I twist my body so I’m facing him on the bench. “You need to tell me about Everett—” I hold a hand up. “—And before you tell me to trust you, Everett talked about dying today. We take thoughts of suicide seriously around here.”
Max sighs. “Everett isn’t suicidal. He’s afraid.”
“Of what?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
I open my mouth—
“And before you get your panties in a twist, I can’t tell you because I don’t know.”
Oh, I shut my mouth and lift the coffee cup to my lips. “He’s terrified.”
“Yeah, I get that. I’m a little worried myself.”
“Maddox can—”
“Everett is sure he can’t. And until I’m sure, I’m not taking any chances.” He reaches out and sets his hand on my free one.
The touch shocks me, but I don’t pull away.
“You don’t need to worry. I promise you. I’m doing everything in my power to keep him safe.”
“He’s not afraid of you.”
Max laughs. “Not even a little bit.”
“He wants to look like you.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Guys can develop body image issues. This is serious.”
“Everett is an awkward teenage boy. He’ll figure it out as he grows up.”
That’s it. He’ll figure it out. “The kids around here don’t have the skills—”
“Everett does. He’s going to be just fine. Do you always worry about the kids around here this much?”
I shrug. “Sometimes.”
Max reaches out and takes the coffee cup from my hand.
Where our fingers meet, there’s a tingling sensation.
“You’ve had enough of that for a while. Why don’t we get you a nice cup of tea?”
“Hey.” I reach for the mug. “Dash didn’t sleep well last night. I need that.”
“What you need is some sleep. Go grab a nap, and I’ll watch the little guy. Where is he anyway?”
Sleep sounds so nice. “Hope has him. I could use a short nap. But—”
“Go.” He smiles at me. “I’ve got this.”
I stand up and walk away.
Did that irritating man really take my coffee and talk me into taking a nap?
