Thick thigh muscles pop as he moves, his cock long, and wide as it hangs between his legs. He's a forgotten Greek god, one that needs a place in the history books.
Tugging on his boxers, he passes me my clothes. Max crawls up the bed and takes me into his arms. Holding me close, he runs the edge of his fingertips up and down my arm.
“Prairie, I really need you to listen to me. You have to stay away from me, it's for your own safety. It's too dangerous with me, you're not safe.”
“Why?”
“Because of Harlow, why do you think?”
“But he's in jail.”
His eyes meet mine, and I know instantly what he's going to say.
“He's out early.”
Harlow scares me. Max never made me feel fear like his brother does. His eyes are different, they're darker, they're evil.
“Oh,” I say, not sure how to process the news.
Pinching my chin between his fingers, he tips my head up. “Look, it's because I love you that I don't want to see anything happen to you. You need to trust me.”
Did I hear him right? Did he just say he loves me?
“You love me?” I ask, leery if my ears are wrong.
“I love you. And I won't let anyone hurt you, not even Harlow. But, I really need you to just stay away for a bit, let me fix things.”
My eyes hold his and I can't stop the smile on my face from spreading. “I love you too.” Tracing a single finger up and down his chest, I nod. “And I'll give you space if you need it. Just promise me one thing.”
“What's that?”
“Promise me you'll still go to prom with me.”
“I can do that. I promise, I'll be there.”
The sound of rocks popping and an engine float through the open window.
Max's eyes fly open wide as he jumps from the bed to peek outside. “Fuck, Harlow's home. You need to go, come on, you got to get out of here.” He throws me my shoes, and tugs on a pair of basketball shorts.
I can see the panic and fear on his face. He isn't fucking around.
It's the first time I see true emotion on his face. The strain, the hurt, the anger, Max is tired.
He's watching his door and listening. “Come on, come on, hurry up.” Rolling his hand, he's urging me to get the hell out.
Quickly moving to the window, I sit on the ledge and dangle my feet outside. “See you tomorrow, Ramon.” I say, leaning in, and kissing his cheek.
Max smiles as he watches me drop down to the grass outside his window and disappear into the night. I stop at the tree line, turning to take one last look over my shoulder.
Harlow is in the doorway, his gaze searching behind Max, curious and unsure.
I don't know what Max is telling him, but I know we'll never make it if we have to spend our lives tiptoeing around his brother.
I'm not going to worry about that right now, because it really doesn't matter. Max loves me. He said the last three words I thought I would ever hear come out of his mouth.
And I love him.
There's nothing else we need.
We'll make it.
13
Prairie
Closing my locker, I jump in surprise. “Shit, Amy! You scared me.”
Amy giggles as she leans against the locker next to mine. “Sorry, my bad. So. . .” she says, her lips perched into a tight smirk as she draws out the word.
“So. . . what?”
“Aren't you going to ask me?”
Pressing my books against my chest, I start to walk toward class, and she follows me. “Ask you what?”
Amy closes her eyes and tips her head back. “Who I'm going to prom with.”
“Is it—”
“Is it Bentley? You bet your ass it is.” She spins halfway around, so she's facing me as we walk. “I told you, I told he would ask me. It's all about planting the seed, and letting it grow.” Amy winks, taking a quick glance back over her shoulder to see where she's walking.
“Congratulations.” Giving her a smile, I nod. “And not too late either, just in time.”
“What time am I picking you up?”
Frowning, I stop in the middle of the hall. “I think I'm going to drive in with Max. You don't mind, do you? I'm sorry, I should have said something before.”
“No, no, it's fine, really.” She pouts her lips as she bats her lashes. “I'm just your best friend, took you under my wing, made you who you are. It only took four months, but hey, it's fine.”
“Amy. . .” My voice is soft, full of apology. “I just—”
She laughs, giving me a playful shove. “I'm kidding you, Prairie, it's fine. Seriously, I don't mind at all.”
“Thanks.”
“So, how is bad boy Ramon? I heard his brother got out of the can.”
“Yeah, he's home I guess. And Max is good, I think.” Rocking my head back and forth, I shrug lightly.
I honestly don't know how he is. He's barely speaking to me. I get generic answers, and our conversations seem to only superficial. Max told me he loves me, but the way he's been behaving makes me wonder if he even knows what that word means.
He rushes me off the phone, gives me one word answers, and simple text messages. I'm giving him space, just like I told him I would. I just didn't expect a damn ocean to open between us.
“You think?” Cocking a brow, she pulls me over into the nook with the bubbler. “What's going on? I thought you guys were good. I thought he said the L word?”
“We are, and he did, it's just. . .” Pausing, I exhale a long breath. “He's been different since Harlow got out. He's not himself, at least not the guy I know.” Laying my head back against the concrete wall, I close my eyes. “He's distant. It's like I'm talking to him, but he isn't actually there. You know what I mean?”
Amy leans over and takes a drink from the fountain. “I hate to burst whatever bubble you put him in, but Max has never really been much of a talker, or a people person for that matter,” she says, wiping her mouth with the back of her wrist. My expression falls flat as I drop my eyes to the floor. Amy places her hand on my shoulder, trying to comfort me. “I'm sorry, Prairie, don't listen to me. Forget I said anything. Seriously, no one should listen to me, I never know what I'm talking about. Really, I'm sorry, I don't want to make you feel bad.”
“It's fine, you don't need apologize for anything. I think I've always known what you've told me about him, I just didn't want to see it.”
“He's still coming to prom tonight, right?” she smiles, it's forced, but I don't mind. I know she's just trying to get me to be realistic about who Max is.
But he says he loves me. That has to mean something.
My heart flutters in my chest, thinking about the look in his eyes when told me those three little words.
Three little words that mean nothing when said separately.
Three little words that have no weight unless combined.
'I love you.' I hear his voice inside my head.
Shaking him away, I answer Amy, “I think so. I haven't seen him today though. Have you?” Pulling my phone from my back pocket, I send him a text.