Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

That’s my goofball.

Ceecee whisper replies, “You’re the coolest. ”

Tina responds matter-of-factly, “Nuh uh. You’re the coolest. Ice cold, baby. ”

Ceecee sounds full of awe when she asks, “Really?”

Tina replies, “Uh, yeah!” She makes it sound like Duh! “You think I come here to see your uncle or your daddy? Nope. I come here to see your pretty face, angel. ”

Neither of them says anything for a while then Ceecee whispers, “Love you, Tina. ”

Tina responds with a choked, “Love you more, baby. ”

I turn sideways to look at Max. He looks to be in pain. His eyes are bright and he swallows hard.

He turns and creeps back down the hall without a word.

Well, damn.

***

Ceecee is finally asleep and I tiptoe down the hall back to the others.

I see the games have stopped and everyone has taken their usual places on the sofas watching yet another Will Ferrell movie.

Everyone except Max, that is.

I look over to Nik and shoot him a questioning look. He nods his head toward the patio.

I step out to the patio to find Max with both hands on the rail, head slumped down between his shoulders. I touch his arm and ask quietly, “Honey, you wanna tell me what’s bothering you?”

He replies a short and firm, “No. ”

Using my hand to lightly tousle his hair I say, “Okay, honey. But I’m here with open ears if you need ‘em. ”

I’m halfway back to the door when I hear a pained, “You got no idea, babe. ”

I walk back over to him, touch his arm and tell him, “So help me understand. ”

Max swallows hard and says quietly, “You got no idea what it’s like to love someone so much, with all ya freakin’ heart, but she looks exactly like someone you hate. It feels like a cruel reminder every time I look at her I see the face of the person who put her in that fuckin’ chair. ”

Sadness eats away at what’s left of my heart.

Wow. This is the most Max has ever spoken to me about Ceecee and her accident. Nik has since told me the story just so I’d have all the facts and not be completely ignorant about Ceecee’s mom.

I feel honored that Max would let me in.

What Max doesn’t know is that I know a bit about how he feels. Mia looked just like Jace and every day was a reminder of the heartbreak I felt. But then Mia would smile or giggle and I’d also be reminded that Jace was a big fat stupid head to leave that behind.

Wrapping my arms around his waist, I squeeze and rest my forehead on his back.

We stay like this a long time before I break away and give him some time alone.

As I reach the door I look back to my damaged friend and pray that someday he’ll find love again.

***

Saturday night comes and all us girls are itching to get to the club.