Numb (Senses Series Book 3) by Xavier Neal Page B

lips aren’t busy wrapped around your dick, why don’t you see if she’s up for it?”
    His eyes shut. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    “No?”
    The minute his mouth opens his cell phone goes off. Reluctantly, he reaches into his pocket and stares at the screen. Shaking his head he points a finger at me. “We’re not finished.”
    “Oh…but we are…” I say and walk around him as he answers the call.
    This time…I think we really are.

Chapter 13
    Maxx
    Once upon a time, pre Fight Night was something I looked forward to. Ice cream. Video games. Laughs. Hope. And now, every time it comes around there seems to be more dread submerged in it than before.
    “You’re avoiding going home,” Tony snaps as he closes his laptop.
    “I am not.”
    “You so are.” He chuckles, sliding it into his shoulder bag. “Still haven’t talked to Kellar huh?”
    His name alone makes me wanna eat something.
    Yes. I’m an emotional eater. Fucking sue me. Or give me a slice of pie. In fact, I’d prefer the pie. Pecan if you have it.
    “Sorry about yesterday,” I say sheepishly.
    “You knew what you were doing.” He pulls the bag onto his shoulder. “And I don’t blame you. But I don’t wanna be a pawn anymore, Maxx. We have a friendship and I like it. But don’t put me in the middle of anymore of your attacks please.”
    “Sorry,” I whisper. “You didn’t deserve that. I was out of line. I know I was. I was just…not thinking straight.”
    His hand lifts my chin up. “It’s all good. And you can reach me whenever you need me. That’s what friends are for.”
    Him. Did you hear him? This is the kind of a guy I should want! That we should all want. Understanding. Caring. Thoughtful. Why didn’t I go this direction? Why did I go the other fucking way? That’s right. Because that’s how it works in the movies! Because that’s how it works in books! When I get home I’m burning all my books for being full of lies and slander! No. No! I take that back! I could never hurt a book…well like that. I may or may not have thrown a novel across the room a time or two in my life. Oh come on, I know you have too! Or you’ve at least thought about it.
    “Now go home. Enjoy dinner. And you can call me if you need to.” He plants a brotherly like kiss on my forehead.
    “No date?” I follow him out of the office, my own computer bag dangling from my shoulder.
    “Flop last night. Major.”
    “Problem?”
    Shaking his head while we walk out the back exit he says, “Just wasn’t what I was looking for.”
    A thought wanders into my head. “Tony?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Do you even know what you’re looking for?”
    He uncomfortably scratches the back of his neck before pulling the keys out of his pocket. “No.”
    I watch Tony climb into his car waving goodbye at me while he’s suddenly stuck in the moment.
    What’s worse? Having no idea what you want, getting lost while you try looking for it, or knowing exactly what you want, but not being able to have it? Clearly either way is a Catch 22. But shouldn’t one of the shitty choices be remotely less shitty?
    After taking the long way, not only to avoid traffic but to reduce the time that I have to be in the same house with my former best friend, I eventually arrive home. Seeing his car in the driveway causes me to close my eyes as my head hits the headrest.
    You can do this, Maxx. You can do this. Just go in the house and head straight to your room. Make no eye contact with Erin. You can eat the stash of Twinkies in your room for dinner.
    Quickly, I grab my stuff and hustle to the front door with my game plan in mind. However the minute my feet are free from my shoes and I turn to head up the stairs, Logan is traveling down.
    You knew this was gonna happen.
    Before either of us has a chance to leak out a word Luke’s voice bellows, “Both of you. Dinner. Now.”
    In unison we croak out, “But—”
    “Now.” Luke firmly states.
    Knowing better