Max (A Carter Brother series Book 4) (45 page)

“Sorry. I guess I’m not used to sharing her,’’ Logan winces, looking apologetic.

“But she wasn’t yours to begin with,’’ Alec snaps, his fist clenching.

The waitress walks over with our tray of food, interrupting the thick tension surrounding the table.

“Thank you,’’ I smile, watching her walk away before turning back to a fuming Alec.

“Calm down, he didn’t mean anything by it. Did you Logan?’’ I make eye contact with Logan, pleading with him silently to make this right.

“Nah, mate. I guess I’m not used to seeing her with anyone.’’

“That’s because you haven’t been in her life for the past two years,’’ Alec snaps.

“I’ve been pretty busy,’’ Logan grits out, displeased with Alec’s accusation.

“Will you both pack it in?’’ I hiss across the table.

“Yeah, but it doesn’t give you the right to act like you’re the one with my girl,’’ Alec fumes.

“If your that insecure about your relationship then that’s on you,’’ Logan says calmly.

The argument is escalating and it’s not getting them anywhere but riled up. I’ve tried to open my mouth to say something a few times, to get them to calm down, but one or the other speaks up, their voices rising and gaining attention of the other customers.

“Fuck you. Fuck you! You’ve done nothing but try to pull her away from me since you arrived this morning. And what was that, walking into her room whilst she was getting changed? You don’t do that fucking shit,’’ Alec growls, the veins in his neck pulsing.

“This is getting out of hand. Alec, Logan has already said he’s sorry about earlier and he’s just being my friend. You’re taking this all the wrong way,’’ I tell him softly, hoping to calm him down.

“You seriously don’t see what he’s trying to do?’’ he yells, pushing his chair back roughly, standing up.

“Your blowing this out of proportion,’’ I tell him, my voice pleading, almost begging for him to see how irrational he’s being.

He shakes his head down at me, disappointment in his eyes. “Enjoy your breakfast,’’ he snaps giving Logan one last narrowed gaze.

“Alec, don’t go,’’ I plead before he leaves, hating that this is happening.

“I can’t sit here and watch him be all over you,’’ he says to me sadly, his voice still holding a hard edge.

“Please,’’ I beg again, my eyes burning with unleashed tears as he walks away.

“Let him go,’’ Logan says gently, his hand on my arm, stopping me from chasing after Alec.

“What just happened?’’ I whisper to the table.

Allie puts her coffee down, her food too untouched and grabs her coat from the back of her chair.

“I’m going to go and let you two catch up. Go easy on Alec though, Willow. You’re his girlfriend and he just feels threatened,’’ she tells me softly, her eyes flickering nervously towards Logan.

“It’s Logan,’’ I say furiously. “He can’t seriously believe something would be going on between the two of us.’’

I’m actually a little disgusted that he would even imply such a thing. I’ve told Alec so many times that Logan is like a brother to me, a brother I never had. My mum never remarried after my dad or had a new relationship, so I’ve always been the only child. Having Logan looking out for me all through school felt like having a big brother, that was the same age.

“Cheers babe,’’ Logan sniffs, his jaw clenched.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way,’’ I tell him. Can I dig a bigger hole for myself?

“Maybe explain it better to Alec and maybe Logan can back off with the touchy feely shit when Alec’s around,’’ Allie suggests attentively, seeming uncomfortable bringing it up.

“Jealous, Allie?’’ Alec sneers. “Maybe you need to get laid?’’

“Logan,’’ I snap, not liking what’s gotten into him. There’s no need to speak to Allie like that, not when she’s just trying to help.

“Willow, it’s fine. I’m going home to start unpacking. When you get back we’ll go shopping,’’ she smiles.

“Okay,’’ I agree, feeling another headache coming. Allie leans down, kissing my cheek before exiting the cafe, leaving me alone with Logan.

“Well that was eventful,’’ Logan mutters.

“Don’t,’’ I warn, hoping he’s not about to bad mouth Alec or Allie in front of me.

“I’m joking. Maybe we should just stay away from each other. I don’t want to be the reason you’re unhappy,’’ he says sadly, looking ready to bolt.

“No! Please don’t say that. I’m not losing my best friend when I just got him back because my boyfriend doesn’t like our friendship. He’s going to have to get used to having you around and in my life,’’ I tell him, hating that it’s come to this. The two will be playing football together; I don’t want to get in the way of that too.

“Okay, but if he doesn’t like it and starts getting pushy with you, give me a bell.’’

“He’s not violent,’’ I scoff, smiling at his over-protectiveness.

“You never know. They always say to watch out for the quiet ones,’’ he teases, but there’s a seriousness in his voice that I can’t ignore.

“Shut up,’’ I laugh, playing it off as his protectiveness over me.

“You excited about starting uni?’’ he asks, changing the subject, to which I’m grateful for.

I grin. I am more than excited. “Yeah, we start next week. What about you?’’

“I’m sad I’ve only got a year left before I have to leave you again,’’ he pouts. “I want to spend as much time with you as possible.’’

“I’ll always be in your life,’’ I grin, nudging him with my shoulder. I pick up my fork, digging in to my lukewarm breakfast.

“I know,’’ he grins, eating his own food. Swallowing, he turns to me. “When do you find out about the uni paper you were chattin’ on about?’’

I handed in a course paper, an article on a woman who was kidnapped when she went hiking in the outback’s of Australia. That’s what got me into the top journalism class the university has to offer, but it’s not the paper that will get me into Whittall university newspaper.

“From what the guidance councillor was telling me, I’ll have to do another article before they will enter me into working with the university paper. Plus, they’ll need to determine if I have a place on their paper.’’

“That’s great though isn’t it?’’ Logan grins around a mouthful of food.

“Yeah. The class only has a limited amount of students. I’m hoping to get a place, but I’ll also be job hunting in the meantime.’’

Logan frowns. “Do you need money? I’ve got some,’’ he rushes out, but I stop him offering, holding my hand up.

“No! No! I’m fine, I have money. I just want to save enough money over the next year so my mum doesn’t have to worry about next year’s bills and stuff.’’

“How is your mum?’’

“Good,’’ I smile, hoping he doesn’t see the nerves twitch in my eye. My mum doesn’t exactly know about Logan still attending the university. She presumed he finished last term and I didn’t disagree. I don’t think she would have let me attend this uni, or she would have demanded to come with me.

Since mum and Allie’s parent’s fell out with Logan’s, my mum has hated me hanging out with him. She only got off my back about hanging out with him when he left for college, never bringing him up again.

“I’m surprised she let you attend the same college as me,’’ he smirks, knowing my mum’s strong dislike for him and his family.

“She’s not that bad,’’ I lie, and quickly change the subject. “So, you want to hang out after, come shopping with me and Allie?’’ I ask.

“How about I come over with a takeaway and a movie tonight?’’

“Yeah, okay. Nothing gory though,’’ I remind him, giving him a warning look.

“Wouldn’t dream of it babe,’’ he winks. I want to smack this ‘babe’ shit out of him. I let it lie, not wanting anymore drama and finish my breakfast in silence.

Now all I have to do is make things right with Alec. One thing is for sure, I’m not running to him to apologise, he can come to me. I just hope he’s not stubborn enough to let my friendship with Logan come between
our
relationship.

We finish breakfast, talking about places around the university and other random topics. We stay for a while longer, catching up like old times before he drives me back home where we say goodbye.

I’m praying that I did Max’s character justice and that you enjoyed his novel. I can’t even tell you how hard it was writing his story.

I had to draw a line between charming and arrogant, funny and cocky and so on when it came to Max. He’s not one or the other; he’s a character that hovers over the line. He’s everything and more. Trying to keep his identity and his characteristics had been so hard throughout the whole book. There were times when he was in a serious situation and I’d have to make sure he was still Max without making him sound like a jerk. I had worked so many nights trying to get this right so I really hope all that hard work paid off for you all.

First off, I wanted to thank all the readers who have supported the Carter brother series from the beginning.

Your support means everything to me.

Your emails, reviews, messages, and posts that I get daily from so many of you have inspired me. You’ve driven me to become a better writer. It also gave me the confidence boost that I needed. For that, I’ll be forever grateful.

To Rachel, my PA, who I regretfully forgot to mention in my last book *sad sighs*, thank you.

We may not have met and we might never get to meet, but I’ll never find another friend like you. Even when you post scary doll pictures on my wall I still love you.

Thank you. Thank you for taking the time out of your life to help little old me get release posts sent out. For
making
my beautiful release posts and just generally being there for me when I’ve needed someone to talk to. But even without the things you do as my PA, you’d still be an amazing person.

Love you woman.

I’m not good at writing these, so I’m just going to finish with a huge thank you to everyone who helps the process of this book getting published. I’m not going to name names because let’s face it, I’m bound to forget one.

Thank you, to each and every one of you. Whether you’re a blogger, reader, friend, PA, editor, cover designer or a beta reader, this message is to all of you. Thank you.

If you enjoyed Max’s story make sure you check out the other books in the Carter Brother series.

Malik
~ Book One (Malik and Harlow’s book)

Mason
~ Book Two (Mason and Denny’s book)

Myles
~ Book Three (Myles and Kayla’s book)

Evan
~ Book 3.5 (Evan and Kennedy’s book)

Max ~ Book Four (Max and Lake’s book) Now Available

Maverick ~ Book Five ~ Coming late 2016

Forgotten series

Better Left Forgotten
~ Book One (Cailtyn and Cage’s book)

Obsession
~ Book Two (Danni and Nate’s book)

Forgiven
~ Book Three (Kelly and Dante’s book)

Whithall University

Foul Play ~ Book One (Coming July)

Book Two ~ September 2016

Standalones

If I could I’d wish it all away ~ (Being republished and reedited. Coming July)

Almost Free ~ (2017)

Lisa Helen Gray is Amazon's bestselling author of the Forgotten Series and Carter Brother series. 

She loves hanging out, but most of all, curling up with a good book or watching movies. When she's not being a mom, she's been a writer and a blogger. 

She loves writing romance novels, ones with a HEA and has a thing for alpha males. 

I mean, who doesn't!

Just an ordinary girl surround by extraordinary books

Hey, if you haven’t already, make sure you head over to my social pages and give them a like.

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