“I wish y’all would act like you have some sense.” Max shook his head.
“I have sense, Max. I have sense enough to know that Cane couldn’t care less where I am or who I am with.”
I retrieved the sneakers from my Jeep and locked it back up. Kari took them with one hand and wiped her face with the end of her shirt with the other.
“I can’t believe you are going to hike in this. You’re going to die of heat stroke. You’re a nurse. Don’t they teach you this stuff?”
“We changed our minds and are going back home,” Kari said. “When will you be there?”
“I was just going to order a sandwich, so maybe an hour?” I glanced at the restaurant and saw Simon watching us. He looked away quickly.
Max followed my eyes to the window, his jaw tensing. “Why don’t you come home now?”
“Because I’m hungry.” I let out a sigh, having had enough of stupid men for one day. “I’ll be there soon.”
“Jada,” Max said, running his hand over his chin, “I would really prefer it if you would follow us back.”
“Yeah, well, thanks for the misplaced concern. But I’m a big girl, Max.”
“I never said you weren’t. But even big girls need someone to look after them.”
“I have no idea what’s going on. But after the day I’ve had, I don’t have the energy to even try to figure it out. I am going to go back inside and have a bite to eat and I will be home when I feel like it. See you guys later.”
I turned to go, but the force of Max’s voice stopped me in my tracks. “Jada …”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before turning around to face him. “What?”
“Cane’s going to ask me if I have seen you today. I guarantee you that.”
“No. He won’t. Because he doesn’t care.”
Max grinned. “He will. He asks about you every day.”
My heart stilled in my chest and I had to make a concerted effort to find my anger again. I shook my head. “He doesn’t really care, Max. Trust me. I’m just another notch to put on his headboard.”
“Apparently he’s pissed you off today. I know the feeling—he’s pissed me off every motherfucking day since I met him.” Max’s face softened, a grin touching his handsome face. “So if you don’t want to go home because of him—don’t. But I’d like to think you and I are friends, so do it as a favor to me.”
Max watched me intently, twisting his New Orleans Saints cap around backwards. Kari looked from one of us to the other, her arms crossed in confusion.
“You guys give me a headache,” I muttered and stormed towards the restaurant to get my purse.
I wasn’t sure what Max’s point was, but I knew firsthand how exhausting Cane could be. And I was kind of exhausted myself. Home sounded better and better.
“You better have food for me! And rum!” I yelled over my shoulder, Max’s chuckle following me into the diner.
JADA
The hot water rained down on me, pelting my back. I let it knead the muscles that were taut with stress.
The water rolled down the drain and I wished it could take me with it. At least until I could make sense of my life. I didn’t want to run—not like I did after the divorce. I just wanted an escape. I needed a reprieve from the confusion and frustration that found me the same day I met Cane.
I jumped out of the shower, threw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, and went to the kitchen. Max had his arms wrapped around Kari from behind, his head bent into the hollow of her neck.
“You better tell me you got me something to eat,” I warned, catching them off guard.
“That was the deal. I’m a man of my word.” Max motioned towards the table and at a bag of takeout … and a bottle of Bacardi.
“I could kiss your faces right now!” I said, catching myself. “Well, not you, Max.”
“Hey,” Max smiled, holding his hands up, “if that’s what y’all are into …”
Kari smacked his chest and he pulled her back into him, making her giggle.
I grabbed a seat and unpacked the contents of the bag, my stomach rumbling. The hot, greasy smell was way more appetizing than it should have been.
“Flowers? What’s up with this?” Kari asked curiously, spotting the vase full of tulips that I had sat by the sink. She walked over and picked up the note, a silly smile on her face.
“Cane sent you flowers!?” she gushed. “How sweet!”
I sat my burger down, my appetite beginning to wane. “No—Lucy sent me flowers. He was very clear about that.”
Kari looked as confused as I felt. “This card is very sweet, Jada. And very personal. This doesn’t sound like something he would have Lucy say. And who is Lucy, by the way?” She laughed at her own question.
“His secretary,” I sighed, glancing up at Max who was taking everything in. “What’s up with your friend, Max? Has he always been such a dick?”