Blame

Chapter 15 (Her)

        Max stared out the window, taking it all in. Her conversation with Dan solidified their feelings, and she knew it was time to go, once again. She stood up and ran into Martin.

        "Oh...sorry, I didn't see you there." She tried to walk around him, but he stopped her.

        "It's fine. Look Maxine, I need to talk to you about something." He motioned for her to sit down and she had no choice but to oblige.

        "I never thought I'd be offering this but...we're a man short..er, a woman, to be specific." He cleared his throat and Max stared at him in utter confusion.

        "We could really use you on the team, given your previous experience with the boys--,"

        "No way Martin." She instantly shook her head, in complete denial of the offer.

        "Before you come to a quick decision--,"

        "There is nothing to decide Martin! I have one more semester, I can't just give that up."

        "Maybe you don't have to! Look, I wouldn't be begging if it wasn't so urgent, believe me." Martin exhaled and continued, "The boys are doing well, but we've got to raise awareness and social media presence if there is any hope of their progression."

        "And you can't hire anyone else?!" She exclaimed.

        "Theoretically we could but...like I said, you already know the boys and the boys know you. I really can't deal with hiring a new face and then dealing with watching how they operate. Bottom line, I trust you Max." Martin said, looking at her. She was quiet and he took this as a cue to continue.

        "You can finish your semester and work a little fom home. But I'm willing to compromise. Once you are finished, you can join us." He offered.

        "I...," Max just wanted to shake her head and say no and get off this damn bus and never see the boys ever again. But this was a legitimate job opportunity, and although she would be surrounded by Bastille and Dan, she considered this chance to move back to England and pursue this as a career. 

        "Just think about it." Martin got up, and gave her one more look.

        Max closed her eyes and took in all of the information that Martin threw at her.

        "Hey..," Max turned around and saw Kyle standing on the side. He still had his sleep face and looked like he just crawled out of bed.

        "Hey." Max returned meekly.

        "I heard what Martin was telling you." Kyle said awkwardly and sat next to her. She remained silent still absorbing everything Martin had said.

        "Look, I know you might be hesitant, but maybe it won't be such a bad thing?" Kyle said slowly.

        "And why not?" She asked him.

        "I'm sorry about the things I said yesterday, but maybe if you just treated it like a job, it would be kinda cool to have you back, you know?" He said, running his hand through his hair.

        "I guess I need to think about it. But Katie and I really need to go." Max got up swiftly and went searching for her friend, leaving Kyle dumbfounded.

        "Hey...you ready?" Max found Katie in deep conversation with Woody and Will.

        "Er, yes. Sure." Katie smiled at the boys and got up.

        "Awh, you're already on your way?" Will asked.

        "Yes, we've overstayed our welcome." Max smiled tersley and then felt someone hug her from behind. She turned around and it was Kyle holding her in a warm embrace.

        "I hope you make the right decision." He whispered into her ear and Max closed her eyes and tried to take it all in. She wondered if this was the last time that she was going to see the boys.

        Katie and Max wrapped up in their coats and hats and began walking off the bus. Some of the Grizfolk boys were outside and Katie waved at them.

        "It was wonderful meeting you all, we definitely had a blast. Good luck with the rest of your tour!" She beamed at them and Adam bent over to give her a tight hug.

        "The pleasure was ours." Sebastian smiled at the girls and more hugs were exchanged. Final goodbyes were said and they began walking towards the parking garage, located almost a mile away.

        "Max! Wait!" Max heard the urgent male voice behind her and turned around, only to be face to face with Dan. He was walking speedily toward them and then without much notice, he scooped Max into an embrace.

        "I...I don't really know if I'll ever hear from you ever again or see you again, so I just want to say good-bye now." They stood there, arms interlocked around each other. Max was completely caught off guard but held on tightly, because she missed his warmth and his touch. She had also forgotten how well their bodies fit together.

        It was in this moment that Max made her decision about Martin's offer. 

*        *        *

        "That was very nice, Dan. Thank you." Max smiled at him, tucking her hair behind her ear.

        "I'm glad you enjoyed it." Dan put his hand behind his head, the way he does when he is uncertain or shy. Max smiled at that and he gave her an odd look. They were standing outside her hotel room after the lunch at Loretto's, not really able to say good-bye.

        "You know you can kiss me if you want." Max said shyly, feeling her heart beating faster. She sounded brave, but she didn't feel brave in the slightest. His eyes lit up and she could see color rising in his cheeks. Dan took a step towards her and then shook his head.

        "God, I feel like such an inadequate teenager." He looked at her and cleared his throat.

        Although he was feeling inadequate, his kiss certainly wasn't. Dan literally took her breath away and she leaned against the door for some support.

        "Are you going to apologize for this tomorrow?" Dan whispered with a smirk.

        "Not a chance." Max replied leaning in for the taste of his lips again.