“Hey, buddy.” Max squats in front of him and places his hands on either side of Zeus’s big head.
Of course Max would be great with Zeus, because of course Eric isn’t. It’s not that he actually dislikes Zeus per se, he’s terrified of him, and therefore he simply avoids him at all cost.
“You’re one big dude,” Max comments, affectionately ruffling his fur. Zeus lives for attention and praise and happily accepts Max’s, pushing his head closer to him.
I’m contemplating my options of what to do next as Max stands up and all of my coherent thoughts slip away as I come face to face with shirtless Max. Holy mother of muscles.
My mind wraps another thread of confusion around my tangle of thoughts and emotions, and I take a step back, turning my focus to Zeus.
“I’m glad I ran into you.”
My eyes travel up to his face, not certain how to decipher his words. His tone is warmer than I’d received all afternoon. His face doesn’t clarify anything for me as he peers at me with a look of hesitation.
He takes a deep breath and looks down at Zeus, then returns his eyes to mine. “I want to apologize for what I said about Nathan. He’s a dick, and I shouldn’t have said what I did.”
“You already said you were sorry. And I wasn’t exactly polite in return. Really, it’s no big deal.”
“Because we don’t really know each other,” He nods as he says the familiar words. “I know, but that was a sorry excuse for an apology. You should have kicked my ass.” I watch the edges of his lips climb into the slightest smile and feel my own curve in response, shaking my head.
“Do you forgive me for being a douchebag?”
“You’re forgiven.” His smile spreads across his face, and I feel the slightest pang in my chest.
Max sticks out his hand and I stare at it a moment before glancing up at his face. “Nice to meet you, Ace, my name’s Max. I’ve been your neighbor for the past ten years and thought maybe we could be friends.”
I can’t help but let out a laugh that sounds too high from my nerves about the idea of being Max’s friend. I doubt I’ll ever be able to look at him as a friend.
“What you don’t want to be my friend?” he asks, cocking his left eyebrow up and looking at me questionably. I realize this trademark look is definitely the single most beautiful expression I’ve ever seen.
I try to remember to breathe and act unfazed by Max’s proximity as I allow his large hand to swallow mine in a handshake. His is rough with calluses, reminding me slightly of Jameson’s, but I also notice the heat and strength behind his grip as he gently squeezes my hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Max,” I joke, smiling as we shake for too long before he loosens his grip and my hand is released to fall back to my side. The night air suddenly seems cold and completely unfamiliar against my skin.
The next morning I wake to find Max shirtless in his driveway washing his motorcycle and Jeep and feel the desperate need to get out of the house. I head out with a few friends from school to see a movie and spend the afternoon trying to divert my ever growing thoughts of Max. I learn nothing works as a distraction.
The moment I pull into the driveway my blood turns to ice and my muscles tense at the sight of Jenny rushing to my car. Her face is stark white and tears stream from her eyes as she wrings her hands in front of her.
“I can’t find her. I can’t find Lilly,” she cries, covering her mouth with both of her trembling hands as a loud shriek escapes her. Her eyes, bright with fear and torture, close as her entire body curls into itself with her cry.
“What do you mean?” I ask, shaking my head as goose bumps prickle my skin in the eighty degree heat. Each cell of my body is being invaded by fear, leading my heart to hammer so fast and hard it feels like it’s preparing to break free.
“She disappeared.” Jenny’s hands frantically wave in the air as she explains how she was fighting with her boyfriend, Paul, on the phone, and then realized when she hung up Lilly was missing.
“It’s okay, we’ll find her. Where did you see her last?” My mind races as I work to remain focused and calm.
“She was in the kitchen with Zeus.” I nod and run past her. As soon as I enter the house I begin calling for Zeus, whistling, and repeating his name to no avail. I race back outside with my tennis shoes in hand and find Kendall and Jameson in the driveway, listening to Jenny’s panicked recount of events.
I slide my shoes on and feel Kendall’s eyes on me. I know her expression before I turn to see the horrified look upon her face.
“Zeus is with her,” I interject before another question can be asked. “Kendall, stay here with Jenny. Call Caulder, then dad. Jameson, can you knock on the neighbors doors? See if anyone has seen Lilly or Zeus, everyone knows them.” I hardly register Jameson nodding as I take off running.
“Where are you going?” Jameson yells after me.
“The park!” I yell over my shoulder as I race down the street, not feeling the exertion from my muscles working without the slightest effort or thought. Panic fills my chest as fears of child abductions and horrifying stories from the news and movies begin playing through my mind, fueling my muscles to push harder as I run in a dead sprint.
Before reaching the intersection that bridges our neighborhood to the park, I see several cars stopped, and hear horns blaring. Fear burrows further inside of me as I dig deeper, feeling the sharp burn in my lungs from the force I expel. As I hear another car horn blare into the evening air, I spot Lilly standing in the middle of the four lane road. Her long blond curls are wrapped around shoulders bowed over Zeus, lying on the ground in front of her in a big black heap.
My chest constricts and my vision blurs with tears as I extend my hand to stop a car that comes dangerously close. I snatch Lilly into my arms, pressing her small frame against me in a tight hug as she sobs into my shoulder, and incoherently shrieks about Zeus. I nod absently, feeling relieved that she’s alright and turn my attention to Zeus who has yet to move, and feel the torrent of tears spilling from my eyes.
I face the oncoming traffic as a woman in a minivan stops in front of us and stretches her neck out her open window looking at us with concern.
“Do you guys need some help?” she asks.
I nod, trying to gather my breath so I can speak. “Can you just stay parked here? Turn your hazard lights on. I need to move him.”
“Is he alive?” Her words echo, rattling around in my brain. The same thought has already crossed my mind, and I’ve been terrified to allow it to sink in.
Still holding Lilly in my arms, I fall to my knees between the van and Zeus as my eyes graze over him. I know that he sacrificed himself for Lilly, and though I’m grateful, it doesn’t dull the pain.
I tentatively reach out and rest my hand on Zeus’s stomach and feel him take a small, labored breath. The surge of relief causes a new wave of tears. “It’s okay, boy, I’ve got you. I’m here,” I promise.
Zeus whines as he tries to lift his head, but his body protests, and he drops it back to the ground.
Kendall answers after the first ring, her voice anxious. “I found them,” I say through tears. “Lilly’s safe, I’ve got her, but Zeus…” my voice hitches as I close my eyes, feeling the hot tears coursing down my cheeks “…he’s hurt.” I try to steady my voice, “He’s hurt really bad.” My voice breaks again as my chest heaves, and I grip Lilly tighter.
“Where are you? Can he walk?”
“No.” I cry again. “We’re at the intersection by the park,” I explain as I choke back a sob and blink repeatedly to try and see through my tears as I hear Kendall relay our whereabouts. I try to speak through the commotion on her end, “I can’t lift him.” I sniff, wiping my nose with the back of my hand.