Maxie always had a way of throwing words at me like knives, then pretending she didn't just stab me in the chest. One second she was my best friend, my sister-from-another-mister. The next, she was a full-blown menace.
I was used to it. People outside thought I was some quiet, boring girl maybe even gay, just because I didn't do the whole boyfriend drama like everyone else. It didn't bother me much, but when Maxie used it as ammo? I swear, she could drag me to hell and still make me laugh.
That afternoon was no different.
I left her in the living room, too tired to fight. My body still ached from last night, the street, the drinks, the mess. I didn't even have the strength to look at myself in the mirror.I threw on a pair of ripped jeans and a plain oversized tee. It was the kind of outfit that screamed I don't care, because honestly, I didn't. My hair was in a messy bun, my face bare, no makeup, no filter, just me trying to look alive after a night that nearly killed me. After all the drama in the morning claiming to act all tough I still felt tired.
When I stepped out, Maxie looked up from her phone and nearly dropped it.
"Girl, where are you going dressed like that? A construction site?"
I frowned, glancing down at myself. "It's called being comfortable, Maxie."
She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they'd get stuck. "Comfortable my foot. You look like you just broke up with someone who never existed."
Before I could defend myself, she was already heading to my room to dig through my closet. "Uh-uh. You're not walking beside me looking like a background extra in your own life."
"Maxie, I'm not in the mood for your..."
"Try this," she said, cutting me off and tossing a simple fitted crop top and a flared skirt my way. "It's casual but hot. Like 'I woke up like this' energy."
I stared at the outfit, then at her. "This screams 'I want attention.'"
She smirked. "Exactly. You've been invisible for too long. Let's remind the world you exist and that you have curves, not just sarcasm."
I groaned. "You're insane."
"Maybe," she said, tilting her head, "but I'm also right. Now go change, bitch."
I sighed dramatically but took the clothes anyway. Deep down, I knew she wasn't wrong.
When I came back out, she whistled. "Ohhh damn. Look at my girl! From sleep-deprived ghost to snack in two minutes!"
I tried to act unimpressed, but I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and yeah, maybe I didn't look so bad.
"Don't get used to it," I warned.
She grinned. "Oh, I already have."
I walked back into the kitchen and grabbed my plate of food, already bracing for her next verbal grenade.
"Sharon…" she said softly this time, like some born-again angel.
My fork paused midair. "What?"
"Why do you choose to hurt yourself this much?"
I blinked at her. "Hurt myself?"
"Yes, Sharon. Don't you feel horny at times? How do you even cope with that?"
I nearly choked on my toast. "Excuse me?"
Maxie wasn't done. She leaned in, eyes wide, lips twitching with mischief. "I'm your best friend. You can tell me anything. Or…" She lowered her voice and tilted her head like she was about to deliver a bombshell. "Do you not have a p***sy?"
I dropped my fork. "MAXIE!"
She blinked at me, all innocent.
I clutched my stomach, laughter spilling out uncontrollably. It was either laugh or faint. "Are you still high from last night's liquor?" I managed between giggles. "Because it looks like you need to see a doctor."
She raised her hands like she was under arrest, though her lips curled into a guilty smile. "I'm just saying! You act like you're allergic to men, Sharon. People are starting to talk."
"Let them talk." I rolled my eyes. "And for your information, I am not allergic. I'm selective. There's a difference."
"Oh please. Selective my ass, you've been saying that all morning it's noon now. You act like your first kiss came with fireworks and a marching band."
"It did.... Kinda," I said automatically.
Her eyes widened. "Wait… you mean you still..."
"Don't start," I cut in.
Maxie threw her head back and cackled. "No wonder you hit my brother yesterday. The poor boy just wanted a kiss."
I glared. "Your brother tried to take advantage of me while I was half-drunk. And you knew it!"
Her laughter faded. "Okay, okay, fine. You're right." She reached out and touched my arm. "But seriously, Sharon… you can't keep living like this. You're twenty and still acting like a nun."
I swallowed hard, but I didn't respond. She didn't need to know everything. Not yet.
Before I could think of a comeback, there was a knock at the door.
Maxie jumped up immediately. "That's my brother. He's here to pick us up."
My stomach did a weird little flip.
I didn't know why, but the moment she said brother, a rush of last night's memory hit me, the bar, his eyes, his hand grabbing my arm. My jaw clenched automatically.
"Don't worry," Maxie said over her shoulder as she headed for the door. "I told him to behave. Besides, today's a new day. Clean slate, right?"
I forced a smile I didn't feel. "Right."
I quickly stood up, dropped my plate in the sink, and grabbed my bag. My plan was simple: smile politely, apologize if necessary, and vanish into the day before Maxie's brother could start anything again.
But as soon as I heard the low rumble of a man's voice on the other side of the door, something inside me went still.
I knew that voice.
Maxie's voice floated from the entryway, cheerful and clueless. "Come in, come in! She's just finishing her food."
I froze in the kitchen, my heart hammering against my ribs.
I wasn't ready to see him again. Not after last night. Not after the look he gave me.
And yet, his voice came again, this time closer. "Where is she?"
Maxie's laugh. "Kitchen, of course. Where else?"
His footsteps were heavy, deliberate.
And then, before I could run, a shadow filled the doorway.
I turned, and there he was.
His eyes locked on mine, dark and unreadable, a slow smile spreading across his face like he already knew something I didn't.
"Hello, Sharon," he said.
My breath caught.
This wasn't just Maxie's brother.
This was the man who was about to ruin my one-month break.