My stomach sank. What the hellfire? When did Reid decide he was going to pack me up and ship me out?
“Yeah.” Reid nodded. “It’s probably for the best. Her stuff is shit anyways, you know? I can’t imagine her wanting any of it, but just in case.”
Rage pumped through every blood vessel in my body. It was like he was a completely different person.
“All right.” Max sighed. “Maybe you should tell her?”
“Nah, it will be a surprise.”
A surprise? Was he high!
The rest of the plane ride, I stewed like a woman scorned. He’d slept with me, made some sort of archaic wager with his brother over being able to stay in a relationship—and let’s be honest, a week is so not a relationship—and now he was kicking me out, and what? He’s just going to say, “Surprise!” when the guest room is packed up and my pillows are already in my new apartment?
He’s probably going to want me to thank him.
Like hell.
I kept choking on the lump in my throat as stupid tears stung the back of my eyes. I would not cry.
Not in front of him.
He didn’t deserve the tears.
Or the ego kick he’d get at seeing how hung up I really was on him. Good thing I wasn’t in love with him.
Good thing.
My heart pounded painfully against my chest.
Yup. Good thing I wasn’t in love.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
REID
As luck would have it, the minute we landed, my agent called and said I was needed on set for one last scene. The kissing scene, the same one I’d been having trouble with that I nailed last time.
The director wanted one more take, this time with it raining.
Of course.
Nothing more romantic than a kiss in the rain, or so I’ve been told.
“Hey.” I checked my watch, then nudged Jordan. “I need to run to set really quick and shoot a scene. I’m not sure how long it will take, but—”
“No worries.” Jordan flashed a completely fake smile; her eyes didn’t crinkle at the sides and her left eye started that weird twitch thing again. “I have some work to catch up on too.”
“Great.” I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll see you later, all right?” I turned to leave, then stopped and ran back. “Help yourself to some wine while you work. Also, Max is going to need your key.”
“My key?” she repeated, her face paling.
“It’s a surprise. Promise you’ll love it.”
“I’m sure I will,” she said weakly.
“Hey.” I gripped her shoulders. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m just stressed.” She wiped at her eyes. “And you know . . . allergies.”
“In the airport?”
“Yup, it was a thing.” She nodded and wiped at her nose. “It was on the news, mold in JFK. I’m allergic to mold so . . .”
“Right.” Something told me to stay. But being a man, I ignored that something, because what reason would she have to be upset? We’d just spent an amazing weekend together. And when I got home that night, I was going to ask her to move in.
Because the very idea that she would potentially find an apartment and leave me?
Made me want to throw up.
I wanted her.
Forever.
CHAPTER FORTY
JORDAN
I cried the entire way to Reid’s apartment. My stuff was still nicely placed in his guest room.
But I knew it wouldn’t last.
I poured myself a healthy glass of wine.
Chugged it.
Poured another.
Patted Otis on the head.
Then walked over to Max’s apartment, key in hand. I knocked twice before he answered.
“Hey.” Max leaned against the door frame. “What can I do you for?”
I dangled the key in front of his face.
He frowned but didn’t take it.
I grabbed his hand and slammed the key into his palm and tried walking away, but he snatched my wrist and pulled me back. “Have you been crying?”
“No.”
“Drinking?” He sniffed the air around me. “That merlot’s been on his shelf for five years. Pretty sure it costs around five grand.”
I shrugged, not really caring.
“Whole bottle?” Max sighed.
I shrugged again.
He patted my head, then jerked me into his apartment and slammed the door behind him. “Well, I don’t want to say I told you so, but yeah . . . I told you so.”
“I know.” I stared at my feet. “But you had a part in this, don’t deny it!”
Max huffed. “Of course I had a part in it! A part in bringing you two kids together! You should thank me!”
“Thank you?” I screeched, my eyes greedily searching for an object to chuck at his head. “You made a bet! Over our relationship!”
Max frowned.
“And then he got a house! A FREAKING HOUSE!” I grabbed one of his throw pillows and tossed it in his general direction. He ducked. “And when you asked Reid about us he didn’t even say anything!” I chucked another pillow, which this time hit Max square in the face.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Max shook his head. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’m moving!” I shouted loud enough for Otis to hear back in Reid’s apartment.
“I know,” Max said slowly. “But I thought it was a surprise!”