COLE

Finding Max in my kitchen—well, technically, my grandaunt’s kitchen—the next morning after our intense conversation last night was not how I planned to start my day. My itinerary for today involved moping around, feeling sorry for the teenage me, calling myself an idiot for forgiving Max, then taking a break at 2 p.m. to meet with Ashlee and her daughter.

I hadn’t fully processed our conversation last night, even though I’d stayed awake until three, thinking about everything he’d said. Of how he’d stepped in to bully me first so his friends wouldn’t get a chance to. What a load of bullshit. But my silly, hopeful heart had made a trip down memory lane. I’d dredged up memories long buried to find he was right. His bullying had been tame compared to what the others used to do to me before he made it so no one else could touch me except him.

At the time, I’d been too hurt to see his methods were lighter. A shove into a locker to replace a fist I would have gotten to my face. Wet clothes after gym instead of no clothes at all. And the note in my locker with a pile of money to get myself a new pair of glasses.

He’d been telling the truth about why he did what he had. Teenage me had a hard time accepting it all, though, and I wasn’t about to fight the repressed feelings. I had a right to be angry with him. No excuse in the world could make bullying easy.

Before I could tiptoe back out of the kitchen—Max hadn’t seen me—a hand landed on my shoulder.

“Good morning, lazybones. You’re finally awake.”

Max slid out from under the sink. Too late to leave now.

“I’m on vacation, thank you very much,” I said, then nodded at Max. “What are you doing here?”

“He’s fixing the leaky sink,” Gladys said. “The damn plumber I’d called canceled again.”

“Why didn’t you let me look at it?”

“And what pray tell do you know about fixing sinks?”

“No less than him, I’m sure.”

“Except he comes highly qualified.”

“Oh?” I raised a brow.

“With muscles.”

I rolled my eyes. “I doubt muscles are a requirement to fix a leaky sink.”

“It sure helps to loosen and tighten things.”

“I have muscles. I’m no longer the puny little sticks-for-arms-and-legs boy you knew.”

“You sure aren’t.”

At Max’s remark, I cut my attention to him. Max had risen to his feet and pulled his soaked shirt from his body. He used the material to dab at the water dripping from him.

I wasn’t the only one who didn’t look the same as in high school. He was more ripped. I could grate cheese on those abs. His tattoos were a nice touch too. Not only did they cover his arms but also his chest and shoulders.

We’d planned to get matching ones for graduation, but by then, we’d broken up.

Max was staring at me with the look. The one he used to give me before he jumped my bones.

Jesus. Was he still the horny bottom who liked his hands tied up while I screwed him?

“I didn’t want to bother you, dear.” Gladys walked over to the coffee maker. “I heard you up very late last night. Did you have trouble sleeping?”

I cleared my throat. “I slept just fine. Next time, you don’t need to bother anyone when I’m around.”

“It’s no bother at all,” Max said. “I’m used to popping by and helping.”

I frowned. Just how much had he been helping my grandaunt? Walking around with his shirt off. Knowing Gladys, I wouldn’t put it past her to break her pipes deliberately to see a half-naked man walk around her kitchen just for kicks.

“Put your shirt on, will you?” I snapped at Max.

“And spoil the show?” Gladys sipped her coffee.

“You’re not even into men,” I said.

“I have eyes enough to appreciate the beauty of all of God’s handmades. And he sure took his time on you, Max.”

Oh, somebody shoot me now.

Max laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You’re gay, aren’t you?”

“Gladys,” I said in warning.

“What? I’m just making conversation.”

“It’s none of your business what he is.”

“It’s okay,” Max said. “I don’t mind. Yes, I’m gay.”

“You don’t have a boyfriend, do you?”

Oh hell, I’m going to need coffee for this.

Was Max so naïve he didn’t realize what she was doing? If she was bold enough to suggest we went out together, I would have to say no. Going out with him once was all I needed to know we weren’t compatible. Except when we had been in the bedroom. While specifics eluded me after ten years, I remembered how being with him had made me feel. Like there was nothing in the world I couldn’t take on.

“No, not right now.”

I poured a cup of coffee. So he’d been out with someone else, then. What was that like? Dating someone like Max openly?

“There can’t be that many gay men in Rosewood,” she said. “Luckily, I know the perfect person for you. He just returned to town and is the sweetest guy you could find.”

I gulped down some coffee, which scalded my tongue and throat. My eyes filled with tears. “Aunt Glad, that’s enough,” I croaked.

“What? Louisa’s grandson would be perfect for him.” She was all innocent looking. “He’s younger, only twenty-four, but that’s not too big an age gap.”

“Louisa’s grandson? You mean you weren’t talking about…”

Max raised his eyebrows.

“Talking about who, dear?”

“Nothing.”

“What do you think, Max?” Gladys asked. “Should I make a phone call to Louisa and arrange a date? You could show Connor around.”

I snorted. “What’s there to see in Rosewood?”

“There’s plenty to see and do. Plus, it’s apple-picking season, so you know what that means. Lots of activities to take him for a date, Max. What do you say?”

“I don’t see why not.”

I gritted my teeth. He didn’t see why not? How could he have talked to me last night like he wanted to pick up where we’d left off, but then casually agreed to be a pawn in my grandaunt’s matchmaking games?

He only asked to be friends.

I stalked out of the kitchen, hands clenched at my sides.

“Eh, Cole, where are you going?” Gladys called after me. “Max is cleaning the pool. Give him a hand, will you?”

Like hell I would. He could get Connor to do it in my place.