Max (A Carter Brother series Book 4)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “What did I do now?’’ I ask, looking around at their faces. When Granddad, Maverick and Joan are together you know I’ve done something. Although, I can’t think of a reason why they’d willingly invite Myles when they know we do nothing but argue when I’ve been in trouble. The only thing is, I can’t think of what I’ve done. “If this is about the hole in the wall, I told you, I’ll fix it.’’

  “Just sit down, son. We need to talk to you about something really important and we need you to hear us out,’’ Granddad says softly like he’s talking a Rottweiler down from biting a chunk out his ass.

  Shit, he looks really serious. What the fuck could they possibly need to talk…

  Oh shit!

  “Oh my God! You’re knocked up?’’ I gasp in horror, staring at Joan before turning my accusing eyes to Granddad. “How many times? If you’re not going to sack it, go home and whack it? And how many times have you told me no balloon, no party? Fuck! I can’t have an uncle or auntie younger than me,’’ I ramble, thinking about what people would say when they found out.

  “Shut up and sit down,’’ Joan snaps, rolling her eyes at me.

  She seems to be taking the news better than most women her age would.

  “Love it when you talk dirty,’’ I wink, taking a seat. “But seriously, when are you due?’’

  “Max!’’ Myles shouts, shutting me up. “She’s not fucking pregnant.’’

  “Touché,’’ I sing, holding my hands up in surrender.

  “Just listen to your grandfather,’’ Joan says, gesturing to my granddad who now has his head in his hands.

  “Alright. Alright,’’ I tell her, officially all ears.

  “With the twins arriving in no time, Joan and I were thinking about space. The house next door has-”

  “Holy crap! You’re kicking us out? Is it because of the hole in the wall? I told you I was going to fix it. And plus, how much room can two mini Malik’s take up?’’ I argue, outraged.

  “Now, now, dear. Firstly, watch your language. Secondly, we’re not kicking you out,’’ she begins and my body relaxes back down in my chair. “We’ve bought the Davis’ old house.’’

  My mind immediately goes back to the comments she made when I left the house. It all starts to make sense.

  “Well, that explains the cranky bitch’s comment when I walked out the house before.’’

  “They’re not exactly happy we’ve bought the property,’’ Granddad explains with a grimace.

  “Mark, darling, it’s not our fault their landlord is selling the property or that they couldn’t keep up with the rent. They’ve given him grief for years,’’ Joan says, her hand rubbing soothingly over Granddad’s hand.

  “Bollox. If they give you any shit, let me know. I can take the bitch down,’’ I say before pausing. “Okay, I’ll get someone else to take the bitch down.’’

  “Max, heaven, language,’’ she warns.

  “Max is right. Not about taking her out, but if there is any trouble you need to let us handle it,’’ Maverick adds. As soon as the words leave his mouth it gives me a sense of pride. I sit up straighter in my chair, a smirk playing on my lips. It’s good to be right. But it’s fucking amazing when your brother announces it.

  Yeah, take that.

  “Okay,’’ Granddad agrees, nodding his head.

  “Not to put a damper on the issue but the Davis’ place is a shithole. Not really a place to bring up two babies. It’s a health hazard,’’ Myles tells us.

  “Look at you getting all social worker on us,’’ I grin, getting a glare from Myles.

  “Oh, that’s why we wanted to meet with you boys. It will be you three moving into the Davis’ place,’’ Joan smiles.

  “What? You said you weren’t kicking us out. You can’t make me move. I’m not good with change,’’ I cry out.

  “You have a new girl in your bed most nights,’’ Myles mutters, looking displeased.

  “Not lately,’’ Joan mentions, sounding smug above her cup of tea.

  “What can I say? I like variety but that doesn’t mean I can move. I just can’t,’’ I explain.

  “You moved into Malik’s old room the minute he started packing,’’ Maverick adds, putting his pennyworth in.

  “That’s not the same,’’ I snap, sending him a glare.

  “The sale is still going through,’’ Granddad explains, trying to ease the tension.

  “So there’s still a chance we can stay?’’ I grin, feeling better.

  “No, son. We’ve got the house. The Davis’ have just over a month left to move out. When they’re gone you boys can start the renovations.’’

  “So why can’t Malik and Harlow move in?’’ I ask.

  “Because they’ll want everything ready for before the babies come. We can’t risk the house not being ready in time. You can live there if necessary, if the work isn’t done. Plus, Joan and I think it will better for them to be close by. They’ll need help with the babies.’’

  “Whatever. We just built a freaking house,’’ I grumble, feeling grumpy.

  “Mason and I built a house,’’ Maverick amends.

  “Whatever,’’ I yell. “I watched you build it. I don’t want to have to do that again.’’

  “So you’ll move in here then. You can take Harlow’s room,’’ Joan tells me.

  “You’d do anything just to spend time with me wouldn’t you, Joan?’’ I tease.

  “It’s you that doesn’t want to move. This is the only other option you have. There will be rules. No staying out late. No loud music. And you’ll have restrictions on your computer games. I know how much they cost to run.’’

  “Fixing a house up actually seems like a fun idea,’’ I add quickly, smiling.

  “So it’s settled,’’ Joan claps excitedly. “We haven’t told Malik and Harlow the good news yet. We’re meeting with them later. We wanted to run it by you three first.’’

  “We won’t say anything. I know Malik will be thrilled having not to worry about where to live. He’s been bending over backwards to raise money. His talk of dropping out of college is really pissing me off,’’ Maverick tells us as my phone starts ringing.

  Seeing Lake’s number flashing on the screen has my heart skipping a beat. I haven’t spoken to her since Sunday morning after our argument. Should I answer it? What would I say?

  “Are you going to answer that?’’ Myles snaps groaning. Poor lad. He hasn’t gotten over his hangover from last week.

  “Um, yeah,’’ I stutter, getting up from the chair. I move out of the room, leaving the four of them to talk about arrangements. “Hello?’’

  “Max?’’

  “Antonio?’’ I answer surprised. What the fuck is he doing with Lake’s phone?

  “Yeah. Lake is…’’

  “Is she hurt?’’

  “What? No!’’

  “Oh my God, has some lad tried it on with her. I’m telling you now, if he so much as lays a finger on my girl, I’ll knock his teeth down his throat.’’

  “No, Max,’’ he says sounding frustrated.

  “What then? You’re killing me,’’ I growl.

  “Well, she’s um, she’s drunk. I think you’d better come and get her. She won’t leave,’’ he says, sounding sad. I know he cares deeply for Lake. They’ve built a relationship over the time they’ve known each other. Can’t say I blame him. Everyone has mentioned more than once that she’s been acting differently.

  “I’ll be there in fifteen,’’ I tell him before ending the call. “Fuck,’’ I hiss, wondering what the fuck I’m going to tell her. She needs to know what I found out. There’s no way I can’t tell her. She’ll hate me forever if I don’t and for some reason my chest hurts just imagining her hating me.

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  MAX

  Walking into the bar I spot Lake immediately. She’s hunched over the bar with her hand waving an empty glass in the air.

  Shaking my head I make my way over. Antonio
walks out of the kitchen just as I’m coming up behind Lake.

  “Max, what a surprise,’’ he smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes as his gaze reaches Lake.

  She spins around on her stool with a wide smile on her face. But it doesn’t match the sadness swimming in her eyes.

  “Max,’’ she shouts, causing a few people sitting at nearby tables to turn and look. “Heard you’re like a stallion in bed,’’ she giggles, confusing me.

  “That I am,’’ I chuckle dryly.

  “I know!’’ she huffs loudly. “Christie told me all about it. How you were with her on Tuesday night. How magical it was for you and how much you were meant to be together,’’ she sings like she’s reciting poetry.

  “Who the fuck is Christie?’’ I ask confused. I went with Liam to a party on Tuesday but left after a few minutes of arriving. The place just wasn’t my scene anymore. I wanted to be at home with Lake, curled up in bed watching some lame ass movie.

  “Don’t worry. She still wants you, she’s over there,’’ she giggles looking at something behind me.

  I turn around looking in the direction she’s pointing in and find Christie Harold sitting with a few of her mates. Her brother is the biggest dickhead I know. We went to school together and never got on. I had won captain on the football team at school and found out that Brad was taking drugs. The P.E teacher found out before I could tell him and all hell broke loose. He blamed me ever since. Like I give a fuck. I never even corrected him when he thought it was me who grassed him up.

  As for Brad’s sister, I’ve never even talked to the bitch. She’s a year younger than me, that’s all I know.

  “Wait here,’’ I growl and prowl over to their table. Christie’s head pops up and her eyes widen when she sees me. I’m pretty sure the angry pissed off look I’ve got going on is telling her the reason I’m here.

  “Why the fuck are you telling people we slept together?’’ I growl, my voice raised.

  “Because we did,’’ she smiles sweetly, her cheeks turning pink.

  “No, we didn’t,’’ I growl, sounding pissed.

  “Max, you don’t need to lie anymore. It happened,’’ she tells me and I can’t believe the little cow is lying right to my face.

  Her friends all giggle, whispering to each other as they look on curiously. An idea forms and I smile sweetly at Christie. Her expression immediately becomes wary and I smirk.

  “You’re right,’’ I smile, gaining the full attention of her friends. Now that they’re all ears I smirk evilly, watching Christie take a huge gulp. “I just didn’t think you’d want everyone to know that you screamed your brother’s name when I made you come. You said you felt ashamed and didn’t want people to know about your incest activities.’’

  Her friends gasp in shock; their eyes locking on their friend. Christie stands up, her face scrunching up in anger.

  “What? No. He’s lying,’’ she tells her friends quickly before turning her glare towards me.

  “Now, now, Christie. You don’t need to be ashamed. It was an okay night,’’ I shrug.

  “We didn’t even sleep together,’’ she shouts, throwing her hands up in the air.

  Her friends gasp again. Christie looks down at the table looking ashamed.

  “My work here is done,’’ I smirk. “Ladies,’’ I nod to her friends before walking off.

  “You’re a prick. Who would want to sleep with you anyway?’’ she shouts at my retreating back.

  I ignore her bitchiness and carry on walking towards the bar where Lake is sitting open mouthed.

  “Now that that’s settled, how about you tell me why you’re here getting drunk out of your mind?’’

  “I wanted to have some fun,’’ she tells me defensively.

  “Liar,’’ I whisper, leaning in close. The smell of her strawberry shampoo has me wanting to pull her closer. I love her scent. She always smells good.

  “Taxi is outside,’’ Antonio tells us, interrupting mine and Lake’s stare off.

  “Thanks, man. Come on piss head. Let’s get you home.’’

  “I don’t have a home,’’ she moans. I pull her into my arms and her arms wrap around my neck with no hesitation before shoving her face into my neck. “I want another drink. I love Malibu. It’s yummy,’’ she giggles.

  “We’ll see in the morning if it’s still ‘yummy,’’’ I chuckle.

  “I will. I really, really will,’’ she tells me. The feel of her lips against my neck and the feel of her breath whispering across my skin is sending chills down my spine. I have to bite back a groan when my dick twitches.

  Not now, Big Max. Not now.

  “In you get,’’ I tell her as I set her in the taxi. I walked here but didn’t want to risk an accident on the way back if I let her walk in the state she’s in. It would probably be better if I let her walk the alcohol off but I just want to get her back home.

  “No, you get in,’’ she pouts, looking cute when I put her back down on her feet.

  “Well, I will when you get in. Ladies first,’’ I smirk.

  “Then by all means, I’ll get in,’’ she huffs, her back straightening. She doesn’t even make it a step inside the taxi before she’s tripping over her own shadow.

  “Easy there,’’ I chuckle, grabbing her hips. Her body melts against me causing me to tighten my hold against her. Once she’s steady I lift her by her hips and help her into the waiting taxi.

  “Not easy,’’ she mumbles, then looks to the taxi driver with a stern expression. “I’m not. I’m definitely not easy. He’s easy. A girl only has to say you, me, and he’s on it like a car bonnet.’’

  I laugh when I notice the old man driving blush, not answering the drunken fool. I ignore her, giving the poor bloke my address.

  “Easy there, tiger. We’re not in Gone In 60 Seconds,’’ Lake giggles. “SIXTY SECONDS,’’ she bursts out. “That’s how long you last, isn’t it, Max?’’

  My head whips around to her, my amusement washed away by her words. “No, I fucking do not. I’ll have you know I can last a long time,’’ I defend myself.

  “What? It’s like 4,3,2,1 in bed with you,’’ she giggles, using another movie quote.

  “Hardy hah,’’ I mutter, then notice the taxi driver grinning in the rearview mirror. “I last longer, I swear. I can call around and prove it.’’

  “He could. He’s been around the block,’’ Lake snorts.

  “No, I haven’t. I’ve just had a few… more than a few relations.’’

  “Relations?’’ she snorts again, a hiccup escaping her, making her sound cute.

  “Well, I can’t say fucked. My Granddad and Joan would have my balls if they knew I had spoken like that to someone their own age.’’

  “You do have ‘Monster Balls’,’’ she giggles, throwing her head back like she’s been told the funniest joke.

  “What is with the movie quotes?’’ I grumble, hating that the taxi driver is laughing quietly. Probably at my monster balls. And the fact he thinks I only last sixty seconds.

  “Why do we do anything? Why tomorrow? Why today? Why yesterday?’’

  “Now what are you talking about?’’ I ask, feeling as lost as ever. The sad look on her face as she eyes me causes my chest to ache. She looks so fucking lost and it’s not even me talking crap. I want to reach out and hold her but I have a feeling she’ll either pull away and it will kill me or she’ll pounce on me and we’ll fuck, for longer than sixty seconds, and she’ll end up regretting it in the morning. Either way I don’t fucking win.

  “Life sucks. It really sucks. Me and Malibu came to the conclusion that life isn’t for me. I should have ended everything when my life turned to shit.’’

  “Don’t say that,’’ I snap, feeling angry towards the long haired beauty for the first time. “Never fucking say that.’’

  “Why? Because it’s wrong? Because there are people out there who would love a chance for another day with loved ones? Why? Because right now I’d
happily take one of their places, give them the life I lost.’’

  “SHUT UP!” I roar, gaining her attention. Her back straightens and a sobering look crosses her face.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’m being selfish and ungrateful. I just… What am I going to do?’’ she asks, her eyes watering.

  “First, you’re going to talk to me,’’ I tell her softly, taking her hand in mine. She doesn’t pull away and I relax, letting out of the breath I didn’t realise I had been holding in. “We’re here.’’

  She doesn’t say anything as she waits for me to pay for the taxi. Thankfully Maverick left his wallet out for me this morning in the kitchen: unattended. It was begging to be taken. I wanted to go get a new computer game but ended up at Liam’s instead.

  Helping her out of the taxi, I’m glad she lets me guide her to mine instead of back to Joan’s. I need her to talk to me. Something has being haunting her from the very moment I met her but I knew deep down she didn’t need saving, she just needed someone, anyone to make her feel less lonely.

  “Do you want a glass of water?’’

  “Do you have anything stronger?’’ she sighs, still wearing that lost look in her eyes.

  “Water it is, you rebel,’’ I smirk.

  Once I have her drink poured, we head upstairs to my room for some privacy. I’m not expecting Maverick back until morning and Myles said he was sleeping at Kayla’s.

  “Do you want a t-shirt?’’ I ask her, knowing she hates sleeping in her clothes.

  “Please,’’ she tells me softly.

  I hand her the first t-shirt my hands touch in my drawer and watch her leave to get changed. I make quick work of stripping my clothes off and grabbing a pair of shorts. I turn the television on, leaving the volume low.

  When Lake walks back in wearing my t-shirt my mouth falls open. I’ll never get tired of seeing her in my clothes. It falls loosely to her thighs. She looks like she’s being swallowed. I give her a small smile hoping to ease some of her nerves. Her hands are visibly shaking and her face has turned a shade paler.

  “Are you okay?’’ I ask gently.

  “No, I’m really not okay. I’ve lived for so long believing that a miserable life is what I’m worth but I can’t live like this anymore. I need to pay for what I did,’’ she sighs, looking down at her feet. She still hasn’t moved away from the door and I badly want to get up and take her in my arms. The vibe she’s giving off, though, has me staying sitting on the bed.