Blame

Chapter 33 (Her)

After Kyle unexpectedly interrupted Max's and Dan's hug, she wiped her face and got up from the floor. Dan gave her one more look before she disappeared into the bathroom and began washing up. Max hadn't expected to expose that much to Dan and she felt guilt. No matter how hard she tried, she just always guilty. She felt guilty for leaving and she felt guilty for how Dan felt towards her.

She looked up into the mirror and exhaled slowly. Max deserved to move on, dammit. It took her another thirty minutes to curl her hair and do her makeup and find a coherent outfit, and then she was out. She waved the boys good-bye and caught a cab. 

Max was early today but she needed to get going with the CD list that Joey gave her. It was barely eight in the morning so she got to it.

A couple of hours passed before she noticed a knock on her door. Joey's head popped in and he grinned at her.

"Mornin' there Max. How are you?" He walked in with his hands in his pockets and she handed him the CD.

"Hi. I finished what you asked." She returned the smile.

"Alright! That's great. So, when are you ready to move in? I was gonna give you a hand if you need it?" 

"I don't have all that much left, really. I'll finish everything after work, I'm sure." Max looked up at him, still feeling a littler unnerved about moving away and moving on. It was all becoming pretty real. 

"Okay, how about I pick you up later tonight after you're all ready to go and I can introduce you to your new place." Joey grinned at her and she forced  herself to return the smile.

"That sounds perfect, thanks Joey, again."

"Also before I forget, I was going to run by you that I had invited one of my close friends from the college days to come to the festival, if it won't be a problem. I'm using one of my flight passes for her." Max asked sheepishly, changing the subject.

"That's perfectly alright. Must be a good friend then." He said and she nodded, singling the end of the conversation." 

He waved at her and disappeared around the doorway. Max turned back to her laptop screen and quickly sent Katie a text.

"boss gave the thumbs up. ill be waiting for u. xx" Max pressed send but since the time change in the states was pretty significant she knew Katie wouldn't reply for a couple more hours. So she attempted to do some more work.

After some time she heard a soft knock and turned around.

"Hi, hope I'm not bothering." Dan spoke up with a sheepish smile and she shook her head.

"Not at all. Come in." 

"Working hard, eh?" His hands were stuffed in his pockets and he looked around the small office. 

"Something like that."

"Listen, I was wondering if you wanted to go to lunch with me and the boys. I know you have a lot to do but maybe this can be like a last hoorah before you move out, yeah?" Dan said nervously and she met his gaze. She swallowed and tried hard to maintain eye contact. God, everything was so hard. 

"I think I can make something work." She replied and he nodded.

"Alright. Meet us outside in say, twenty minutes?" 

Max smiled at him and he walked out. She gathered her things and took a minute to stare at the screen. She felt a lump in her throat. Not only was she no longer working with Dan, but she was moving away from him and although she kept telling herself that this is for the best, an unsettling feeling creeped into the pit of her stomach.