“Okay, but could you give me some specifics?”
He held out the bottle. “Do you want some?”
I shook my head. “I just want to know how I can help you.”
He slumped back against the chair. “I don’t think anyone can. Maybe all his chanting and incense burning works. I think the universe is on his side. It certainly isn’t on mine.”
“Did he somehow interfere with your new clinic?” I was still very much in the dark about what the hell was going on with Max. I knew it had something to do with River but not a lot more.
“He took it from me.”
“How?”
“He swooped in.” He licked his lips, wincing. “God, Royce, it was so perfect.” He rubbed his chest as if in pain. “I know I could have been happy there.”
“Did Dr. Johnson reject your offer?”
“He will.”
I frowned. “What does that mean? He hasn’t yet?”
“He will,” he repeated, sounding impatient. “It’s a done deal. He will take the money cuz that’s all anybody cares about. See, this is why I hate people. People are the worst.” He took a swig off the bottle, wincing.
“Slow down, Max. You’re going to be sick.”
“Good.”
I grimaced. “No. Not good.”
“Maybe I’ll get lucky and I’ll die of alcohol poisoning.” He started to lift the bottle to his lips, and I grabbed hold of it.
“Come on, pace yourself.”
He scowled at me, but he let me take the bottle. “My dad was right. Emotions are useless. Happiness. Joy. Desire. They’re all useless.”
“Not true.”
“Of course you’d say that,” he muttered. “You’re such a ray of sunshine.”
I laughed. “Don’t go picking on me just because you’re in a foul mood, Max.”
He studied me, and then he gave a sheepish smile. “Okay.”
“That’s better.” I stood and held out my hand. “Come in the kitchen. I’ll make you some toast.”
“Soup,” he said, clumsily getting to his feet. “I want soup.”
I put my arms around his waist to steady him. “No. You need something to soak up the booze. Soup won’t be enough.”
“God, I’m sure my liver is wondering what the hell is happening.” He gave a husky giggle. “But really, what has clean living ever got me?”
“A healthy body and mind.”
He smiled up at me. “You like my body?”
“You know I do. I like your mind too.”
“You smooth talker, you.” He leaned in and kissed me, and there was a needy desperation to his kiss. He tasted of the tequila and some elusive thing that was just Max. When the kiss ended, he leaned his face against my shoulder.
