Ruined: Loving An Alpha Male(103)

I felt everyone’s eyes on us, but I didn’t mind the attention. This is the most she’s spoken to me since we laid eyes on each other.

“Nothing. I guess that explains it, though,” she replied, and started on her grapefruit.

I was, of course, bothered by her statement and took her bait.

“Please enlighten me. What does it explain?”

She looked at me wondering whether or not she should elaborate.

She then sighed and said, “It explains how I could tell the difference between you and your brother. You look like you aged like ten years. I guess your new drinking hobby has taken a toll.”

“You think I have a problem with drinking? That I’m an alcoholic?” I asked incredulously.

She shrugged. She actually shrugged at me. I laughed.

“Wow, angel, that’s…um…interesting…as it seems I’m not the only one that has changed at this table.”

She frowned as I knew she would. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Let’s just say you need to eat more than a grapefruit for breakfast.”

“Are you saying I’m too skinny?” she asked.

I shrugged but didn’t reply. She dropped her spoon. “I am not too skinny.”

I laughed. “Yeah, okay.”

“And how would you know? No… You know what?… Never mind. I’m not too skinny. I eat just fine.”

“Oh yeah? Then let me order for you.”

She folded her arms in front of her. “Okay, then. Give me that glass.”

“I have no problem with that. As soon as your food gets here, you can have my glass.”

The waitress came, and I ordered myself two orders of two scrambled eggs, using egg whites only, and a medium well T-bone steak. She nodded that she had my order.

Then Max added, “Can you bring a large coffee—black?”

“Of course,” the waitress said and walked away.

Maxine and I had a staring match, until my brother cleared his throat.

“So…uh, Tiffany…what do we have on the agenda today?”

I finally removed my gaze from a stormy and very sexy Max, and I turned my attention to her friend who was sitting next to her.

“Well, we have a date with a fishing boat this afternoon. Are you guys ready to teach us girls how to fish?”

“I think I’ll leave the fishing to you guys, but lying out on the deck sounds like a plan,” Marie added.

Conversation started about the kind of boat we’re going on and what type of fish we could catch. I watched Maxine reach in her pocket and pull out her cell. I watched her expression change from bewilderment to shock then, what looked like, fear. She got up and looked over at Tiffany as she stood and walked away. Tiffany followed her, and Cory sat with the rest of us, stunned.

My brother leaned into me and whispered, “That foreplay that I just witnessed between you and Max was hot. And what’s up with the ‘angel’ term of endearment?”

“What?” I looked over at him.

“You called her ‘angel.’”

I shook my head, “No, I didn’t.”

There was no way I used the nickname I used to call her back when we were together. But looking at my brother grin at me and nod his head, I knew he was right. I wondered if anyone else noticed.

Marc said, through the amused look plastered, on his face, “Tell me something. Was it always like that between you two?”

I rolled my eyes at him then sighed, “You have no idea.”

He laughed and sat back. Ten minutes later the food came, and I started eating part of my share. But I wanted to wait for Maxine. I wanted to make sure she ate her food, or I wasn’t letting go of my glass that has been calling me for the last fifteen minutes.

Finally, Tiffany returned to the table with tears in her eyes. She went to Cory and whispered in his ear. He rose quickly and left the table. AB grabbed Tiffany’s arm.

“What the hell was that all about?” AB asked.

Tiffany sighed.

“Maxine is leaving.”

“Why?” Marie asked.

I looked at Tiffany and asked, “Who was that on the phone?”

Tiffany looked at me and said softly, “Her father.”

“Did she give him her phone number?”

This was something that I needed to know. If he could get ahold of her, no telling who else could find her.

“I don’t think so.”

Cory came back in looking exasperated. He looked at Tiffany and shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Kat. She’s hell bent on leaving. She thinks he’ll find her and…”

“Who will find her?” AB asked.

I felt my brother and Marie looking at me. I returned their gaze. I then knew what they wanted me to do.

“Fuck,” I said, and then I took the Scotch to the head.