She turned and looked at him, a bemused smile curling her lips. Dont think thats going to get you anywhere, buddy, she said.
He caught up with her, grabbed her around the waist and tossed her over his shoulder. Well see about that, he said.
When they reached the house, it only took them a few seconds to strip off the clothes they wore. Max lifted her up on the kitchen island, his lips wandering over her body. She was perfect, every inch of her a delicious revelation.
This was exactly how he imagined weekends at the lake. A little wine, a little conversation and a lot of sex. Hed just never found the right companion, until now.
Ill bring the cooler in. Its too heavy for you!
The sound of his brothers voice shocked Max out of his haze of passion. Angela jumped, then quickly slid down beside Max. A moment later, the screen door opened and Dave and his family bustled inside.
A tiny scream burst from Angelas throat and Max cursed beneath his breath. They both dropped down to the floor, their heads poking above the countertop. Ah, Dave?
His brother glanced over into the kitchen, then stopped. The kids and Lauren ran into him from behind. Max? There you are. We saw the car. What are you doing up here?
I could ask you the same.
We thought wed come up for a few days. Lauren doesnt have to work on Monday and Tuesday, so we wanted to take a long weekend. I thought I told you.
Why is Uncle Max hiding? six-year-old Brittany asked. Can I play, too?
If you dont want your kids to get an eyeful, I think youd better take them outside, Max warned.
Everybody out. Dave and Lauren quickly hustled back out the door and a moment later, the cabin was silent.
Oh, no, Angela moaned. This is not the way I imagined meeting your family.
He turned to her. Youve imagined meeting my family?
No! I was speaking generically. Do you think they saw anything?
No. But Im pretty sure Dave and Lauren have a good idea what was going on. And it wasnt hide and seek.
Go get my clothes, she whispered. Im staying right here.
Max hurried out to the living room and gathered everything up in his arms, then returned to the kitchen. The clothes went on more quickly than theyd come off and when they were both fully dressed, he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door.
Come on, Ill introduce you.
Angela dug in her heels. No. I dont want to meet them. Not right now.
Theyll be fine.
When Max got to the door, he pushed it open.
Angela shook her head, but followed him, stepping outside. The kids were already down at the lake with Lauren and Dave was sitting on the porch steps. He stood when he saw Angela.
Hey, Im sorry, he said, holding out his hand.
Im Dave, Maxs very rude older brother.
This is Angela, Max said.
Weatherly? Dave asked.
Weatherby, she said. She glanced at Max, a questioning look in her eyes.
Dave helped me track you down after you gave me that bogus phone number. You really made an impression on him.
Im going down to the lake and introduce my self to your wife and children, Angela said. She walked down the steps and followed the path across the lawn.
I didnt see anything, Dave called to her. I swear.
Max jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow. Dont make it worse than it already is.
I lied, Dave muttered. I got an eyeful. But dont tell her that. And for Gods sake, dont tell Lauren. By the way, that girl has got a nice body. Shes the first naked woman Ive seen since Ive been married. I mean, except for pictures in magazines. And porn.
If you dont shut up right now, Im going to kick the shit out of you, Max warned.
Okay, Dave said. I just never thought youd be up here. When we saw the car, I figured wed have a nice family weekend.
I do own the place, Max said. Is it so difficult to believe that I might want a little privacy?
Of course not. But I just assumed youd be in the city. He picked up a football from the pile of toys hed brought along and tossed it up in the air. Hey, go out for a pass.
Im not in the mood, Max said. He had been in the mood for sex until a few minutes ago. The interruption had made things a bit uncomfortable for the moment.
Come on, Dave said. Dont be a pussy. Ill take it easy on you. You wont hurt yourself.
Max trotted across the lawn for twenty yards, then caught a perfect spiral from his older brother. Though Max had played football throughout high school and his first year of college, hed never liked it as much as baseball. He did remember how to catch a ball, though. Nice, he called.
Throw it back, Dave said.
Without thinking, Max heaved a pass, then realized he probably shouldnt be stressing his shoulder outside of his rehab exercises. He rubbed the spot just beyond his collarbone, surprised thered been no pain.
You all right? Dave called.
Im fine. Frowning, he walked over to his brother. It didnt hurt. In fact, it felt good. Strong. It hurts when I wake up in the morning, but after I warm up, it feels pretty good.
What did the team doctors say?
They did an MRI and a few other tests. They said its healed and I can start to throw again. I just have to start real easy.
Hey, thats great, Dave said, clapping him on his back.
Yeah, Max murmured.
You dont sound thrilled. How come?
He shrugged. I guess I just assumed it wouldnt come back, that I wouldnt have to make a decision about going back. That the decision would be made for me. But now theyre saying I could start training with the team again mid-July if everything goes well.
His stolen summer would be over before it really began. Hed have another month with Angela and then theyd go their separate ways, at least until the end of the baseball season.
Max grabbed the football and started toward the water. When hed come to Chicago for rehab, hed mentally moved on with his life. Once hed met Angela, a future without baseball seem even more attractive.
He sat down at the edge of the water. A moment later, Dave joined him. You want to tell me what this is all about? I thought you were determined to get back in the game.
I was. Not so much anymore.
Is it the girl?
Her name is Angela. And shes not just one of my girls. Shes different.
I can see that. But you say that about every girl you date.
Max cursed beneath his breath. This time, I mean it. I can see myself with herfor a long time. Maybe even married to her.
What do you know about her? Youve been together, what? A week? Maybe you ought to check her out before you fall in love, Dave suggested.
What do you mean? Like, hire a private investigator?
It couldnt hurt, Max. Youve got a lot of money.
You need to make sure shes interested in you for the right reasons.
You never suggested this with any of the other girls I dated.
Because those relationships were doomed from the start. But you really seem to like this girl.
Woman, Max insisted. Shes not a girl, shes a woman.
I can arrange for it, Dave said. I work with a firm that does background checks on our bartenders. Its a simple process.
Max shoved the football into Daves lap and stood up. Nope, theres no need. Ive got everything under control.
He walked along the pier toward Angela. Everything wasnt under control. There were still a lot of questions that needed to be answered. And he was running out of patience.
ANGELA PICKED A CARD, then showed it to the two girls. Blue, she said. She moved her Candyland marker to the next blue square. Im winning. You better watch out.
Brittany grabbed the next card. No, its my turn, Bethany cried.
Shes right, Angela said. She glanced over at Max and he smiled at her, then cocked his head toward the door. Angela nodded and a moment later, Max squatted down next to the coffee table. Im going to steal Angela away for a little while, he said. He held out his hand and pulled her to her feet. Come on. Were going for ice cream.
Me, too! Bethany cried, scrambling to her feet.
Take us. We wanna go, Brittany added.
No, its late, Max said. And its almost bedtime for you two. Well go tomorrow, I promise. But tonight, Angela and I want to go by ourselves.
I bet theyre going to get naked again, Brittany whispered as she and Bethany walked off.
Mama says they werent naked. They had their swimsuits on.
As they stepped outside, Max slipped his arm around her shoulders. We may have scarred them for life. When they got up to the driveway, Daves SUV was parked behind the BMW. Max pulled her along to the road. Well walk into town. Its only a mile. And its a nice night.
The winding road through the woods was quiet, with only the occasional rabbit or squirrel to interrupt the silence. My family used to come up here when we were kids. Wed rent a place on the other side of the lake. It was just a small cabin. My folks would stay inside and wed get to sleep in tents. I tried to buy the place when I was looking, but the family that owned it didnt want to sell.
This place is nice, she said.
I remember how much fun it was up here, the freedom we had. My folks would go to bed early and wed be out until all hours of the night, prowling around in the woods, playing in the water, walking into town.
As they approached town, the sky grew a bit brighter from the lights. The ice cream stand was a beacon in the dark, neon outlining the facade. The parking lot was crowded with cars and kids. We came here for ice cream almost every day. Back then a cone was just fifty cents. The place hasnt changed at all. What do you want-cone or bowl?
Bowl, Angela said.
Chocolate, vanilla or strawberry?
Strawberry, Angela said. With just a tiny bit of chocolate on the side.
Max nodded. I learn something new every day.
I would have pegged you for a pure chocolate girl.
He walked up to the window and placed their order.
A few moments later, he returned and they found a seat at a table beneath a tall maple tree.
This is nice, she said, licking a bit of ice cream off her spoon.
Its nice to be alone again. I feel like we havent been able to talk all evening. Im sorry about Dave and the kids showing up, Max said. I had no idea theyd be here.
Its not a problem. I kind of like it. Its a real family vacation. Lauren was saying that she was happy to see you using the place. She said the family likes having you around.