“Yeah? And what’s that?” he asked, turning his head to look at Max.
“I didn’t stand to lose Mia because of it.”
You could have breathed me in, even when it hurts to breathe, and I would have helped you heal.
Shane took a deep breath to ease the pain and clipped, “Don’t compare a woman I’ve known all of three days to your wife.”
Max leaned in and rested both his arms on the bar. When Shane turned his booze-soaked eyes back to him, Max answered.
“I knew the moment I looked into her eyes she was the one for me. I didn’t need a year, six months, or even a few weeks to know I would do whatever it took to win her heart. When love is involved and you find the one you’ve been looking for, you weather any storm ‘til you’re standin’ right where you want to be. So don’t give me that shit about only knowin’ her three days. I’ve watched you around Sage and I recognize the look. It stared back at me in the mirror the very day I met Mia. The only thing stoppin’ you from gettin’ in your truck and claimin’ that woman is your own stubborn need to be right.”
Shane’s temper ignited, and he raged, “You think I want to feel this way?”
The bar went on alert, heads turning in shock at his outburst.
“Jesus, Shane,” Max whispered. “I think you’ve felt this way for so long it’s like puttin’ on an old pair of jeans that has seen its last leg. It feels right on your skin, so you don’t know how to let it go. You gotta talk about what’s goin’ on in your head; purge the demons from your soul so you can move forward.” Max held Shane’s glare for a moment then looked back at his wife. “You know I’d die for her,” he announced.
Peeling his eyes from Max, Shane looked at Mia. He watched her face soften when Max caught her attention and he instantly envied him. He’d spent the last year flirting with the woman for God only knows what reason. Max thought it was so he’d beat the shit out of him, but Shane didn’t have a clue about anything at this point. Maybe he wanted to piss Max off because he had what Shane wanted; a reason to live.
Jake entered the bar as he and Max stood in a silent battle of wills and made his way toward them. When he was standing between Shane and Max, he turned his head and scanned the bar.
“Is Sage here?” he asked.
Max looked at Shane and watched his hand curl into a fist, so he carefully answered, “Nope.”
“Damn,” Jake grumbled, then smirked and dug his own grave. “I was hoping I could convince her to take a ride up the Grizzly Pointe, then maybe up to the hot springs.”
Shane’s stool hit the floor with a thud as he stood and faced Jake. Max stepped between the two men and prayed to God Shane reined in his temper.
“Is there a problem?” Jake asked.
“Yeah,” Shane jeered. “Stay the fuck away from Sage.”
Jake jerked his head to the side and eyed Shane. “You got a claim on her?”
“You need to leave,” Max ordered, laying a hand on Jake’s arm, trying to diffuse the situation.
“Why?”
“Stay. Away. From. Sage,” Shane growled, taking a step forward.
Jake looked Shane over from head to toe, then rose a single cocky brow. “Or what, big guy?”
Shane lunged and it was over.
He drew back his fist, slammed it into the side of Jake’s temple, and he was out for the count before Max could stop him.
Jake never saw the punch coming.
The bar grew quiet when Jake hit the floor, all attention focused on Shane as he leaned over Jake and seethed, “Or else.”
Max took hold of his arm and pulled him back, shoving him toward the bar.
“Jesus, Shane. You just laid out a good friend.”
Shane kept his eye trained on Jake, his jaw ticking as he ground his teeth, then he looked up and froze.
“Are you ready to get your shit together yet?” Max thundered.
Kneeling to check Jake, Max noted a welt had already begun to form. The power behind Shane’s punch was evident, and Max figured the rage swirling through his veins would burn him out eventually if something didn’t change. He glanced at Mia and saw a tear run down her cheek. Then he looked to his mother. Her face had paled, and her eyes were fraught with concern, reflecting sorrow he hadn’t seen in years.
“I love you like a brother, Shane,” Max stated, his voice hoarse with anger and emotion. “So hear me when I say, figure it out and figure it out soon. You can’t live like this, and it hurts like hell to watch.”
Shane didn’t respond to Max; his attention was directed over his shoulder toward the door. Max noted his eyes were glossy with booze and anger, and the hard line of his jaw said he was holding on by a thread. Turning his head, Max found what had captured Shane’s attention.