a reason to live(7)

Turning back to the bar, Shane picked up his shot of whiskey and threw it back. Then he stood, his face blank of emotion, unable to don his fake façade at that moment, and threw bills on the bar.

“Been a long day, Maxine. Tell Max and Mia I’ll catch them tomorrow,” Shane mumbled before buzzing a kiss against her cheek and turning toward the door.

“Shane,” Maxine whispered, regret coloring her words as she reached out her hand and grabbed his arm. “You’re family, you and Max, and I love you like a son. I only want what’s best for you.”

He turned back and saw the guilt on her face. Christ, she felt sorry for upsetting him and that was almost as bad as pity.

“I'm all right, Maxine,” Shane lied, “I’ll talk to you soon,” he finished and then squeezed her hand before letting go and moving toward the door.

Even though it was eight in the evening, it was still bright outside when he pushed through the bar’s door and caught sight of Max. He had Mia pinned against his truck, his massive frame bent so he could devour her mouth.

Shane’s mood had deteriorated after Maxine’s confrontation, so he tried to move past them unnoticed. Unfortunately for Shane, Mayor Madison took that moment to holler out a greeting to the newlyweds on his way to the bar, causing Max to turn.

Escape eluded him.

When Max looked up at the mayor’s greeting and caught him leaving, Shane called out, “I see the honeymoon isn’t over.” He turned up his smile, his façade firmly back in place, and then winked at Mia. “When you get tired of the big guy, you know where to find me,” he crooned, his voice as smooth as honey.

Max didn’t comment on his proposition, per usual, he just pulled Mia into his side and then wrapped his arm around her shoulders while he glared.

Keep them off balance and they won’t ask questions.

“You do like playing with fire,” Mia giggled, her crystal–blue eyes sparkling with mirth.

“I like playing with fire, bears, black-haired beauties with . . . What the fuck does your T-shirt say?”

Looking down at her shirt, Mia giggled. “Property of Thor, God of Thunder,” she answered, then turned and smiled like a lovesick fool at Max.

“Subtle, Max,” Shane chided.

Max shrugged and pulled Mia in closer to his side.

“So, how are my bears?” Mia asked as she and Max moved toward him.

“Booboo’s a pain in the ass because he wants to be fed six times a day.”

“Booboo is not a pain in the butt. He just likes spending time with you. I think he follows you for a reason. I just haven’t figured out that reason.”

“He’s a pest.”

“You love him, admit it.”

Shane grinned. He was fond of the damn bear, but he’d never admit it.

“What about Nala?”

“I spotted Nala with her new cub day before yesterday. She won’t let me close enough to see if it’s a girl or a boy, though.”

“Finally. I’ll head out tomorrow and see if I can find her.”

“Take Jake with you,” Max ordered.

“Max, I’m perfectly capable of—”

“Falling off a cliff, I know. Not. Without. Jake,” Max warned.

Shane had heard this song and dance since Max and Mia had hooked up. She was the clumsiest woman Shane had ever met and she kept Max on his toes because of it. In fact, her clumsiness brought the two of them together just a few months after he’d returned home.

Just as they reached him and Max put out his hand to shake Shane’s, he heard Maxine call out, “Are you pregnant yet?”

“We’ve only been married two weeks,” Mia gasped in reply.

“And?” Maxine answered, moving in for a hug from her son.

With both Max and Mia holding Maxine’s attention, Shane saw his opportunity to make an escape before Maxine could corner him again. Stepping back, ready to call out he had an errand to run, his progress was halted when he felt a presence behind him.

“Excuse me, Sergeant Sherman?” a soft, sweet voice asked from behind him.

Shane whipped around at the sound of her voice. A voice so similar to one he hadn’t heard in exactly one year. Auburn hair threaded with copper highlights glistened in the late day’s sun. It surrounded cat-like pale-green eyes that had haunted his dreams, and he froze. His heart rate began to accelerate at the sight of Private Sloan’s sister, and the need to retreat was overwhelming.

“Sergeant Sherman, I’m—”

“I know who you are,” he bit out, taking a step back

“I just wanted to thank—”

“I don’t want thanks, not from you, not ever. Especially not today,” he growled.