Picking Up the Pieces (Pieces, #2)(84)

Max f*cking Samson was there.

I couldn’t figure out why I’d been so shocked. He’d told Shane he’d take him up on his offer to try out CrossFit. I knew that. But there was something about having him there—in a place I almost considered a second home—that felt too invasive. Jesus, Lily. He’s just in your gym, not your vagina. Get a f*cking grip.

I’m not sure if it made it better or worse that Max didn’t seem fazed at all by me. He strolled confidently over to where I stood, picking up his keys from the floor on the way. “Thanks, Shane.” Oh, shit. When did Shane come over here? I’d been so involved in my shock at seeing Max, I hadn’t even noticed that Shane had come over to talk to Amanda. “You weren’t kidding. This is a killer workout. I appreciate the opportunity to come by,” Max added.

I could tell Shane was tempering his excitement. “Yeah, man. Anytime. We’d love to have you back.”

The two shook hands before Max shifted his eyes toward me. “Nice to see you again, Lily,” he said tentatively. “Enjoy your workout.”

“Uh, thanks. Nice to see you too.” We both hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to finalize our uncomfortable goodbye. Will it be weird if we hug? Will it be weirder if we don’t?

“I’ll make sure Shane goes a little easier on you next time,” Amanda said to assuage some of the tension. “He likes to ride people pretty hard sometimes.”

I saw Max smirk at the sexual connotation of her comment. Would there ever be a time when his mind wasn’t in the gutter?

“I never heard you complaining,” Shane fired back at Amanda with a wink.

“Looks like you’ve got your hands full with this one, Shane,” Max said, pointing at Amanda. “Thanks again. I’m sure I’ll see you before the bachelor party. Ladies, it was nice seeing you both again,” Max added politely before heading toward the exit.

“Sounds good! I look forward to it,” Shane called out over the blaring music as Max made his way to the door.

“Jesus, Shane, you might wanna adjust your broner. People can see it through your shorts.”

“My what?” Shane asked, only half-listening as he looked over Amanda’s head toward the door where Max had just exited.

“Your broner. It’s a boner for another dude.”

“Oh, shut up. That’s not a real thing. You just made that up.”

“It is too a real thing. I may have made up the term ‘broner’—which is awesome, by the way—but your man crush on him is totally real.”

“I don’t have a man crush on him. He’s just a cool guy who likes sports and is in great shape. We have a lot of the same interests.”

“What would those other interests be? Gazing at each other longingly and lying on his back as he does push-ups? I can’t believe you invited him to the bachelor party. You know it’s gonna be a joint party. Lily will be there. And she sure as hell isn't gonna feel like hanging out with Max Samson for a whole weekend.”

“That’s why you had me come later, isn’t it?” I asked. “You knew he’d be here.” I appreciated that Amanda had stopped me from going to the exact same class as him, but it was more awkward that she hadn’t prepared me to see him. I wasn’t sure where he and I stood, so a little heads up would’ve been helpful. And now I’d have to spend an entire weekend with him in Atlantic City for Shane and Amanda’s party. I thought back to the last time Max and I had been in Atlantic City together. Shit, I’m really f*cked. Even though this time I was sure we wouldn’t be having any secretive, sexual encounters, Adam wouldn’t be so sure. “If Adam knows Max is going to the party, he’s gonna lose his shit.”

“What’s the worst that Adam thinks could possibly happen? It’s not like you’re gonna screw Max there or somethi—” Amanda stopped abruptly when she realized her mistake. “Yeah, never mind. He’ll probably be pissed if he finds out.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about, Lily,” Shane tried to assure me. “He’s bringing his girlfriend to the bachelor party weekend. Now I gotta start class. We can talk about this later.”

Girlfriend? I wasn't sure why, but this news filled me with more dread than my impending conversation with Adam. I blew out a breath. "Today sucks," I muttered before starting my jumping jacks and contemplating running away from home.





Chapter 32: Adam


“Today is the day, Adam. Let’s go.” Lily was positively giddy.

“I know, I’m ready.” I was behaving purposely reluctant, though was actually feeling the opposite. Not that I was excited to go with her to CrossFit, but seeing her so happy was contagious. I started shuffling papers on her dining room table.

“What are you doing?” she accused more than asked.

“Just making sure my will is in order before I let you drag me to my death.”

“You’re so dramatic,” she murmured as she rolled her eyes. “Now, come on. If we’re late we have to row, and I prefer to not begin my workouts exhausted.”

I followed her out of her apartment and used my key to lock her door. As I looked down at her house key on my keychain, I shook my head slightly, smiling. Who would’ve ever thought that we’d be here when we got back together in December? It still didn’t seem real.