“I knew he needed to leave,” she answered, her face heating with the memories. “He was very clear on what our relationship would be when we agreed to this. I can’t expect hugs and kisses afterward.”
“That’s what you wanted?”
Not exactly. It had been a very long time since she’d experienced cuddles after sex, so she wasn’t expecting it now. Grace would have liked Max to have stayed a little while longer, of course, because seeing him rush out the door, although expected, had been hard. Not that she’d ever tell him. No, instead, the following day, she’d woken Max at the boardinghouse with coffee and a muffin and dragged him out on their run. Normal routine was important for both of them. It was pretty clear that Grace wasn’t the only one of them who had the potential to freak out.
“Grace,” Nina said softly. “Getting close to Max, being his friend is one thing. Having a sexual relationship and allowing yourself to feel more is something else entirely. My question is, are you really ready and, just as important, is Max?”
Grace sighed, not having an answer. “You’re saying I shouldn’t allow myself to feel something for him?”
“No, Grace,” Nina said, her blue eyes careful behind her red spectacles. “I’m saying I want you to remember that you’re both brittle creatures who’ve been through a lot of trauma. To remember that it isn’t your job to fix everyone and not everyone wants fixing. I’m saying I want you to prepare yourself for what may happen here.”
Her point was unspoken yet clear: he’ll break your heart, Grace.
But, honestly, Grace couldn’t have cared less.
“Oh my God,” Max complained with a shake of his head as he stood outside the coffee shop. “Did you have to bring him with you?”
Tate laughed while crossing the street toward Max and glanced over to Riley at his side.
“Come here, you motherfucker!” Riley called out before, with a loud whoop, he took off at speed.
Max braced himself for the impact, knowing how heavy and solid Riley was. The air in Max’s body burst from him in a resounding oomph when Riley connected, wrapping him in a huge bear hug and tilting them to the side. Max only just managed to stay on his feet and keep his aviator shades on his face while cursing the bastard up and down.
“I missed you, too, you ugly shit,” Riley said with a laugh, ruffling Max’s hair.
Max pushed him away with a chuckle and shook Tate’s hand. “Good to see you.”
“You, too,” Tate replied, slowly lifting a suspicious eyebrow. “You look well and . . .” He cocked his head. “Decidedly pleased with yourself.”
Riley gasped, not missing a beat. “You got laid?”
Max laughed at the two apparently telepathic brothers standing there like peas in a damn pod with their hugeness and wide, smiling faces. If Riley didn’t have his beard and Tate’s hair was longer, they’d easily pass for twins.
“Sweet Jesus,” Max grumbled, pushing past them. “Can we eat before we start this kind of talk? I’m starved.”
“Ha!” Riley exclaimed, following Max through the door. “See, that right there, Tate, is your customary O’Hare blow-off. He’s hiding something.”
“Or someone,” Tate added at his side. Max turned to his sponsor to see him surveying the customers already seated with their drinks and food. “Where’s Running Girl?”
“Who’s Running Girl?” Riley asked with a grin.
“Her name is Grace, as I recall.”
“Nice. She hot?”
“Smokin’ hot,” Tate answered, biting his lip. He waved toward Max. “These two are ‘running partners,’ apparently.”
Riley scoffed. “Yeah. I’ve had lots of those.”
“I met her when she was trussed up in her gear,” Tate continued.
Riley made an obscene noise. “Tight running pants?”
“The tightest.”
“Nice ass?”
“Epic. Shapely, you know, tiny waist, wide hips, and these lips that just—”
“Okay!” Max yelled as loud as was appropriate in a coffee shop on a Saturday afternoon. He waved his hands in a large T shape. “Time-out!” The brothers smiled at him in satisfaction, arms crossed over their chests. Max dropped his hands to his sides already exhausted. “Fuck. Are you always like this when you’re together?”
“You wanna be around when it’s the four of us,” Riley snorted before adding reverently, “It’s beautiful.”
“Four Moore brothers,” Max retorted, pulling his shades off. “Christ, your poor mother. I’m amazed she hasn’t been committed.”
“There’s time yet,” Tate said, nonchalantly patting Max on the shoulder. “So, come on, what’s the deal?”
Max shook his head stubbornly. He ordered his coffee and his sandwich and, once he’d paid, he sat down with his tray at his usual spot, allowing himself a quiet moment to think about Grace and what she was doing in DC. She’d been gone a couple of days and, even with a few texts sent between them and Max keeping himself busy working with his uncle and painting, her absence was still noticeable. He wasn’t sure he liked it all that much.