Becoming His

Slowly, I start piecing the last twenty-four hours together with a new perspective.

“I didn’t want last night to happen like it did. I wanted it to be the most romantic night of your life. I wanted to have flowers and music and tell you how important you are to me.” I feel the vise wrapped around me slowly release. “Please say something,” Max whispers.

I push off the covers and crawl toward him, stopping when there’s only a few inches left between our bodies. “Last night was the single most romantic night of my life thus far because of what happened, Max. It was being with you that made last night special.” I hesitantly reach out and set my hand on his.

“I am head over heels for you, Max, but if you—”

Max grabs my face between his hands and before I’m able to finish my threat, He presses his lips to mine with a sense of need.

I kiss him back as the fear and heartbreak seep away with every second.

“You should go home. Come back tomorrow and kiss me like that once I’ve showered, dressed, and my hair doesn’t look like a rat’s nest,” I say, leaning my forehead against his shoulder, breathing in his warm scent.

“You have no idea how beautiful you are,” Max replies, moving his body and holding my face so that we’re face to face. “I just need to be with you right now. You scare the hell out of me when you run.”

I nod in understanding. Max has told me about his father leaving one night and never returning. I feel the same desire to be close to him. Max pulls me down so we’re lying with our faces mere inches apart.

“I’m sorry for my reaction. You were so perfect and amazing. I was just caught up in my anger. And then you ran, and I didn’t know what to do.”

“You look tired,” I whisper, stroking his unshaven face.

He nods and pulls me closer so my head rests on his shoulder. I wrap my arms around his chest and bury myself into him.

“You have to stop ru

Soon the sound of Max’s soft breaths and the even beats of his heart lull me into a peaceful sleep.

“Harper Jo! What is going on in here?” The piercing shrill of my mother’s voice breaks me from my peaceful dream and my head snaps up. She’s standing in my doorway with a shocked expression conveying disapproval. I feel Max’s leg move from between mine and recall the events from last night. My face flushes as she stares at me with her large blue eyes.

For some reason words jumble and collide in my mind, not allowing a coherent thought to string together. My dad rounds the corner, breathless, obviously rushing from Mom’s shrieks. His eyes are wide as he takes in the room. When his eyes fall to me, words are completely lost as I stare at him like a child with her hand caught in the cookie jar.

“It’s my fault. I’m very sorry. This was—” Max begins as I remain completely mute, making me feel even worse about things.

“A situation that needed to be resolved,” my dad finishes, surprising all of us. His eyes fall to me. “I expect you guys to keep visiting hours during the day going forward.”

I look from my dad to my mom and see shock flash across her face. It obviously isn’t the reaction that she was expecting either.

“David, she’s—”

“She’s nearly twenty, lives independently, and has a boyfriend that we like. We’re not making this into big deal, mon moitié.” My parents turn to look at one another, having one of their silent arguments for a brief moment before my mom turns her eyes to me.

“We love you. Both of you, but please, no more sleepovers while you’re here.”

“Sorry,” I finally reply.

“It won’t happen again,” Max adds adamantly.

“We’re heading out to meet the Prestons for brunch, and then we’ll be home. We’ll see you both for supper,” Mom says, not posing it as an invitation to Max as she runs a hand over her perfectly-styled hair. They leave after ensuring my bedroom door is as far open as it can go.

Max’s head falls to the pillows with a quiet train of curses as he covers his face with both hands. I feel dazed, shocked at how calm they were. After Je

Suddenly I giggle. I giggle so hard I can hardly breathe.

“Your parents are going to hate me. This strikes you as fu

“If they hated you, you wouldn’t still be in here.”

“Then why are you laughing?”

“Do you remember asking if everyone would know when we … yeah, I’m pretty sure they’re all going to know.” This doesn’t seem to be nearly as amusing to Max. He shakes his head and looks up to the ceiling as more quiet curses leave him in a breath, making Kendall’s vulgarity seem childlike, which only serves in making me laugh harder.

Max leaves shortly after my giggle fit ends, kissing me several times before retreating to his own house for a few more hours of sleep and a shower.

I take my time getting dressed as I replay the events of this weekend again and feel myself blush, thinking back to Friday night. I slept with Max Miller.

A quiet squeal of delight rips through my throat, and my cheeks ache from the giant smile that I can’t stop. I pull on some clothes I find shoved in the back of a drawer and head to the backyard with a book and coffee.

“You know, you’d be super tan if you sat in the sun as often as you read.”

I look over as Kendall sits on the lounge chair beside me, looking nervous as she tucks a few strands of blond hair behind her ear.

Ignoring her comment, I set my book down and sit up. “Thanks for sneaking Max in.”

Her shoulders visibly sink with relief. “I love you, Ace, and I know I should have waited and talked to you first. It’s just … I’m really glad Max makes you so happy, and I didn’t want you to completely push him and the idea of him away without listening to him first.” She gently knocks her knee against mine, giving me a knowing look. “He was a freaking idiot to brood like that, but I think it’s only because he really is in deep for you. He left right after you did, still shirtless, and went to your apartment where he apparently pounded on the door like a crazed maniac for fifteen minutes before Abby let him in. Then he nearly got in a fight with Jesse to get into the apartment because he didn’t believe them when they said that you weren’t there.” My jaw drops and Kendall nods, pursing her lips slightly. “Yeah, he may need your help mending that relationship.” She nods, agreeing with her own assessment. “Then he came back to the house and started going crazy, worrying about if you were okay and where you’d be if you hadn’t gone home. In all honesty it’s not like he had a lot of options, but he did co

“I’m sorry for involving you and Jameson.”

“Ace, I’m your sister. I want to be involved.” Kendall grips my fingers within hers. “Seriously, I never want you apologizing to me for involving me in things, especially if you need me. Anytime, I’m there. No questions asked. I love you, Ace, and for all the million times that you’ve been there for me, I’d like to be there for you once in a while.” I get up from my chair and perch on the edge of hers, hugging her tightly to me.

“I love you too.”

“So since the boys were up most of the night, I have a feeling they’re going to sleep most of the day, and Mom left a note in the kitchen asking you to make three batches of spaghetti sauce, so I’m guessing everyone is coming tonight.” I nod, glancing to see what time it is.

“Oh my gosh, did you hear?” Her back straightens and her eyes become bright.

“Hear what?” I ask.