It’s… strange. It’s as though he’s here purely to be helpful.
“Come on,” I say, hoping he can’t hear. “He’s been fine. He showed up at Nate’s place this morning not realizing we were moving today and as soon as Nate explained what was going on, he jumped at the opportunity. He’s just being helpful.”
“Since when are you team Maxen?” she scoffs as Kaylah presses her lips together and makes herself busy minding her own business.
“I’m not team Maxen, but I’m not going to ignore the fact that he’s been a perfect gentleman today. The least you could do is say thank you and offer him a glass of water.”
Brooke rolls her eyes and looks away. “Perfect gentleman?” she scoffs. “I don’t think so. He’s up to something and besides, I didn’t ask for his help, so why don’t you offer him a glass of water?”
“Are you kidding?” I scoff.
“Dead serious,” she snaps. “I don’t trust him and after what he did to me, I don’t owe him a damn thing.”
I let out a heavy breath. “Fine, I’ll do it,” I say, turning around and heading to the cupboard which we only just finished filling. I grab a few glasses before remembering mom brought a carton of bottled water with her.
I fill my arms and pockets with bottles and trudge outside, hoping I don’t drop any on the way. The second I step outside, I’m hit in the face with the scorching heat. I mean, who chose today to be moving day? That was stupid.
Bottles start slipping from my fingers and I’m thankful when Jesse catches me by the door. He takes a few from my hands and launches two across the front yard. “Yo, heads up,” he calls out.
Tyson looks up just in time to catch the bottle before it hits him in the face, but Nate isn’t so lucky with the massive box in his hand, choosing to get hit with a grunt rather than drop the massive box.
I hand another bottle to Jesse before going over and giving one to Max. He gives me a thankful nod and I continue on to Nate, picking up the bottle that lays at his feet as he carefully places the box down.
I hand him the water and he puts an arm around me before pulling me in tight against his body. “Ewww,” I shriek, trying to pull away. “You’re all sweaty.”
“Really?” he grins, holding me tighter.
“Yes,” I laugh. “Let me go.”
He brings his water bottle up and cracks it open with his teeth. “Do you think I need a shower?”
My eyes widen, realizing what he’s about to do. I squirm, desperately trying to get away but with the laughter pouring out of me and his steel grip around my waist, it’s near impossible. “Don’t you dare.”
“What are you talking about, babe?” he grunts, bringing the bottle up above my head and then smirking as he brings it to his lips, teasing me.
“Don’t,” I warn him with a screech, still trying to get my hands upon his chest to force myself away.
“Don’t what?” he grins. “Don’t do this?”
In the blink of an eye, he brings the water bottle up and tips it over my head, even going as far as to squeeze the bottle to make it empty faster. We both get drenched in the process and while I’m still screeching and shrieking, I’m also overcome with uncontrollable laughter.
The rest of the guys come and join in while Nate and Jesse do their best to hold me still. “I’m going to kick your asses.”
“What the hell is going on out here?” Brooke’s voice calls from the front door.
I manage to see through Tyson and Jesse’s arms to see Brooke and Kaylah, standing by the door, grinning at my misfortune. Only their grins are wiped away when Maxen turns around and locks eyes with Brooke. Her face falls and not a moment later, she’s screeching and running across our new yard, trying her best to get away from him as Kaylah steps back inside the safety of the house and discreetly locks the door.
The bottles quickly empty of water, but Brooke isn’t so lucky. Maxen catches her around the waist and I have to admit, it’s nice to see the look of pure enjoyment on her face, making me wonder what kind of feelings still linger there.
They go crashing down and Max protectively catches her so she doesn’t hit the ground too hard. They laugh along with everyone else, until silence.
Brooke looks up at him as he watches her with his heart on his sleeve.
A pause.
A breath.
His hand squeezes her waist
Maxen breaks his hold and looks away. “Sorry,” he murmurs low as he scrambles off her. He offers her a hand up and she reluctantly takes it as her eyes shoot to mine, silently telling me that we’ll be dissecting this very moment all night over a glass of wine.