Sugar Rush (Friend-Zoned 3)

My nose bunches. I whisper back heatedly, “I’m not a cupcake.”

Leaning closer, our noses almost touch. His warm eyes look directly into mine. “But you smell like one.”

James’ eyes dart back and forth between us. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”

But Max waves a hand at him. “It’s fine. I’m totally cool with it. She needs to learn, and she knows Ceecee, so let’s do it.”

James looks uncertain. “Well, if you’re sure…” He looks over at me.

I concede with a nod. “Yeah, everything’s fine.”

James smiles. “Okay then. What did you need to see me about, Max?”

Max gets right to the point. “I need help with Ceecee. She’s not exercising, not stretching. She keeps getting cramps and spasms, and she tries to hide them from me. I mean, I’m not stupid, ya know? I know what pain looks like. I don’t know what to do anymore, Whit.” He bites the inside of his lip in a childlike gesture. His tone makes my chest pang. “She’s breakin’ my heart, man.”

James’ face immediately shows concern. “She’s not doing her stretches?”

Max shakes his head slowly. “Last time I saw her initiate any form of exercise was about four weeks ago, so I’ve been trying to get involved, ya know? Like, I try to make it daddy/daughter time, something we can do together, but ninety percent of the time, she ends up angry with me. She’ll leave in a huff. She barely talks to me anymore.”

James takes a moment to process this, then nods. “Okay. We need to get her moving again or she’s just going to keep cramping, and that kind of discomfort is bound to make anyone cranky. How about we get her back here twice a week until I see some improvement?”

Max lifts his arms to rest them on top of his head. His eyes close in relief. “Yes. Yes, please. She’s driving me nuts. She knows what she needs to do, I just…” Surprisingly, he looks over to me. “I just don’t know what to do anymore. She’s shutting me out.”

I feel the pain in his voice. Part of me wishes I could wrap my arms around him and hug him until the pain melts away with my warm embrace. But that would be insane, so I’ll just sit here, staring back at him with a blank expression on my face.

Nice.

James pulls up his schedule. “I had a cancellation this morning. I can get her in as early as tomorrow afternoon, right after school.”

Max quickly stands and reaches over the desk to take James’ hand in an enthusiastic shake. “I owe you, man. Thanks. We’ll be here tomorrow around three.”

I don’t even think he realizes he does it, but Max turns, leans down, kisses me on top of my head, and then leaves. The place where he kissed me warms, and I want to feel that warmth on my lips.

As soon as he leaves, James asks me, “You sure this isn’t going to be uncomfortable for you?”

I lie through my teeth. “Not at all.”

***

Helena

Max was on my mind all afternoon. I saved his phone number from the voicemails he left me. I was so tempted to call, or message, or something. I heard his voice when he spoke about Ceecee. He looked right at me. Into me. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believe someone like the flirty, carefree Max I had built up in my mind was capable of such deep emotion. And it seriously rocked something inside of me.

I’m a judgey bitch. That’s what it comes down to. I want to change. I made a vow to myself today. I would stop judging and start accepting. What happened with Max at Nat’s wedding happened. I’m willing to accept I was bitter. My bitterness was caused by rejection, whether he knew it or not. But he was right. Our friends and families are interwoven, and to hold a grudge over something so stupid is, well, stupid.

We can be friends. I can do this. It won’t be hard. Not at all. So what if he looks like a god and smells like the tears of Jesus? Pffft! No problem. We got this. I just have to make sure he never knows I considered him my fantasy fling for a long, long time. And that will be a cinch. I never told my sisters. Hell, I never told anyone!

Speaking of dream guys…

Stepping out of the shower, I wrap a towel around my hair, and then myself. I throw open the door and head over to my hand luggage. The zip comes open with a sharp tug and I see him. I breathe, “Johnny.”

My hands are gentle as I undo the rubber band securing my main man. As soon as I see his face, I break into a smile. But his face is not impressed. My stomach muscles clench. “Don’t look at me like that. I’ve been busy.” I swear, his brow rises, marginally. I swear it. I huff out an annoyed, “Yeah, well, some of us have jobs, Johnny.” I don’t like the attitude I’m being given. “You wanna stay in the freaking luggage?” If he could roll his eyes, he would.

I unravel him and lay him on my bed. I towel myself off. My gaze veers to the bed to find the upper-half of the poster curls up, so he’s looking at my naked body. My nose bunches. “Perv.”

I dress in jeans and a black tee that reads ‘Classy, sassy, and smart assy’, which was a gag gift from Nina for my last birthday. Being that I’m actually wearing it would bring her to tears. I was mean to be offended. I love it!

Slipping on my white sneakers and placing my phone in my back pocket, I’m just about to head out the door when I spot the mini whiteboard Max left on my kitchen counter. And my heart sinks. It takes me no more than a second before I pick up the whiteboard and head out of my apartment. I ring the bell at apartment 309.