CHAPTER TEN

Jayde was buried in her work when Max called her back, close to midnight. She felt frustrated that he waited until so late to return her call. "Mr. Jaxson. What's the good news," her words as harsh as a slap to the face.

Max was momentarily stunned as he stared at the screen of his phone. He wanted to make sure he called the right number before continuing. "Miss Jayde... We talked everything over and if possible, we'd like a few weeks to get moved down there before beginning practice. It makes more since than driving such a distance multiple times a week."

Although she knew Max was trying to sound professional over the phone, Jayde felt insulted by his cool demeanor. "You prick," she mumbled low enough so that he couldn't hear her. "Okay, just let me know when you're ready to get everything scheduled. Mr. Oniko is eager to begin."

Max didn't have time to reply before Jayde hung up. His mind was racing. Why was she being so cold towards him? Then he thought about the night they'd spent together. "She regrets it," his chest ached at this realization. He didn't want her to hate him or regret what they shared. Even if it was a one time deal, which he really hoped it wasn't.

On the other end, Jayde felt an unknown aching in her chest. It felt as if there was a knot in her throat and her eyes began flooding. She was upset because she couldn't figure out the feelings that she was experiencing.

Jayde knew Max had been drinking. She could tell by the way he was talking. And she instantly thought of the lucky woman who'd get to experience his all-around sweetness. He'd care for her the way he did Jayde last night. And even this morning.

She felt her blood boil as the anger and betrayal rushed through her body. Jayde didn't want to picture Max with anyone else. She wanted to be the only one he'd turn to for his sexual needs. But she knew how ridiculous that sounded, even in her own mind.

Why was she so fixated on this man? Was it the way his eyes twinkled when he talked about his music? Or perhaps it was the way he carried himself with such confidence? Whatever it was, Jayde knew there was only one thing that could be done in this tough situation. She had no choice but to keep her mouth shut and keep it professional.

Taking a deep breath to ease the aching in her chest, Jayde rested her head on her desk. She watched as a few tears splattered on the surface. Even if they couldn't be together, they still had that one, precious night and their work. She wouldn't be able to approach him the way she did last night, after he becomes famous. Max would have so many fans drooling all over him. She'd become...

Nothing...

After a while, Jayde lifted her head and looked at the time. Realizing it was already 3 AM, she quickly grabbed her coat and purse and rushed out of the office. She needed to get home and actually sleep tonight. The next few days would be extremely busy.

Max laid in bed, looking up at the ceiling. He didn't understand what had happened between Jayde and himself. Everything was great last night. But then she never text him to thank him for breakfast or even seemed interested in bringing up last night. An unbearable gloominess swept over him.

He tossed and turned in bed for a while before the anxiety hit him so hard, he felt as if he was drowning. He let out a harsh sign and tossed the blanket off him. Max stood up and walked to the window.

Opening it, Max stepped out on the roof and laid in his favorite spot. The stars danced in the dark sky. The contrast was the most beautiful sight he'd ever witnessed. Just then, an image of Jayde flashed in his mind. Her pale skin glowing in the lights of the city, her chest heaving, and sweat... That one beautiful bead of sweat, sweeping across the natural curve of her breast.

"This isn't the most beautiful thing I've seen," Max grumbled as he pulled his phone from his pocket. He quickly scrolled through his messages and found his conversation with Jayde. It still showed that it was unread.

Max's fingers moved at lightening speed as he quickly hammered out a text.

"Jayde, I'm not sure what happened to us but I miss what we shared last night. And not the sex, although that was fantastic... I can't stop thinking about you... Your smile brightens my world. And your voice is soft as silk. And I understand that running into my ex wasn't ideal, but I thought we moved past that. I hope you read this soon and know how much I miss you."

Max reread his text multiple times as his finger hovered over the Send button. In the end though, he erased it all. How could he send something so stupid to a woman like her? Jayde was a diamond in the rough. He knew he wasn't good enough for her, but he also wanted to see where it could go.

Instead, he typed out, "Hey, it's Max. Just wanted to make sure U got home safely. HMU when you get time. Peace." As he hit send, Max rolled his eyes and grumbled to himself about how much of an idiot he was.

Max stood up and walked back in, through his window, and sulked back to his bed. "Such an idiot."

Jayde stood outside her apartment building, reluctant to go up. She was worried that the moment she stepped in the door, images of last night would be plastered to her brain. Heaving a sigh, she pulled her phone out of her purse and saw she had a text. Without thinking, she opened it and read what was within.

"Are you fuckin' kidding me? What the hell is this shit!" Jayde was furious after reading Max's text. What did that asshole mean by this? She read it again.

No. He actually said "peace". Jayde stomped up to her apartment and threw her stuff down before replying to his rude text. Glaring at her screen, like she wished it would die in her hand, her fingers tapped away, carefree.

"Max. I got home perfectly safe. Thanks for the concern. Rest well. I hope to hear from you soon about the schedule. PS, only text if it's work related in the future." Jayde rolled her eyes as she hit Send and threw the phone on the table before heading to her bedroom.