Chapter 3

Lani laughs, and Mom's face is cold and bitter at my sense of humor.

"I'm serious, Rae. You better get your act together!" She slams her hand down on the table, and stomps off.

I glance at Lani, and she looks at me with a look I can't read.

"What?" I whisper, not liking the way she's staring at me.

"She's kind of kind of right, though she is much harsher than I would be." Lani blinks rapidly before looking back at me. "You fell apart after Jacob and did the whole crazy rebound thing, but you're losing control of your life. You have to find some stability, sister." She pats my shoulder and stands. "I'm going to go check on Mom."

Biting my cheek, I think about the last year. I remember some of it, kind of. After my failed wedding, Quinn went over to retrieve my things and I moved in with her. Most of the last year was late nights with lots of parties and booze, but no man was ever a part of the equation. Well, there was that one time, but that was it. I'm pursuing my career as a vet assistant, and doing what makes me happy.

My mother can't seem to understand that though, she thinks I'm being selfish and will turn down my soul mate if I'm not careful. I say bullshit to that.

I was left at the altar once, I am in no hurry to do it again.

Why can't anyone understand that?

***

Max

Waking up, my arm feels heavy and my mouth feels like sandpaper.

One eye open I look over to see what is weighing my arm down only to find a naked blonde girl. Wait, two naked blonde girls. Damn, must have been a fun night. I freeze, trying to remember it... It's all a blur though.

I look around the room finding myself on a piano, and what looks like a... museum?

What the hell did I do last night? I remember meeting a girl at the taco stand, and she asked me if I would help her find her keys and we ended up here.

I look at one of the blonde women strewn over the piano keys remembering she worked here. I'm not sure where the other woman came from though.

Closing my eyes an image of them on the piano together flares to mind. Them taking my underwear off as I ate their pussy, one at a time like a damn buffet.

Groaning I pull myself up, my bare ass cheeks sticking to the black piano top.

"I'm never drinking tequila again," I groan miserably, my head splitting with pain.

Losing my balance, I fall off the back of the musical instrument and land on the cold tiled floor.

My back hip makes impact first, as my elbow strikes a leg of the piano. I wince, my reaction slow as I feel like I'm coming out of a coma rather than having a massive hangover.

Rubbing my forehead, I slowly stand, finding a redheaded janitor staring at me with a creepy ass smile. Her eyes pinned right between my legs. I follow her eyes and find my junk standing proud.

Damn.

I cup myself, and look for my clothes.

"You looking for these big boy?" she laughs, twirling my jeans around like a propeller.

I hold my hand out, leaving my right palm to take over junk coverage.

"Can I please have them?" I ask nicely, but the sarcastic undertone is not lost on her.

"You can have whatever you want." She slides her tongue over her bottom teeth, and throws them at me. "You better hurry, the museum opens in ten minutes," she informs with a hysterical laughter.

"Ten minutes? What time is it?" I look around for a clock.

"Noon," she replies as she pushes the trashcan into another room.

"Noon?" Shit, I was supposed to meet my mother and sister for lunch today.

One of the girl's eyes flutter as she wakes up. Her eyes land on me and I freeze, as if standing still she won't see me standing here wide eyed.

A smirk pulls at her face, she rests her head on her hand.

"You don't remember my name do you?" she asks sleepily. Shit, what was it. Jamie? No, Julie.

I sigh, shaking my head.

"No, I don't," I reply with a clipped tone.

She laughs, adjusting herself on the piano.

"Well, that's good, because I don't know yours," she informs, falling back asleep.

I raise a brow. "Touché."

Quickly I get dressed, and jog out of the museum.

Pulling up to the fine restaurant, I smooth my jeans of any wrinkles and head inside.

It smells of expensive perfume and cheap wine in here. A waiter passes me with a tray, a plate full of salad. My stomach growls wanting bacon and eggs, rather than the shit they're serving.

My mother and sister sit in the back with color swatches scattered along the table.

I stop when I see the wedding shit. I was set up.

Macy, my sister, glances up before doing a double take.

"Max!" She stands hurrying my way with an excited smile.

"You told me I was the best brother in the world and you missed me," I remind her of our phone call two days ago. Her cheeks turn red as she looks anywhere but at me. "You lied," I squint my eyes at her. Macy is sweet and sly, I'd do anything for her and she knows it. I tried like hell to keep men away from her growing up because none of them deserved her. But this guy she's now marrying slid under my radar and got serious way faster than me or my dad are comfortable with.

Wrapping her arms around my neck she giggles. "You are the best brother in the world, and I want your opinion for my wedding day!" she replies, and I roll my eyes. I've avoided everything about this wedding because weddings are stupid. Also, thanks to Macy I now have my mother on my ass about finding a nice southern woman to settle down with.

"Jesus, Max," my mother scolds, looking me up and down. I frown, looking down at myself.

She stands, her white tight dress formal and fitting her stunningly. Her hair ironed flat and framing her sharp face. She pulls me into a hug, her perfume strong. "You smell like crotch and have lipstick all over your face son, pull yourself together." She tugs on the collar of my shirt and sits back down. If anyone would know about partying all night and covering up the sins of the night before, it would be my mother.