Age

Chapter 23

When Max woke up the next morning Casey was gone. He sighed frustrated.

Three days later on Saturday afternoon Austin had an autograph signing in New York. He met Max for a drink afterwards. He could tell Max was frustrated.

"What's up?" He asked.

"Casey and I had sex the night of the party, twice." "In the limo on the way back to the hotel and in my room." "During the time in my room I said I love you." "She said it back Austin."

"She did?"

"Yeah." "When I woke up the next morning, she was gone." "I love that woman, but she is the most frustrating person I've ever met in my life "

"Is she still gonna get married?"

"Yes, she won't admit but it's all because she's afraid to be with me." "I know it is."

A few hours later Drew had just gotten home.

"I'm home." He said.

"Hi honey." Casey said.

"Hi." They kissed. "More sugarplum." They kissed again. "I got a job."

"That's great."

"Jerry has a friend who runs a construction company here." "I start tomorrow."

"Will you go get the boys for dinner?"

"Yes I will."

Later that night when Drew walked into the bedroom candles were lit. Casey came up to him in a nightgown.

"Come here." She said. They kissed.

They were having sex. The only person on her mind was Max.

"God damn it Casey." She thought scolding herself. "Stop thinking about Max." "It's not fair to Drew."

Afterwards they were laying there.

"I've been thinking about our wedding date." "September eighteen."

She looked at him and smiled. "The first time you told me you loved me?"

"Also the first time we made love."

She kissed him. "Let's do it."

"Ok."

When Casey got to the arena on Wednesday, Max was waiting at her workstation.

"Come with me." Max said.

"You're not gonna go away until I do are you?"

"Nope."

They went to his locker room.

"I know what this is about Max." She said. "I didn't mean to say it." "I got caught up in the moment."

"Telling me you love me isn't being caught up in the moment."

"It was."

"Just like us having sex twice?"

"This is the last time we're ever talking Max." "I want you to leave me alone."

"You love me as much as I love you, and you know it."

"If I love you so much, why did Drew and I set a wedding date?"

"You're afraid to be with me." "Is part of it because you think I wouldn't want to marry you someday?" "That's not true." "I would love to." "Marriage, children, everything." "I love you, I love the boys." "I want a life with you."

"I'm sorry, I can't." She said tearfully. She turned to leave.

"Casey please." He said stopping her. "Being with him is the mistake, not being with me." "He's already hurt you once before." "You are the best woman I've ever known." "If you would let us, I know we could be happy together." "Please stop being stubborn and let it happen." "I love you baby." They kissed. She broke it and left. Max was devastated.

Casey found a hallway and cried.