Dirty Boy (21 page)

Just as when she’d requested the items before, Max ignored her.

He turned to the door. “Goodnight, Story.”

“Where are you going?” she snarled, wanting to finish their argument.

“Not that it’s your fucking business, but to a party Addie invited me to.”

Story told herself she was glad that he was going to another woman. She wouldn’t have to suffer his presence this evening. Along with her anger and outrage, however, came resentment and despair. He was going to Addie. She couldn’t compete with their off-the-charts sexual chemistry.

“We need to finish our conversation,” she said to his back, holding herself together by sheer will. “I can boil some spaghetti for us to eat before you leave.”

He turned halfway. “That won’t be necessary. There’ll be more than enough for me to eat where I’m going.”

She glared at his double entendre and he smirked at her.

“Good night, Story,” he said, and walked out.

Max weaved his way through the crowd of half-dressed, or completely naked, chicks and dudes, at Addie’s place. He recognized several people he’d co-starred with and stopped to chat with them, soon discovering Addie was on the patio. After removing his clothes, with the exception of his swim trunks, and draping them over his arm, he grabbed a sandwich from the kitchen table, polishing it off in a couple of minutes. He was starving. He hadn’t eaten since earlier. Story’s offer of spaghetti had been tempting, but he’d had to leave.

Story had gotten under his skin and he’d almost backed off, going so far as to stupidly agree to cough up money for two semesters. However, Kayleigh had escaped justice because she’d killed herself. Babs was getting away with theft thanks to his father. Winston didn’t want retribution or restitution. Even worse, he was
still
paying some of her bills. He swore she’d made a mistake even as he admitted he couldn’t understand why.

Max bet the studio that Story knew how the entire affair had gone down and the reasons why.

He was being harsher than necessary, but he hated the weakness he felt in her presence. He wanted to ask her to sleep beside him and tell her why. Maybe, it
was
cliché, but having someone next to him to share his pain, someone he didn’t have to hide from, might help him. One of the reasons he’d accepted the invitation to Addie’s party was to escape sleep. The earlier he went to bed, the rougher his night was.

With that thought uppermost in his mind, he headed to the bar. It would be a mistake to trust Story, so he’d live his life as always. Drowning in pussy and alcohol.

After getting a bourbon and coke, Max headed to the patio, delighted at the naked volleyball game underway on the lawn.

“Hey, Max!” Addie called, breaking away from a group of bikini clad girls lounging around the pool. She hugged him. “You came!”

He smiled at her, determined to forget how sexy Story had looked fresh out of the shower. “I said I would.”

She grabbed the clothes he still had draped over his arm. “I’ll put your stuff in my personal cubbyhole in the cabana.”

“You’re very good at sharing your
cubbyhole
,” he teased.

She gave his arm a playful slap. “Oh my God, too funny!”

Still thinking of Story, Max didn’t reply.

“Be back in a sec. Let me put your clothes away.”

“Take your time. I’ll mingle.”

“Ryker’s here, inside somewhere.”

Either fucking or doing drugs. “Thanks, I’m sure I’ll run across him eventually.”

Giggling, Addie shrugged and hurried off. True to her word, she returned moments later. Max hadn’t moved from the spot she’d left him in, enjoying his drink and the squeals and bouncing tits of the girls.

“I’m back,” Addie announced.

“I see that, sweetheart.”

She nuzzled up to him and he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her tight to his body. She trailed her finger down his chest. “Where’s Story?”

The question surprised him. “I didn’t realize the invitation extended to her.” Not that it would’ve mattered. He still wouldn’t have brought her. The idea was to get away from her, not socialize.

“Oops! My fault,” she said with false regret. “I must have forgotten.”

“Obviously.”

“We can sneak away from my guests and go back to your place so the three of us can fuck again.”

Story would have a fit, for several reasons. “No.”

“Okay,” she said easily, as if it were no skin off her teeth either way. “We can have fun with everybody, then go to my room and fuck the night away.”

The suggestion gave him an empty feeling. He shoved it away and tweaked her nipple. “I like the way you think.”

Addie grabbed his free hand and brought it to her thong-clad cunt. Her pussy lips were already damp, ready for his dick.

His cock rose before Story’s request that they appear to be a committed couple drummed through his head. He could allow her to believe whatever he wanted her to. He didn’t have to broadcast not fucking other women off the set. But he would know his actions. He’d be able to look Story in the eye and know he’d honored that request.

He dropped his hand away and stepped back. “I have a long day tomorrow. No fucking for me tonight.”

Going with the flow, Addie grinned. “It’s Story, right?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You’re thinking of Story,” she guessed, raising Max’s hackles.

“Don’t think you can analyze me or stick your nose in my business. You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

A hurt look crossed her features and she pursed her mouth. “I’m not trying to pry,” she said softly. “I just think you and Story should give it a go. She’s in love with you.”

He didn’t doubt it, but he didn’t trust love, so she could keep it. “Not interested.”

“Would it be so bad to see where a relationship went with her? The worst that could happen is it doesn’t work out. You two are so hot together.”

He glared at her.

“You and me have an amazing sexual attraction. I could fuck you for the next month, but aren’t you tired of meaningless flings? You have a girl who sees past
this
—” She waved her hand to encompass everyone and everything they represented— “To the real you. In my book, that’s a thousand times better than anything we could ever have.”

“I never told her or
you
I wanted a relationship with anyone.” He downed his drink, then handed it to her. She sat the empty glass on a nearby table. “Frankly, this conversation is getting old.”

“Fine,” she said on a sigh. “I’ll drop it. Tell Story I tried.”

“She put you up to this?”

“No, I volunteered.” Addie lifted her chin. “So don’t snap her head off for something I did.”

“Excuse me?” a male interrupted.

Max turned to find a bouncer-type glowering at him. He narrowed his eyes. “May I help you?”

“Ryker around?”

“Who the fuck’s asking and how the fuck should I know?”

“You’re his brother, aren’t you?”

“Why don’t you tell me, fucker? Am I?”

“Yeah, you are. Pass along a message. Tell him I want my fucking money or else. I’m not a fucking loan company. He was supposed to have my ten grand four days ago. I gave him the blow on credit,
several times
. He has to pay up.”

The entire evening had pissed Max off. Now, this motherfucker came along to fan the flames of his simmering temper. He’d deal with Ryker. Stupid asshole, putting himself and everyone else in danger because he couldn’t stay fucking clean. Balling his fist, Max punched the brute’s jaw, ignoring the screeches of the women. Kneeing him in the groin, then giving him a one-two in the stomach, he grabbed his hair as he toppled. “You listen to
me
, motherfucker. If you
ever
,
EVER
approach me with anything less than fucking respect, I’ll break your fucking neck. Get the fuck out of here while you still can.” he snarled, then jerked the motherfucker away.

The guy staggered to his feet, holding his stomach. “This isn’t over. You’re lucky I’m not packing.”

If a gun had been involved, Max would’ve been shot. “Fair warning, thank you. I’ll start carrying my .357 again. The next time I see you, I’ll shoot your ass off before you get me. How’s that?”

“You’re fucking insane!” he charged, then winced and lowered his voice. “I’m not coming for you. I’m coming for Ryker. I just wanted you to pass along the message.”

Bullshit, but Max wasn’t in his house, so he wouldn’t ruin Addie’s party. “Ask me nicely and I might.”

“When you see Ryker, would you tell him I’m looking for him?”

“No. I don’t know who the fuck you are.”

“Tico. He’ll know me.”

“I’m sure.” Max gave him a cold smile. “Get out. You’re ruining my friend’s party and that’s making me very unhappy.”

“I’m leaving.”

It was only after he left that Max realized the motherfucker must’ve been following him to know where he was.

“Are you all right?” Addie asked, still at his side.

“Where’s Ryker?”

She winced.

“Wherever the drugs are in here,” Max guessed.

“Yes.”

“Find him and tell him I want to see him.”

“You—”

“
Now
.”

Addie scampered away without another word. While he waited for Ryker, he went to the outside bar and asked for another bourbon and coke. He was so fucking glad Story wasn’t with him. The motherfucker would’ve seen her as leverage and then Max really would’ve gotten his weapon and went after him.

“Hey, handsome,” a girl greeted.

Max nodded to her, distracted, focused on Ryker’s stupidity that could’ve put Story in danger.

“Max?” Ryker called, heading toward him. “Addie said you needed to talk to me.”

“I do,” Max replied calmly, setting his drink on the bar, and then heading to the deep end of the pool. “Take a swim with me.”

Ryker scowled at him, his reddened eyes and dilated pupils telling Max the story. “I’m not interested in a fucking swim.”

“I wasn’t asking you. I’m telling you.” Without waiting for his brother’s answer, Max jumped into the water, the cold bite chilling him but not cooling his temper. He broke the surface and saw Ryker sitting on the edge, dangling his feet in.

Max swam to him, grabbed his ankle and yanked him in. Before Ryker got his bearings, Max dragged the flailing motherfucker to the shallow end and held his head under.”

“Max!” Addie screamed, alarmed at Ryker’s struggles.

Max yanked his head up, unconcerned at his brother’s sputters. “Tico visited me, motherfucker,” he snarled and dunked his head in again before lifting him up. “Obviously, rehab hasn’t helped you. Maybe this will.” Another dunk.

Addie hurried down the steps and grabbed his arm. “You’re going to drown him,” she cried. “Stop it.”

He pulled Ryker up again.

Ryker grabbed Max’s arm. “Stop, please! I’m sorry.”

“I don’t appreciate being approached for
your
drug debt.” Just the thought made him push Ryker’s head under again for a moment before he released him. “Get the fuck out of here. Find the ten grand and pay the motherfucker before I kill
you
and him.”

Coughing and gagging, Ryker dragged himself out of the pool and stayed on his hands and knees.

“You want to fuck with coke? Pay your fucking debts. You earn enough. I don’t like loose ends, Ryker. Especially sloppy ones.”

Ignoring everyone, Max got out of the pool, aware that Addie followed him. He stood over his brother.

“You know what makes me angrier? I asked if you needed my help and you said no. He could’ve come in here with a gun and shot my ass off because of you. He could’ve shot Addie or any of these women here, asshole. Any of the guests, period. I don’t know how he found me, instead of you, but you pay him and tell him to back off.”