Before anyone can say a thing, I'm out the door with my plunder. When I close the door behind me, I reach into the box, take a caramel cupcake, take off the wrapper, and shove the whole thing into my mouth. The sweet saltiness rolls around in my mouth, I feel the thick frosting on my lips, and I slump in what I know is a sugar rush.

I live for this.

Speaking to myself, I lean against the wall and garble, "Oh, sweet Jesus. Yes." I swallow, sigh, and make my way back to the apartment feeling a little bit better about myself.

Or, at least, I pretend to.

Max Poor Helena.

She didn't look too good. I mean, she looked good, but she seemed a little off. Even a blind person could see how pretty she is. That thick, brown hair almost touching her waist. Bright green eyes that are even brighter than Nat's. Those long black lashes making her eyes look huge. Those perky t.i.ts, and best of all...

That a.s.s.

Motherf.u.c.k me straight to h.e.l.l.

The girl's feeling like s.h.i.t, and I'm checking out her firm, round peach. I'm a bad, bad man.

Now that I think about it, pretty isn't a strong enough word for her. Stunning might be close, but even that sounds too flat to use for someone who has a light around her. She literally glows when she smiles. Makes me wonder why I never noticed her before.

Pizza arrives not long after she leaves, and I need a beer. I call out, "Beer?"

All the guys raise their hands. I head into the kitchen, where Nat is preparing a salad to go with the pizza. I open the fridge and fish out four beers. When I straighten, I tell her, "I'm going next-door, see if Helena wants a slice."

Nat stiffens. She doesn't talk for a long while. Finally, she utters, "Yeah, I wouldn't do that."

I shrug. "Why? She's your sister. And she's not feeling great." I pause before adding, "She's cool."

She makes a choking noise before trying to string her words together. "Well, it's just that she...uh...she, well..." She cringes before explaining very, very slowly, "She's not your biggest fan, Max."

My breath leaves me in a whoosh. I don't understand. This has never happened to me before. I blink at her before shouting a high-pitched, "What?"

Nat continues to putter around the kitchen. "I know, right? So weird. I can't believe we're related sometimes."

I'm still in shock. I ask a panicked, "Why?"

She lifts a shoulder. "Well, she says you're a flirt."

What the h.e.l.l? My defenses at an all-time high, and I sputter, "I'm a single man! I'm allowed to flirt!"

"Preaching to the choir, babe."

My mouth gapes. I can't comprehend what I'm being told. "But why?"

Nat turns and comes at me, wearing a face full of sympathy. She cups my cheek and speaks gently, "Sometimes people don't like other people, and sometimes they don't need a reason at all. It happens, honey."

Now I'm just sad. "But everyone loves me. I'm adorable."

She pulls my face down to her and kisses my forehead. "If it means anything, I think you're the best thing since sliced bread."

I try not to pout, but it's hard. Really hard. "Why doesn't she like me? I like her."

"Leave it alone."

"No way!" Determination pulses through my veins. "Only one thing to do now."

Nat eyes me suspiciously. "I'm almost scared to ask."

I stride to the door. "I'm going to make her like me."

She calls out after me, "It doesn't work that way, Max. You can't make her do anything!"

"Watch me!"

Challenge accepted.

Chapter Seven.

Max Just before I make my exit, I pick up my plate of pizza and take it with me. Truthfully, I'm a little p.i.s.sed I'm having to prove I'm a good guy to some chick I don't even know.

At least, I think I'm a good guy.

My stomach twists in knots.

Great. Now she's got you questioning yourself. What a b.i.t.c.h.

Hey now, brain. Don't you talk about her like that. I'd hate to have to kick your a.s.s.

My brain smiles and nods in approval.

See? Good guy.

Knowing somebody doesn't like you for such a weak reason sucks hairy b.a.l.l.s. But it quickly makes me wonder if some a.s.shole ex-boyfriend of hers was a flirt, someone who flirted with women in front of her. I shake my head at the thought of wanting to break Helena's non-existent ex-boyfriend's nose. No way would anyone who had a woman like that risk losing her over somethin' so stupid.

It don't matter. I'm determined to win her over. Mark my words; we are going to be friends. If I could just get her to see what a nice guy I am...

Standing in front of her door, I hold my plate in one hand and raise the other to knock. A few seconds later, Helena answers the door wearing the ugliest navy flannel pajamas I have ever seen. I have no idea how she's pulling off looking s.e.xy in 'em. Her hair in a messy knot at the very top of her head, and I smile at how adorable she looks.

Brows bunched in confusion, she begins to ask, "What are you-" but as I move to step inside, I trip over my untied shoelace. The plate in my hand is projected forward, and in slow motion, I watch as the three pieces of pizza fly through the air and splatter across the front of her sleep-shirt.

Her mouth gaping and body rigid, she stands there wide-eyed, in shock. A whimper leaves her mouth. I stare at the tomato sauce marking her and I can't help it.

I snort.

My laughter subsides when I see her face flush bright red. Her bottom lip quivers and her eyes brighten with tears. She nods once in resignation, then closes the door in my face.

s.h.i.t!

"Helena, please open the door. I'm an a.s.s. I shouldn't have laughed, but you got to admit...it was kinda funny."

My chest tightens as I hear a sniffle from the other side of the door. Oh man. I run a hand through my hair in helplessness. This went a whole other way in my head. She would open the door, see the pizza in my hands, and smile at me. She'd tell me she was starving and that I was her hero. We'd go inside, talk and bond over pizza, and then every time we'd eat pizza together, we'd smile at each other knowing our entire friendship began with our favorite savory baked good.

Really, universe, would it kill ya to make to me her pizza hero? I'm not asking a lot here.

I hear her shuffle away from the door and I quickly knock again. "Helena, cupcake, I really am sorry. Please, open the door. At least let me help clean up." My forehead hits the door with a dull thud. I close my eyes and hear another sniffle. "Please, don't cry. You're breakin' my heart over here."

I wait a little while longer, but she's gone. Probably to shower.

Helena's hot little body in the shower. Soaking wet. Droplets sluicing down her body. Her nipples beaded, and...

f.u.c.k, brain, you dirty f.u.c.ker.

I know.

I mentally high-five my brain. So does my semi.

My mind works overtime thinking of ways I can fix what I just messed up with Helena. If we're going to be a part of the same friendship group, for the sake of everyone else, we need to find a way to get along. If it were up to me, we would get along, but I have a feeling Helena is the type to put up a fight.

I smirk. She won't win, however hard she fights. But something tells me she's worth the battle.

Nat Max walks back into the apartment with an empty plate and looking mad.

Uh oh.

I stand and walk over to him. "What did she do?" I'm going to b.i.t.c.h slap her. Seriously.

He open his mouth to speak, then closes it. He makes another attempt, then another. Finally, with a sigh, he asks, "If Helena were mad at a guy," he cringes, "what would said guy have to do to get in her good book?"

My eyes narrow dangerously. My teeth gritted, I hiss, "What do you do?"

He chuckles nervously and rubs the back of his neck.

I'm going to b.i.t.c.h slap him.

Seriously.

Helena I can't stop laughing at the look on Max's face when the pizza splattered all over me.

Tears p.r.i.c.kled my eyes and I thought about crying, but when he snorted, it was hard to not laugh. But I hid it. I had to shut the door that very second, because if I didn't, I would've lost it in a fit of hilarity. I couldn't let him see me laugh. That would not flatter my stone-cold b.i.t.c.h act.

And the way he calls me cupcake...Gah!

I snuggle into the covers...the covers Max had been sleeping on not hours ago. "The guy sure is something else," I whisper into the dark.

My brow furrows as a thought crosses my mind.

Why is he trying so hard?

I ponder this a long while before my eyes get heavy. Soon, I'm drifting off. And I do it thinking about Max's dimple.

Max "If I wanted to impress a woman, what would I do?"

Nik grins. "If you were me and wanted to impress a woman, you'd just be alive."

Trick guffaws. "Whoa. Someone get a wheelbarrow for the douche's head."

Ghost bites into his sandwich, shoulders shaking in silent laughter. I look to my brother and throw a balled up napkin at his head. "You're so funny. a.s.shole."

The guys laugh, but I'm frustrated. "I'm bein' serious. It's been a long time since I've had to do any of this s.h.i.t."

Suddenly, Ghost narrows his eyes at me. Swallowing his food, he asks, "Who is it you're trying to impress?"

I don't know why it makes me nervous, but Ash just has that effect on people. I laugh it off. "None of your business, Asher." When I put emphasis on his real name, his jaw tightens. Not a lot of people out there can get away with calling Ghost by his given name. As far as I know, he only gives women he loves the honor. I clear my throat. "It's no one." Then I lie through my teeth. "I'm thinkin' about dating."

I feel their eyes on me. Quiet overcomes the table.

Nik's the first to speak. "Seriously?"

I shrug, not sure what to say. Dating has never been an option before, but the older Ceecee gets, I guess I can start meeting women. There's only one problem. I don't want to meet women. I'm done with women. I had a woman-a woman I thought was a good woman-and it got me nothing but heartbreak. I loved Maddy. Loved her so much I would've done anything for her. But she changed. Soon after Ceecee was born, she wasn't the woman I fell in love with.

But I stuck by her, and I would've stuck by her 'til death if she had let me. I'm dedicated that way. And what was I rewarded with?

Att.i.tude and ugly-a.s.s words.

If you're thinking I'm bitter from one bad relationship, you're right. Just thinking about dating has my stomach coiled tight.

I clear my throat and straighten in my chair. "Maybe."

Nik smiles down at the table. Looking back up, he nods. "I think that would be cool."

Trick nudges my shoulder and jokes, "You can't have Lola."

I grin and poke the bear. "Nah, I want Nat."

Ash stands suddenly, his chair squealing behind him. He points at me, jaw rigid. "Lucky I love ya, bro."