The day everything changed . . . again
Grady sat at the back table of the Pear Tree restaurant, staring at his phone and wondering if he’d made the biggest mistake of his life. That in itself would be impressive given how many screwups he’d been a part of. Still, borrowing money from his father for an investment opportunity had the potential to be amazing—and not just for him. If things went the way he’d hoped, he’d have enough money to support himself and help bolster Ringside Gym. That was, if Max was willing to give him another chance.
Grady had talked things out with his father, and while he had to fight to trust him and knew that it would take a long time for things to become okay between them, maybe they were finally on the right path.
Only time would tell.
Lincoln and Serena were on their honeymoon now and, based on their Facebook posts, were having an amazing time. Justin had come for the wedding, but disappeared as soon as the ceremony was over, no doubt wanting to avoid his father’s wrath. Grady didn’t know where he’d gone off to.
He couldn’t worry about Justin, not when he had a more pressing problem to solve.
How could he reach out to Max.
It wasn’t as though he didn’t know where Max was. Not only did he have his home and work address, he was currently sitting a very short walk away from the gym Max was trying to help get back up and running. The gym that Grady had promised to help pay for as a thank-you for Max taking two weeks out of his life for Grady. The thing that his plan to win Max back hinged on.
Instead of doing what Lincoln had suggested before leaving for his honeymoon and simply going to the bar and talking to Max, Grady had been coming to the Pear Tree for a week, hoping to run into Max somehow. It was the most cowardly way to do it, but he wasn’t ready for anything else.
Because as good as it had felt to walk away from Vancouver and his old life, Grady was terrified. There were so many unknowns now, so many things he had to wrap his head around, that he didn’t know where to start. He’d agreed with his father that the best option was for him to strike out on his own, make his way financially with a fresh start. But that meant learning things the hard way. The hotel he currently called home was far below the normal standard he was used to.
Still, a roof over his head and clean sheets were more important than room service and a well-stocked mini bar. He’d quickly discovered the joys of microwave meals, which were passable at best. Hopefully, he’d solve his job issue quickly so he could go back to eating the way he was accustomed.
Then again, maybe he would never get to that point. Only time would tell.
In the meantime, he was totally going to enjoy his chicken salad and water. Because he was now a responsible adult on a budget.
He was busy stabbing the hell out of a spinach leaf when someone came to stand over his table. Looking up, there was a tall, lanky man with hair that hung a bit too long across the left side of his face. The man’s grin lit up his eyes, and somehow managed to lift Grady’s spirits. “Hello?”
“You’re Grady Barnes.” The man spoke the words with the frenzied excitement that only a true fan possessed. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“It’s me. I’m trying to keep things low profile these days, though I’m always happy to sign an autograph.”
“Yes. I mean, no. You’re Grady Barnes.” The man’s grin was almost manic. “This is turning out to be the best day ever.”
Without warning, the man pulled out the chair opposite Grady’s and sat down. Shit, why did the cute ones always have to be crazy? “I’m sorry, I was eating my lunch. And as much as I love meeting a fan, I’d prefer to have my lunch in peace.”
“Right. You didn’t see me before.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Nolan Carmichael.”
Grady was about to call the waiter over for help, when he stopped. “Nolan?”
“As in Zack and Nolan. From Ringside. We’re friends of Max.”
Oh. Oh! “Nolan. Nice to meet you.” He shook his hand as the tension bled from him. “Sorry, I’ve had a few fans do some crazy shit in the past. You can’t be too careful when meeting strangers.”
Like inviting them to be your fake fiancé.
“It’s fine. I was just so surprised to see you here that I forgot my manners.” He waved to the waiter. “I’m hiding over here.” The waiter nodded. “I’m doing a lunch pickup. Zack is close to nailing down another corporate sponsor for our official launch in a few months. I didn’t want him going anywhere until that was done.”
The niggling guilt about letting Max down came back. “Who is he talking to?”
Nolan rolled his eyes. “Honestly, I don’t know. He’s being all James Bond about the whole thing. I think he’s worried it will fall through and I’ll be disappointed. Which is crazy because this is his dream. I’m just along for the ride.”
They chatted while Nolan waited for his order and Grady picked at his salad. It was wonderful to have a conversation with someone who knew who he was but didn’t have any expectations. The only other time that had happened was when he’d first approached Max.
“Okay, so I’ve been trying to hold back the obvious question. You and Max? I saw the video.”
“Everyone saw that video.” Being in Toronto was a bit less painful than his remaining time in Vancouver had been. Friends and family were only slightly worse than the pitying looks he’d get from strangers on the street.
It was still hard to think about what had happened between them, let alone talk about it to a complete stranger. If nothing else, Nolan knew Max, probably better than he did. It was an opportunity for him to learn some answers to the questions that had been haunting him since he’d left home.
After stabbing a cherry tomato, he held it halfway to his mouth and stared at it. “I was an idiot.”
Nolan shrugged. “From what I saw there was lots of idiocy going around that day. I assume you’re here to try and make things right?”
“That was the plan. Well, and to find a job. I’ve been cut off from the family fortune by my father.”
“Ouch.”
“It’s fine. In the end I spoke with my father, and it will be for the best.”
“Ah. Did you think about asking Max for a job?” Nolan paused when the waiter came over with three large bags of takeout. “Thanks.”
Grady waited until the waiter was gone again. “No. I wanted to get everything figured out before I went and saw him. The last thing I wanted was for him to think that I couldn’t handle things on my own.” He shifted in his seat, feeling strangely overwhelmed talking to someone who knew Max better than he did. “I need to do the right thing for him.”
“So you’ve been in the city for how long?”
“Four days.”
“And I assume you’re staying somewhere.”
“A little hole in the wall hotel.”
Nolan sighed, and Grady instantly knew he was being evaluated. “Okay, you need help.”
“I’m more than capable of figuring this out. I came here with a plan to win Max back.”
“Oh?” There was something in Nolan’s voice that told Grady he wasn’t exactly convinced.
“I don’t have money, not of my own. But I have spoken to my father about opening my own business. He’s agreed to front me a business loan, and I can invest it in whatever business opportunity I want.” Grady smiled. “Like a bar. Or a gym.”
Nolan sat up a bit straighter. “And you haven’t spoken to Max about this yet?”
“Not yet. I didn’t know if he’d want me around, let alone inserting myself into his professional life. I would want to invest, but I’d also hope to earn an income. I have a plan in place to repay my father.” Taking a loan from his father might turn out to be the best decision he’d ever made. Or it could turn into a nightmare. He wouldn’t know until he spoke to Max.
“Well, we’re just about ready to open the gym. While we’re not going to do the grand opening for a bit, we can’t afford to keep the doors closed much longer.” Nolan stood up and held out one of the bags. “How about I pay for your lunch, you come with me to Ringside, and I show you around? I could use some help in the office while Zack is doing . . . whatever the hell he’s been doing these days. You can see if the gym is the sort of business you’d be interested in being a part of.”
Grady slowly got to his feet. “I hear a ‘but’ coming.”
“But Max. He’s a silent partner, and while he might not be there every day, he does come by at least once a week. The two of you will need to work out this thing that’s going on between you before you get involved with the gym. You can work there. Hell, we could use the help. As long as you’re willing to use that killer smile of yours to bring some people in.”
The smile stretched across Grady’s face. “I don’t think that will be a problem.”
“Oh good. And I hope you and Max work things out. He’s been grumpy as fuck since he got back. I think he misses you.”
“He said that?”
“Not in so many words. But it’s obvious to anyone who knows him. That spark he always seems to have hasn’t been there.” Nolan poked Grady in the shoulder. “Fix that. I might even give you a raise.”
Max missed him. Maybe things weren’t as far gone as Grady had assumed. “You got it, boss.”
Nolan laughed. “‘Boss’? I’ve never been anyone’s boss before. I’m going to like having you around.”
Max stepped out into the alley behind Frantic, two large bags of garbage in each hand, and was confronted by a patron who’d assumed the oh God I’m going to vomit position. Max smiled, shook his head, and did his best to keep an eye on the man as he got rid of the trash. So far there was no heaving, no acrid scent to turn his stomach. Maybe he’d get lucky for once on a Friday night and not have to deal with this.
Memories of being here—God, was it only a few weeks ago?—seeing Grady for that first time, rushed back. Stepping farther into the alley, Max tried to get a look at the man leaning against the wall. He was about the same height as Grady, same build, but the clothes were all wrong. Nothing more than wishful thinking on his part.
Which meant it was time to be the responsible bar owner. “Are you okay, buddy?”
A smacking sound and the guy lifted his head. “Yup.”
Max was shocked at the force of his own disappointment when it wasn’t Grady’s voice that he heard. “Do you need me to get you someone? Are you here with a friend? Boyfriend?”
“Nope.”
“No, you don’t need me to get you someone? Or no, you’re not here with anyone?”
“Nope.”
It was weird how a short time ago, a similar situation had sent him on an adventure with Grady. His desire to look after everyone but himself had put him on a path that had turned into a journey of self-discovery. After coming home from Calgary, he felt more settled than he had in years. Part of that had to do with the peace that had fallen between him and his father. Finally knowing what had been going on with him had given Max new perspective on a great many things.
He loved his bar. Loved the freedom it allowed him. Maybe he didn’t love vomit and drunks, but those were small irritants. His staff were his family—and the ribbing he’d taken about the breakup video only served to prove it—and the thought of leaving them wasn’t something he’d ever entertain again. Nolan and Zack ran the gym, and he’d continue to be a silent partner, but Frantic was his baby.
Max cleared his throat, hoping to snag the drunk’s attention. “I’m going to go back inside now. How about you come with me so we can get you someplace safer?” At least Cameron had ordered the security cameras for the alley while he’d been gone.
The guy pushed away from the wall, clearly not as bad off as Max had first thought. He wandered back down the alley, as though Max wasn’t there.
Well, you’re welcome.
He watched the guy turn the corner before going back in through the side door. It was shortly after midnight, which meant Max only had a few more hours to get his things done before he’d be able to go home. Funny that the one thing no one bothered to do for him while he’d been away was the paperwork. Hardly seemed fair.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he walked into his office. He jumped when instead of an empty chair in his empty office, he saw Grady sitting there, a smile on his face and a small bouquet of grocery store flowers in his hand.
“Hi.” Grady’s smile wavered, before he jumped to his feet and crossed the room. He held the flowers out to Max. “Umm, I know these aren’t great, but it was all I could afford on a shoestring—”
Max grabbed him by the head and pulled him in for a kiss.
The second their lips connected, Max’s entire world righted. His heart pounded, not from desire, but excitement. Grady was here, here, and no matter what had happened between them, everything would be okay. It had to be, because his body was there and so warm; the familiar scent of aftershave had faded, but Max recognized Grady’s deodorant and it sent little waves of happiness through him.
Grady’s mouth was tense for a few moments before he relaxed into the kiss. If Max had been thinking straight, he no doubt would have realized how awkward this entire meeting should have been, considering what had happened between them the last time they’d been together. But he wasn’t thinking straight, or at all. The only thing he could focus on was want and now and more.
Clearly, Grady wasn’t as far gone as he was, because one moment Max was kissing him and the next Grady was pulling back. “Hang on a second.”
Max closed his eyes and counted to three in his head before opening them again. “You’re here.”
“Yeah. Not that I don’t love the kissing, but we should probably talk.”
Max chuckled. “Since when did you become the practical one?”
Grady blushed. “Right around the time I told Father I was leaving home and he cut me off.”
“He what?”
“Like I said, we should probably talk.” Grady took Max’s hand and led him to the desk’s chair. “Sit.”
Max did as he was told. He couldn’t believe that not only was Grady here but he was apparently broke. “What’s going on?”
Grady sat on the edge of the desk, and Max opened his legs so he practically stood between them. Grady’s gaze slid beyond Max, and he took a deep breath. “First, I need to apologize. I’m sorry about that stupid fight and for saying the things that I did. After what happened between us, I mistakenly thought you were turning against me. It took a lot of soul-searching to realize that thinking it was me against the world was not only false, but harming everyone around me.”
Max reached over and took Grady’s hand. Once Grady looked at him, Max gave Grady’s hand a squeeze. “Apology accepted.”
“Thanks.” Grady lifted Max’s hand and kissed the back of it. “You were right about a lot of things. I wasn’t living my life, not the way I wanted to. It took me a while to realize that I was terrified of being on my own, of screwing up and proving my father right. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it wasn’t the lack of money or security that scared me, but the idea of being alone. When you left . . .” He shook his head. “When I pushed you away, I realized that I was scared of being abandoned. I guess I never did come to terms with my mother’s suicide. But that will change. I’m looking at going to counseling, and I’ve started talking to Father. It will take time, but I think I might finally be on the right track.”
Max pulled Grady forward off the desk and into a hug. “Good for you.”
“And I have you to thank for it.”
“No, you don’t.” God, the last thing Max wanted was for Grady to feel indebted to him, especially after all the soul-searching he’d done. “If anything, I should be thanking you. I’d been at a weird crossroads myself, before the night that I found you in the alley. Being away made me realize how much the bar and the gym mean to me. It took you, seeing your perspective on life to realize how important, how special my work life and friends are.”
Max lifted his head and kissed Grady gently, savoring the brief contact. “And I’m sorry for leaving, for walking away when you needed me.”
“I didn’t give you many other options.”
Max smiled. “You were being an idiot.”
“I know. And for once I didn’t need anyone to tell me that for me to make the connection.” He kissed the top of Max’s head. “I know we haven’t known each other very long, but I was hoping that you’d give me another chance to make this work. To see if there really is something between us.”
The frustration and restlessness he’d been feeling since his return to Toronto evaporated. “Yeah. I think I’d like that.”
Grady relaxed in his arms. “I also have a proposition for you.”
“About what?”
“A business one.”
Grady sat down and quickly laid out his thoughts. The loan from his father, his thoughts about investing in the gym and taking on a position there. “I’d have to pay it back within a year, but it gives me a chance to make something of my own.”
“That’s what you want? To owe your father?”
“I don’t know. It’s a chance, but he’s taking one as well. He won’t be involved at all, which means I’ll sink or swim based on my own skills. I think it’ll work.”
Max sat there and stared at him, in awe of the changes that he’d made in a small period of time. “We should have a drink to celebrate.”
Grady smiled but shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ve also decided I need to cut out the booze. I’ve even been to my first AA meeting.”
“Wow.” Grady really was serious about change.
“It’s . . . hard. Way harder than I realized.” Grady’s smile faltered. “I’m a bit terrified that I’ll fail.”
“You won’t, because you’re Grady fucking Barnes, and you can do anything. I’m here to help. Whatever you need. Or don’t need.” Without giving him any warning, Max pulled Grady into his lap. Their mouths inches apart, Max wanted to do nothing more than kiss him, to make love to him. But that wasn’t what Grady needed. Instead, Max cupped his face. “Hey,” he whispered. “You’re that famous reality show guy.”
Grady laughed. “I am. And who are you, sexy?”
“I’m Max. Your boyfriend. If you want me.”
“Hell yes.”
“Good. If it’s okay with you, I’m going to tell Cameron that I’m leaving work early. Then I’m going to take you back to my place and make love to you until sometime tomorrow.”
“Sounds good to me.”