MAXEN
My skin was clammy with the sweat I worked up with Lark. My hand wandered down her arm and on the small of her back. I found her as sweaty as I was. I couldn’t help the cocky smile from stretching my lips. Good thing she couldn’t see me with her face on my chest or else she’d probably slap me.
I’ve had some wild sex, I couldn’t lie, but this… this was crazy. What she made me feel when I was inside her or when I worked her up was wild in itself, but I’ve never expected her to love kink so much. Shit, that’s brilliant. And it opened so many possibilities.
I tightened my arm around her and nuzzled the top of her head, breathing in the smell of our sweat, sex and the last remnants of her perfume. When I thought about how hot she looked with her ass offered to me, when I spanked her and mostly when I watched my dick disappear into her heat to come out glistening…
I closed my eyes and sighed. Yeah, that’s too fucking hot to think about right now. If I get another boner, Lark was going to think I had issues and I was addicted to sex on top of drugs. In this instance, she wouldn’t be that far off.
“You’re very quiet,’’ she said softly against my chest, her lips brushing next to the barbell of my nipple and I flexed my abs on reflex.
“You too.’’ I kissed the top of her head on impulse, and my heart beat a few extra beats. Only she drew out this side of me. It was foreign and yet, also very natural.
“It was so intense, Maxen.’’
“Too much?’’ I asked, lowering my eyebrows over my eyes, tension invading me at the thought of feeling her retreating away from me already. Having to leave tomorrow was enough of a nightmare as it was, but if she put distance between us now, I didn’t know how I’d take it. This intensity between us was supposed to bring us closer and convince her that we could have something worth working for.
“No, not too much,’’ she replied and kissed my pec.
She moved against me until she had her chin on my chest and her eyes locked on mine. Her hair was a mess of wild strands sticking in different directions. It was the perfect picture of a woman well-fucked, and it’s a look that looked very good on her. Her lips were still a darker shade than usual from our kissing, and her eyes were hooded as if she’s ready to fall asleep. She’s never looked more beautiful to me. No one had ever looked so perfect.
“I’ve never felt like this before.’’ I brushed away a few locks of hair falling in her eyes and traced the shell of her small ear and then her jaw. “I don’t want to go, you know.’’
She smiled and pushed her face into my palm, and I swore my heart just stopped beating in my too tight chest. For a man who had never felt much with a woman, everything was a complete mind fuck.
“I think it was pretty clear when you bitched at Floyd earlier.’’ She chuckled softly, and I felt it inside me. It was such a happy sound.
I didn’t think loving someone was like this. It’s so intense as if everything was fucking magnified from her barest smile to the lightest touch of her fingers on me. It’s scary. Fuck, it’s so damn scary. She had the power to ruin me, to fuck me up for good and she didn’t know it.
“Will you be coming to LA? I mean… fuck, I suck at this.’’ I rubbed my face with the hand that was on her face and sighed. “Don’t be a stranger. I don’t want to have to chase you down here to see you again.’’
“And you, don’t make the headlines with some woman too soon.’’ Her voice shook, and I frowned at her when a poor excuse for a smile barely stretched her lips.
“I don’t give a fuck about other women, Lark. That’s not something you have to worry about.’’ I shook my head at her. “Trust me?’’
She looked at me for a while as if searching for something in my eyes and I wanted to fidget under her scrutiny, not because I was lying or I wasn’t sure of the truth of my words, but because I wasn’t ready for her to see how deep I was where she’s concerned. I didn’t want to scare her off and face her rejection. We’re fantastic in bed, we’re good outside of it now too, but it’s the whole fucking world that’s an issue, and it’s a damn big issue.
“I trust you, but—’’
“There’s no but, babe. If you trust me—’’
“That’s not the point.’’ I wrapped my arms around her to make sure she didn’t try and sit up, but she didn’t make a move to put distance between us. If anything, she brought her face closer to mine. “When I think about it, Maxen, I don’t understand how come we’ve ended up like this. And honestly, you don’t owe me anything. Back in LA, you should do whatever you want. But just… just don’t make it public knowledge too soon. I don’t know how I’d take it, you know?’’
This woman.
“You don’t get it.’’ I bore my eyes into hers, and a fucking spark went off inside me, coursing through my limbs and straight to my heart. “I don’t want another woman. I know I’ve been fucking everything with a skirt for years, Lark, but this is different. It’s so fucking different…’’ I trailed off, my voice getting shaky and I wanted to put a damn pillow over my face and smother myself.
“Different how?’’
I watched her throat work, and I knew she was nervous. That only made me more nervous. Fuck, the last time I’ve felt like this with a chick was when I was about to get my first kiss. And then my heart wasn’t in the mix like it was with Lark.
“I—’’
Her phone rang, playing “Trouble” by Pink at a volume that had me choking on my saliva. Lark startled so hard she would have toppled to the floor if I hadn’t caught her by her arms. My hands landed close to her breasts, and of course, that’s when my cock decided he’s getting ready for another round.
“Oh shit! It’s my parents.’’
“You picked ‘Trouble’ for your parents’ ringtone?’’ I asked bewildered and ready to laugh. Lark had always been a straight-A student, very driven and the only real mistake and risk she’s made was when we all went to Vegas. I didn’t think her parents had ever had to raise their voice against her growing up. I also knew from Alan that her bad temper had never made an appearance with anyone other than me or in very few instances growing up.
“Oh, shut up. If they call it’s never good. Usually, I’m the one calling them.’’
She jumped to her feet and didn’t bother covering up with the bed sheets. She hunted down her purse where her phone probably was, and I watched her delicious body, her curves. I was growing harder. I had to put my hands under my pillow before I touched myself.
I didn’t think that’d be good to put my hand on my dick considering she’s about to answer her parents’ phone call. It’s strange already to see the woman I just had sex with naked about to talk to her parents who probably had no idea she’s naked with a fucker equally naked sprawled on a big bed.
“Allo?’’ she answered, a bit out of breath. At hearing her and watching her chest rising and falling faster, moving her breasts in a tantalizing manner, it gave me more wicked ideas.
Oh shit. I really should close my damn eyes. But I didn’t. Maybe I should have because now my heart was taking a nosedive and my erection disappeared into thin air when I saw her paling. I cursed under my breath and quickly stood up to get to her. She shook her head and held up a hand to stop me before I reached her.
I scowled, and the first thing that popped into my head was to swat that hand away and gather her in my arms anyway, but she looked troubled. No need to be an ass to prove a caveman point when she’s on the phone with her parents.
“We can’t really leave, you know? Outside… well, it’s a circus,’’ she said quietly, her voice shaking when her grip on her phone turned deadly. She fell quiet, her eyebrows now bunching over her eyes and her mouth twisted into a grimace.
I wasn’t Sherlock, but it didn’t bode that well. Buck ass naked and not a care in the world, I crossed my arms over my chest, parted my legs as if getting ready to get punched. I waited patiently for Lark to resume her phone call and agreed to whatever her parents asked.
She lowered her arm with her phone still in hand, but the screen was back to black and fixed me with a panicked look I fucking hated.
“What? What is it?’’
She shook her head as if to clear her mind and she glanced back at the phone before she put it on the furniture holding the TV hidden inside. “My parents heard about our marriage when they were at work. They’re on their way home and want to see me.’’ She bit her lip and cleared her throat. “And you.’’
I’ve known it was coming from the moment her parents called, but somehow it’s hitting me just now. I was about to meet her parents. I’ve never met parents in my whole fucking life.
I toyed with the barbell in my eyebrow.
Parents didn’t like me on principle. With all the press regarding my sex life, I couldn’t possibly be boyfriend material in any parents’ eyes, and I got it.
Fuck, it’s starting to make me nervous.
“I’ve never met your parents. I mean, we’ve known each other since we were eighteen and I’ve never met your parents.’’ If I had, it would be better. Oh shit. “Tell me you didn’t criticize me back then.’’
She cringed, and I swore loudly.
“I know, I’m sorry, Maxen. You used to piss me off so much!’’
“That’s just great.’’ I shook my head and rubbed my face. “All right. We need to shower and then I’ll find a car. We’ll take the back door and see if none of these paparazzi found it. Right now, I don’t much believe in my fucking luck.’’
She frowned and shook her head. “It’s not the end of the damn world, Maxen. Don’t overdramatize. They’re just my parents.’’
“Your parents that actually give a fuck about you just heard from the fucking media that you’re married to me, Lark. I’m a huge dude with tattoos covering my fucking arms and chest, and I have piercings. The same dude you’ve spent years talking shit about to your parents. Don’t tell me they won’t want to kick me in the balls as soon as they meet me.’’
“Let’s shower,’’ she said and turned around to go straight to the bathroom, making sure she didn’t look at me.
Figured.
I was fucked.
At least, I was going down after I had the chance to be with Lark. It’s more than I’ve ever thought possible.
***
LARK
“Calm down, Maxen. They’re not going to shoot you, damn it,’’ I said with more bite than necessary.
The man was nowhere near his usual cocky self and I probably shouldn’t kick him when he was already, figuratively speaking, down. His eyebrows had been lowered over his eyes ever since my mother’s phone call, and he’s barely uttered a few words. The strangest thing; he hadn’t tried anything when we took a shower together. He washed and then left the bathroom with a towel around his hips to get dressed.
It’s obvious he’s nervous and wasn’t used to meeting parents, but his nerves were getting to me, and I was all jittery.
Why had I never told my parents about my marriage in Vegas? Oh yes, because I didn’t want to disappoint them and mostly because I didn’t want to face the truth about what I had done. And maybe the why behind my action all these years had a lot to do with unresolved feelings, feelings I had never wanted to face.
“They’re not going to tell me ‘welcome to the family’ either,’’ he replied darkly, his eyes glued to the back of our driver’s head who was hired in under an hour with Floyd’s help.
We’ve been lucky to not be spotted by photographers before we had to drive in front of the hotel to get to my parents’ house. Some of them tried to chase the car, but ultimately, they weren’t a match to it. That was a bit overwhelming and a whole lot frightening. I didn’t know how Maxen and the guys did this on an everyday basis. This was insane.
“Maxen,’’ I sighed and gazed at the familiar suburb neighborhood passing by as we drove closer to my parents’ house where I grew up.
“What?’’ he asked softer, his attention back on me.
I grabbed his hand from his thigh and entwined my fingers with his. “They’re not bad people. They’re going to be cold at first, but I’m sure you don’t have to worry yourself so much. Anyway, it’s my life. They can judge, but ultimately, I could have done a lot worse.’’
“Is there a compliment somewhere in there, babe?’’ he asked with a crooked smile that I wanted to kiss.
“Maybe.’’ I smiled back and I didn’t know how long we spent looking at each other, locked in a silent communication that had me tingling, but the car came to a stop, and we were both brought back to the present. “There’re no journalists,’’ I remarked after a quick look around the street I’d grown up on.
The small houses were the same if maybe a bit older looking for some. It’s the perfect picture anyone had of a middle-class suburbia, and it brought a fond smile to my face. I wondered what has become of some of my old friends here. It’s funny how usually I didn’t think about that when I visited my parents. Everything had changed rather drastically in a matter of a few weeks. Life could be a rollercoaster like that, and Maxen’s life seemed to run at breakneck speed.
“Mr. Walton, I’ll be stationed here.’’
“Good. Thank you. If we’re staying longer, I’ll let you know.’’
Our driver nodded and got out to open my door while Maxen jumped out on his own, stretching his big body as if he’s ready to go in a ring for the fight of his life. I’d be laughing if I hadn’t been so stressed myself. Two hours ago, we were in bed, naked after the best sex of my life. If only we could have stayed there.
“Ready?’’ I asked when I reached his side. We’re standing in front of my parents’ house, looking at it with apprehension.
“I don’t think standing here the whole night is going to do a damn thing. And please, kill me if I use fuck or any variation too many times.’’
“You really are nervous,’’ I said with a chuckle that died when he glowered at me with his green eyes that darkened just like when he’s turned on and ready to fuck me.
God, when angry he’s a sight to behold. I wondered if maybe back in college that wasn’t why I so easily bickered with him even if I would have never admitted that aloud.
“I don’t want to make a bad impression, Lark. I know our marriage is a fucking scam, but you also know it’s important to me. I don’t want to embarrass you with your parents and…’’ He rubbed his eyes and went back to looking at the house as if it was a haunted spot about to give him the fright of his life.
“And? You don’t want to disappoint me?’’
“Nah, I don’t want you mad at me. Disappointing you? I bet it’s just a matter of time before that shit happens.’’
I squeezed his hand. “I bet it’s not gonna happen.’’
He opened his mouth to say something, but he’s interrupted by someone clearing his throat loudly. Maxen’s attention snapped to the front door of the house, his eyes briefly widening in panic. I had to bite my tongue to not laugh, but it’s more from nerves than actual humor in the situation. The need to giggle was really hard to stifle when my shoulders started to shake almost uncontrollably.
My father was at the door, arms crossed over his chest, probably further wrinkling his dress shirt. Buttons were open at his neck, and the sleeves were rolled up over his forearms. My dad’s hair was thinning, but it wasn’t noticeable. His cheeks and chin had dark stubble from the day spent working at an insurance agency in a small cubicle. Anonymous among the anonymous.
“Are you going to stay standing there or will you come inside before someone spots you and brings the circus here?’’
Maxen’s hand tensed around mine and finally, he started walking briskly. I had to trot beside him to keep up. Once in front of my father, he released my hand and shook his. One look at the handshake showed me that my dad tried to do some damage to my husband’s but considering how big Maxen’s hand was and how much strength he had, I didn’t think it was doing much.
“Nice to meet you, sir,’’ Maxen said with a calm voice that hid his real state of mind.
My father nodded but kept his thin lips sealed.
Okay. That’s not awkward at all.
“Hey, Dad. How was work today?’’
My father’s blue eyes locked with mine and I cringed when the lack of amusement in them hit me square. “It was good until your mother called me in a panic to tell me you’ve been married since you were twenty-one to some rock star. Care to explain that to me?’’
“Sir, I can—’’
“I’m talking to my daughter, not you,’’ Dad interrupted Maxen rudely, a powerful glare I’ve rarely seen on his face in all my life. That didn’t bode well at all. Oh shit. My bout of weird giggles wasn’t anywhere in sight anymore.
“Let them in, Paul,’’ my mother said from behind him, and I couldn’t help the small relieved sigh from escaping my lips.
We all walked in and met my mother in the family room, standing in front of the dark TV’s screen. Maxen made a beeline for her and shook her hand while I didn’t know what to do. With my father’s cold welcome and the tense lines on my mother’s face, I didn’t feel much like hugging.
She’s still wearing her slacks and flowery shirt for her job at the local doctor’s office where she covered the front desk. I bet one of the patients told her about the media mess considering my mother had worked for this doctor since I started middle school and I used to stop by once in a while after school for years. I was known around here.
“Maxen, this is Paul and Ellie Hardin, my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Maxen Walton.’’ I made the introduction barely breathing.
Heat crept over my face while I was standing next to Maxen, our arms touching. My parents were looking at us intently. Usually, they’d probably have offered a seat on the sofa and a drink, but right now, it didn’t feel much like a courtesy visit and more like an interrogation.
“Maxen Walton, your husband,’’ my mother said, her voice filled not with disappointment as I’d expected, but sadness.
Dad wrapped an arm around her shoulders and glared at me. “How could you have hidden something like that for so long? Does Caleb know?’’
Maxen made a sound from the back of his throat, but I ignored him while my parents stared at him with a deep frown accentuating the small lines marking their faces.
“Caleb knows. Actually, he’s the one behind the leak to the media. I suppose it’s his petty way of getting back at me for this marriage,’’ I replied bitterly. Maxen put a hand on the small of my back and it centered me. I looked at him and smiled with gratitude, but the hard mask on his face worried me. “As for the marriage itself—’’
“It was my fault,’’ Maxen said, cutting me off. “I can’t tell you exactly how it happened because it’s…uh, fuzzy, but it’s my fault. Lark came to LA a few weeks ago to rectify this mistake. Don’t hold this against her.’’
“Maybe you instigated this which wouldn’t surprise me much with what I’ve read about you in the papers,’’ my father said, and I made a move to stop him from insulting Maxen, but Maxen’s hand on the small of my back tightened its grip on my top, and I stayed quiet. I did shoot daggers at my father who completely ignored me, though. “But Lark was an adult. If she was able to say ‘I do’, she knew what she was doing.’’ And my father’s judging eyes went back to me, and under the cold anger, I perceived sadness too.
I should have told them everything as soon as I had returned from Las Vegas. I had always been close to them, and I never hid things from them. Never, unless it concerned my marital status.
“I know I’ve messed up, but it’s not like I’ve made a habit of it. I’ve always been the good girl, the good daughter.’’ I looked around the house and saw pictures of me from various ages, some flattering pics, some not so much. “I’ve studied to get a full ride to college, I’ve worked to pay my own way, got a good job as soon as I was out of college, got with someone perfect on paper. I’ve always done what’s expected. Always, but that one time in Vegas. Do you really have to hold it against me?’’
My parents exchanged a long look, and finally, my mother decided to play hostess. “Let’s sit. Would any of you like something to drink?’’
“Water if you don’t mind,’’ Maxen asked with a strangled voice that barely sounded like his own.
“We don’t have expensive water brand around here,’’ Dad said, baiting Maxen and I glared at him.
“Good. I’m not much into sissy water brands supposedly from the purest source or whatever. And sir, for your information, I grew up in a house that was half the size of yours. There’s nothing fancy about me aside from the house I was able to buy thanks to my work with the band.’’
I smiled behind my hand at Maxen’s polite, yet sharp way of putting my father in his place. Any other time I’d be bitching the person who would have gone head to head with one of my family members, but this time around my dad kind of deserved it.
My mother excused herself with a twitch of her lips, and I was sure she saw the appeal to this even though she’s more on Dad’s side than mine at the moment. At least she wasn’t being openly opinionated when it came to my husband. That’s a good first sign.
Silence fell around us until my mother came back with water and glasses. She set everything on the low table. Maxen and I were on the couch, sitting real close while my father sent daggers at Maxen from one armchair and my mother fidgeted from the other one on my side. That’s interesting.
I grabbed a glass, took a sip and watched Maxen do the same after a quick ‘thank you’ to my mother whose eyes kept on going to the tattoos on Maxen’s knuckles spelling ‘fuck you’ with a small star on his last knuckle. I was close to laughing hysterically at the situation again. I also started sweating. I kept drying my palms on my thighs while Maxen’s eyes didn’t leave my dad’s face. I didn’t have the right chromosome to fully understand both men’s behavior right now. It was like they're both waiting for the other’s next move to counter accordingly.
“I thought you two didn’t like each other,’’ my mother observed after what felt like a very long silence.
Maxen and I exchanged a quick look with a wry smile before we stared back at my mother.
“We used to…um…misunderstand each other,’’ I stammered, unsure of how to put words into this surreal situation and my feelings and behavior toward the man I’ve married.
“Misunderstand?’’ My father scoffed before pinning me with a stern look. “I remember once you described him as a ‘womanizing pig who has nothing in his head because all his neurons went straight to buff the muscles in his arms’ or something close.’’
I groaned and covered my face with one hand and tightened my grip on the glass with the other.
“Paul!’’ my mother admonished my father, apparently more subdued than him. She probably had more qualms about insulting someone under her roof, someone famous at that. She’s always had a soft spot for gossip rags, and I was sure that somewhere underneath her disappointment and sadness she’s a bit starstruck even though Kinky Shine’s music wasn’t exactly her cup of tea.
“You said that?’’ Maxen asked me with a barely contained laugh, and one look at him relaxed me. His green eyes were dancing with mirth, and his mouth was stretched wide in a blinding smile.
“Yeah. I think it was freshman year at Thanksgiving or maybe over Christmas break. Sorry.’’ I bumped my shoulder into his.
“Don’t apologize. It’s a unique way of insulting me. That should make me feel special, huh?’’ He winked at me, and my cheeks must have turned pink as warmth spread over my face and down my neck.
“Shut up, you idiot,’’ I mumbled. My parents had a matching surprised look on their faces. “What?’’
Maxen turned back to them and tensed next to me. “Mr. and Mrs. Hardin? Listen, I know I’m not what you’ve always dreamt of as a son-in-law, but I swear I’ll make sure all this media circus doesn’t mess with your daughter’s life. I know that incidentally I’m the cause of Lark and Caleb’s failed relationship, but if you want my opinion, I don’t think Lark is losing anything there. But when it comes to her work and finding a new place to live, I’ll be there to support her, even if I’m her husband on paper only. We’ve known each other for a while. I owe her that much.’’
“Caleb and you are over?’’ my father asked with a strange voice as if he’s trying to hide his hope.
I frowned at him. “Yes. He threw me out when I told him and when I let out who my husband is, he ran to the first journalist and spilled everything. Caleb and I are well and truly over.’’
“Oh, that’s good,’’ my father said and smiled at my mother. They both raised their water in a silent cheer.
“What the hell?’’ I blurted, at a loss, my eyes probably wide from confusion.
“I don’t think your parents are real fans of Caleb,’’ Maxen supplied, and my mother nodded at his words.
“He was always so standoffish when you would visit, and he pushed you into wearing certain clothes and talking a certain way. Of course you’re a woman, and you’re bound to evolve, but it didn’t feel natural to us.’’
“And he couldn’t talk about anything other than his damn job,’’ my father added with a frown.
“At least we have something in common. I think this man is an asshole, and I’ve never met him,’’ Maxen agreed immediately and cringed when the curse word escaped his mouth. His eyes sought me out and I smiled, too amused and finally relaxing.
“But let’s go back to this marriage,’’ my mother said, losing her small grin at the word marriage. “Is it true that you’re getting a divorce? Why not before?’’
“We both buried our head in the sand, Mom.’’
“I also dropped out of college soon after our Vegas trip when word came that a label wanted to sign the band. I had to leave for LA and Lark avoided me and everybody at all cost, even Alan so—’’
“It became easier to ignore that we were married and that it wasn’t just a weird dream,’’ I finished, putting the empty glass on the coffee table.
“Easier? Since when do you do what’s easier, Lark? We’ve never raised you to take the easy route when you have to face the consequences of your choices. Or mistakes,’’ my father said and it’s like a kick to the gut. It hurt, made it difficult to stay upright, but ultimately pride won over and I didn’t waver too much.
“Since I’m only human and I can be lost too.’’
Maxen put an arm around my shoulders and I went willingly against his side. I didn’t care if it wasn’t appropriate and if my parents had more questions regarding Maxen and me. His comfort was nice, and I really needed it right now.
“Don’t let this create a breach between you,’’ Maxen said quietly, his renewed confidence gone. “You’re family. It’s the most important. In no time I’ll be out of your hair, and you’ll be able to forget that your daughter ever married a man like me.’’
“Don’t say that,’’ I retorted and pulled away from him, giving him my best glare. “You keep degrading yourself as if I’m so much better than you are. It’s ridiculous. Stop it.’’
“If you don’t mind me butting in,’’ my mother interrupted before Maxen could say a word and we both ground our teeth while sending murderous stares at the other. Love was in the air. “We don’t have an issue with you Maxen. We don’t know you. That being said, we have an issue with the way this marriage happened. My husband and I believe that a marriage isn’t something to kid about.’’
Maxen’s eyes softened and left mine to lock with my mother’s who started blushing. My father grunted in his armchair.
“Mrs. Hardin, marriage is important to me too. I’ve…’’ He started toying with his piercing, something he always did when nervous. I wanted to reach out and grab one of his big hands to show him that even when he annoyed me, I was right here. Funny how things had changed in so little time. “I’ve had a difficult upbringing. It’s a matter of time before more dirt is dug from my past so I’d rather tell you a little about it here and now.’’ He fidgeted and took a deep breath as if getting ready to jump from a sharp cliff. “My parents aren’t the most stable people. Their love and marriage was destructive, unhealthy and the opposite of how I envision what a marriage should be and how love should be shown. I’m not going to go through the gory details, but I’ve always told myself I would never fuck up like my parents and if by some miracle I ended up married I’d do my best to make it a success and never hurt my wife. Let me tell you, this situation is the opposite of what I’ve always wanted. And it’s not sitting well with me.’’
“You don’t look the marriage type. Or the one-woman type.’’
“Dad!’’ I pursed my lips and put a hand on Maxen’s massive shoulder, but he didn’t look my way.
“I can’t exactly prove you wrong considering I’m leaving for LA tomorrow, sir. I understand your opinion of me.’’
“What? Damn it, Maxen.’’ I stood up and pointed at my father, whose eyebrows went up on his forehead, deepening the wrinkles there. “Dad, you can’t judge him because he’s famous and has been pictured with many women. You don’t know him, don’t know who he really is. At least, you should respect him. And you!’’ I was now pointing at Maxen who blinked at me. “It’s not because you’re meeting my parents that you should be so… so… argh! Such a doormat. Be yourself!’’
“Myself? Fuck, Lark. You want me to brag because I was able to fuck countless women and because I can play music talking about sex that makes me win millions? I’m not going to come here with my big ass smile and act as if everything is chill when there are fucking gossip journalists harassing you, and you might lose your job because of that ass Caleb. So what do you fucking want me to do so your parents don’t think I’m a bigger fuck up than I really am, huh?’’
“You’re not a fuck up! You’re real and I’d rather you be real than this.’’ I waved at him as he stood up and loomed over me. His big body invaded my personal space until his nose was close to brushing mine.
“Real? You want me fucking real, Lark? Yeah, let’s have a good laugh and be all chill and shit.’’
He’s breathing loud and fast. His green eyes were dark and bright. His lips so close to mine were calling out to me until my father cleared his throat and broke through the haze of our very strange, yet very arousing moment.
“I think we just saw a small piece of Maxen Walton and the dynamics of your relationship,’’ my mother said.
Maxen’s eyes widened, and he turned around to face my parents, as white as the walls. “Oh fuck. Shit.’’ He rubbed his face roughly and eyed me sideways. “Remember in the car when I told you to kill me if I did something like this? Please, kill me now.’’
“Is this how you two were back in college?’’ my mother asked me, sipping her cold glass of water as if she was watching an interesting program on TV.
“Pretty much.’’ I crossed my arms and forced a smile when I was still shaky and embarrassingly aroused. This was too twisted.
“I’m starting to get a better picture now,’’ my father mused and chuckled, startling me so much that I gasped loudly. “You two, sit down. It’s been a few weeks since we’ve last seen you, Lark.’’
Maxen and I sat back on the couch, our bodies still touching from thigh to shoulder.