Chapter 8
Max's theory about being out in public, so that we could manage to get to know each other better, was a fairly sound one; except that we did usually end up ducking into some alleyway or a public toilet or in the car to fuck each other to satisfaction. I don't know if the reason for this was behaviour was because he had an exhibitionistic streak or if he felt the need to assert his dominance over me or if he just found me that irresistible. The truth was probably a mix of all three. It was another one of those things I didn't ask him about.
I had learned a great deal about Max' work- and it made sense why his weekends were busier than the rest of his week. He spoke to me about his past- he even opened a bit about his relationship with Jenna. He told me about how she had supported his choice to pursue his passion of cooking despite holding a degree in business management. They had been in love and together for long enough that they'd both talked about marriage being the next natural step for them. Diego had been Max's friend for years and was in fact responsible for introducing Jenna to him. It sounded like the three of them had a great deal of history that made the betrayal that much worse. He said he couldn't hold it against them that they'd fallen in love with each other but I could tell that Max had a lot of residual trust issues.
For the most part I still considered Max to be somewhat of a mystery. We were spending a lot of time together both indoors as well as out- and yes, I was back on birth control- but I had yet to meet or even hear about Max's friends. Could someone really be that alone in the world? It seemed hardly possible. But that was the impression Max gave me. He'd been so focused on making it in the culinary world that he'd not bothered building much of a social life.
We spoke about our past, we even spoke about what we wanted in our future, but we never spoke about what it was we were doing together in our present. I guessed Max was just having some fun while getting over a painful relationship while I was just living in the moment. I was no longer searching for that perfect for 'long term relationship Indian guy', I was just enjoying each day as it came and tried not to think about what would happen next. I figured I could be happy as long as I kept thinking that way.
----------------------------------------------
"I just don't get why you can't just leave some of your stuff here." Max stated with annoyance; this wasn't the first time we were having this discussion. "I mean, it's ridiculous that you can't just spend the night if you feel like it because you don't have your stuff here and that you need to always lug that huge bag around anytime you plan to."
I sat quietly as I usually did whenever he brought this up. Arguing would've been pointless. He would say what he needed to and then eventually calmed down.
"And it's not as if my place is cramped like yours. There's plenty of room in my closet and my bathroom for your stuff. Why do you have to be so irrational?"
I couldn't explain it to him. I understood his argument but I was afraid that leaving my stuff around would make it all feel real somehow, like a real relationship and not just a casual fling. How was I supposed to explain these irrational fears? So instead, I sat mum observing the floorboards.
"Nayana? What is it?" He asked, tenderly parting the hair away from my face. "What are you not telling me?"
I chewed on my lower lip as Max waited patiently for some explanation.
"May-maybe," I fumbled, "perhaps we shouldn't be spending so much time together?"
"Why?"
I shrugged my shoulders and looked down at my hands, hoping that maybe I'd see some answer in the lines of my hands.
Max sighed and got off the bed.
"Clearly you have some reason that you refuse to share with me. I won't force you."
He walked out of the bedroom and then immediately returned as if he'd just remembered something.
"I need to go to my dad's town to close the sale on his place. I'll be gone for around three to... four days, tops... Will you come with me?"
I knew it would be difficult for me to take four days leave from work at such short notice but I also sensed that this trip would be hard for Max, and I feared that he didn't have anyone else he could ask.
"Sure."
-----------------------------------------------
A day's drive was all it took for us to arrive at Max's father's place in Shelby. He had chosen to drive so that it would be easier to carry back any of the keepsakes he may want to hold on to. En route I discovered that the place we were going to wasn't just Max's father's place but was also the home he grew up in. I was glad I had agreed to go along with him.
When we finally got to Shelby, it was late in the evening and Max was exhausted. He had made reservations for us to stay at one of the local bed and breakfast joints. He drove us straight to the B&B and got us checked in.
"Goodness! That one is a hoot." I was referring to the sweet old lady who ran the B&B, who had just finished directing us to our room.
Max nodded in agreement, "She could teach the telesales people a thing or two."
"Yes. You'd better tip her well after all those compliments about what a handsome looking couple we make."
"You doubt that?" Max squinted and looked at me.
"Yeah, we're quite the pair- the incredible hulk and his little woman!"
"C'mere my little woman and show your hulk just how incredible you find him."
I rolled my eyes in response and turned around. That's when I noticed them.
"Twin beds!" I couldn't stop giggling as I jumped on the one that was next to the window.
"This one's mine." I announced my claim.
He looked around in disbelief. "What the hell?"
"I think it's perfect," I said while bouncing on the bed, "I'll at least manage to get some sleep this way."
Max sounded irate when he asked, "My snoring keeping you up?"
"No, it's your scent." I blurted and immediately covered my mouth with my hands to shut myself from saying any further.
Max caught the gesture and jumped on the bed beside me.
"My scent, eh?"
I pursed my lips and shook my head.
