Chasing Daylight

Chapter Four

I've had a hard time adjusting

I had the shiniest wheels, now they're rusting

-Taylor Swift

Maria

The next morning I was surprised to find Max sitting at the counter as I slung my backpack over my shoulder and made my way to the fridge.

"Where are you going?" He asked. My surprise only seemed to grow because I definitely didn't think casual conversation was going to happen, especially after my interrogation last night.

"I can't get anything done here," I answered. "I have a lot of work to do."

"Wasn't last week syllabus week?" He replied.

"I have an internship," I replied. "It's virtual, so I have a lot of work."

"Listen, I'm sorry about how shitty I've been this past week," he said and I was once again faced with the surprise that there was actually remorse in his voice. "It's not fair to you. This is your place too."

"It's not a big deal, just please keep the sex in your bedroom," I replied grabbing an apple. "I have a lot of work to do, so I need to go."

"You can work here, I'm going to go out today," he said tracing his fingers on the counter. Why did he seem so sheepish about all of this?

"I work better out of the house," I replied. In truth, ever since yesterday, I felt better being out of the apartment. I felt really uncomfortable with the idea that this man could walk in with a girl at any time. Max and I were too different to be friends and staying away from him was exactly what I needed to keep myself from completely flying off the rails.

"Sure," Max nodded as I walked out of the kitchen. For some reason, it looked like he was disappointed.

When I got home from the gym a few hours later, it was clear Max wasn't as disappointed as I had thought. It was also clear that I had made the right choice when leaving for the day. There were moans and groans coming from Max's room. I dropped my backpack in the living room and made myself a smoothie before going to the bathroom and locking the door so I could shower.

When I got out, I wrapped my hair in a towel and tied my robe tightly. I had to lean against the door as a girl in a little skirt and lowcut top walked past me without taking notice. How did he find girls like this in the middle of the day?

"Kate, I'm sorry, I thought she would be gone before you got home," Max said coming out of his bedroom in only his boxers. He seemed really beat up about this and I couldn't figure out why. Nothing had stopped him before.

"I told you it wasn't a big deal," I shrugged crossing my arms.

He sighed rubbing his temple. "Well, I need to go change," I said taking a sip of my smoothie and skirting around him.

"Kate, I never meant to make you uncomfortable," I heard Max sigh. I didn't respond, I just closed my bedroom door and let out a sigh. I didn't know why he was suddenly acting so weird, but I couldn't have that conversation while the only thing covering me was my bathrobe.

--

Max

"Fuck," I yelled pushing one of the glass mugs off the counter and watching it shatter. I couldn't hold off for one day. I just had to have sex with the new secretary. Now Maria was going to think I couldn't keep it in my pants.

"What the hell was that?" Maria asked running into the room barefoot. She had on a big sweatshirt; I didn't even know if she was wearing shorts it was so big.