Ruined: Loving An Alpha Male(144)
“Of course I do. What do you think I am? An amateur?”
Three hours later, I was nursing a bruise on the side of my cheek with a Scotch in my hand at Lou’s bar. Lou was sitting there telling me about the different men he had trained over the years.
I was on my third drink when he finally said, “So why are you looking for Max?”
“I’ve come to bring her home with me, express my undying love for her, and beg for her to give me a second chance.”
Lou scoffed.
“Yeah, good luck. That woman is hard to crack.”
I nodded.
“Yeah well, I plan to try for the rest of my life to get her back.”
Lou sighed, and then he then spoke more than I have ever heard him say since I met him.
“Maxine’s grandfather and I were great friends. When Max moved in with him, I took her under my wing. I looked out for her through all of her life since then. I’m not sure what happened to you two, but I will say she went through a lot when you broke up the first time. What makes you think you deserve a second chance?”
“Lou, I know I screwed up big time. But I will do anything and everything I can to make this up to her. Maxine is the complete reason for my existence. I love her. I want to protect her and keep her safe. I want to make sure that no one ever lays a hand on her and is able to live and tell about it. She’s my world, my earth, the love of my life. I’m just not whole without her. One thing I know, Lou, is that she was made for me, and I was made for her.”
Lou took the last of his Scotch.
“Well, I hope you can remember to say all that babble you just said to me to convince her. You’re right, though. I think you two belong together. But…If you hurt her again…I will kill you.”
I nodded my head solemnly. “I have no doubt you will.”
Chapter 25
Mason
It’s been a week and a half now, and I still haven’t found her. I have Sammy, Roland’s guy, looking all over for her, but he hasn’t found her yet. She hasn’t used any credit cards on hotel rooms. There are no apartments in her name and no bank accounts with her name showing up. Lou told me she came to see him a few times, but he wouldn’t give up where she was staying. I haven’t lost hope that I would find her. I’m glad it’s taking a while, so I can plan everything I need to say to her. I have to put on my best salesman game face to win her over. If not, I wasn’t above fucking begging.
I had just gotten out of the shower around 9 p.m. on a cold fall night, and I was heading downstairs to see what was going on in the sports world. I haven’t sold or rented out my apartment for a few months now. I was thinking about selling it, but as I walked in the place I hadn’t seen in years I felt at home. I know the reason for that was Maxine. We’ve spent so much time together in this apartment, cooking together, watching television, making love. We’ve christened every part of the apartment, which is probably why I stayed away so long. The memories consumed me when I walked in, and as I came down the stairs it consumed me once more.
I sighed heavily, and when I turned the corner to head to the kitchen, someone was standing by the island.
We stared at each other; stunned, I’m sure, that we were both here. I then smiled and walked toward her. She, on the other hand, stepped back
“I see you’ve made it back in one piece,” she said without an ounce of sincerity.
“Yes, I have. Thanks for your concern,” I said dryly.
I know sarcasm isn’t probably the best decision but I couldn’t help it. Asshole, remember? Anyway, one thing about Max is that sarcasm rolls off her back with ease.
“What are you doing here?” she asked me.
I walked closer to her.
“I came looking for you.”
She scoffed.
“Yeah, really? And you thought I’d be here?”
I shook my head.
“No, I’ve been here in Philly for a while. I’ve been hoping you would show up somewhere eventually.”
“And what if I didn’t?”
I shrugged.
“Then I guess I’d be here until you did.”
She put her hands on the counter, and I said quickly, “I thought you were waiting for me to get back, so we could talk.”
“Yeah well, you took too long. So I figured I’d move on.”
I put my head down.
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t expect it to take that long.” I moved closer still asking, “Do you think you could stay for a while so we could talk?”
“Um, no. There’s really no need, Mason.”
“I beg to differ. I think there is every need.”
She frowned.
“Why? Because you say so? You disappear to do God knows what for three months, and what do you expect me to do? Why aren’t you talking to your fiancé? I’m sure she misses you.”