Max (A Carter Brother series Book 4) by Lisa Helen Gray Page A

be so cool. We could...’’
    “What? Sit around and paint each other’s nails?’’
    “Bro, you wanna back off?’’ Malik growls, coming to stand behind Harlow in a protective stance. I roll my eyes at him. Pussy whipped. Harlow has had him by the balls since she moved in next door. I can’t even dislike her either because I love her like a sister. But still, Malik was badass before.
    “Look, all I’m saying is a stag party is a rite of passage. For centuries grooms have been given a night of freedom, a night to reflect on what is and what will be. It’s a night for a group of close friends and family to give the groom a night to remember without the constraints of their fiancée there.’’
    “You make it sound like I’m chaining him down,’’ Denny snaps. I give her a sheepish look. Isn’t that what a wedding ring is? A chain that holds them down?
    “Henry Vlll had a stag party, Spartans even had a stag party, so, goddamn it, Mason will have a stag party,’’ I boom, slamming my fist down at the table.
    “Hey, um, Joan said could you keep it down,’’ Lake whispers, walking in.
    “No! Not until Mason agrees that I’m right,’’ I all but yell, standing up. My eyes glue to Lake’s body. She’s wearing skin tight leggings with a hoody that looks extra large on her. Her hair is pulled up into a messy bun and she’s not wearing any makeup, not that I’ve ever seen her with any on. She looks hot as fuck.
    “On second thoughts, we can have a joint stag party. Lake here can be the stripper. Bagsy having the first lap dance,’’ I grin, giving a wink to Lake. Her face turns stormy and before I know it she’s in front of me, pointing at my chest. I’m shoved back in my chair completely shocked. She’s actually going to give me a lap dance. I smirk up at her, placing my hands at my side. But instead, I get a slap around the face.
    “What the fuck was that for?’’ I cry, holding a hand to my stinging cheek. My eyes start watering and I curse loudly.
    “Oh, he’s gonna cry,’’ Malik teases from behind me.
    I ignore his comment and the others as I race out of the room after Lake. She’s in her room by the time I catch up to her. When I slam the door shut behind me she looks up from the bed wide eyed. I’m about to lay into her about hitting me but then I see her tear streaked face and I keep my mouth shut.
    I’ve never been good with tears: men or women. But seeing Lake cry, a crippling pain etches inside my chest.
    “Hey, I’m sorry,’’ I tell her softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. I don’t know what I’m actually apologising for but it seems like the right thing to do. I’ve watched Mason do it a thousand times with Denny when she’s upset. Malik just carries Harlow off to their room and somehow I can’t see Lake being okay if I did that.
    “Just because I don’t have a home, or any family, or a well paid job, doesn’t mean I’d do that for money. Don’t treat me like a piece of meat,’’ she sniffles into the pillow.
    “Lake. Fuck. What I said downstairs was a joke. Not that I wouldn’t want a lap dance off you, I fucking would, but I didn’t mean it like you heard it. Harlow is trying to convince Mason and Denny to have a joint hen and stag party. I was just trying to get her to see the error of her ways,’’ I rush out, hoping she believes me. It’s not like she has any reason to; I come out with stupid shit all the time and I’ve never had to explain myself.
    “It was degrading, Max. You made me feel a fool in front of them all.’’
    “I didn’t mean to. I really am sorry,’’ I heatedly tell her, knowing this time I mean it one hundred percent. “Why did you leave last night? Did I try to feel you up? I’ve been told a time or three that I have a tendency to do that.’’
    “What? No, you didn’t,’’ she tells me, her lips twitching while she wipes her eyes.
    “You sure? I can get really touchy feely. You only had to wake me up,’’ I