Max (A Carter Brother series Book 4) (14 page)

“Let’s stick one on your most prized possession and see how you react. I can’t do it. I can’t. Look at him,’’ Max yells, pointing over to Myles curled up on the sofa, his hands cupping between his legs. “He’s never going to be the same again.’’

“Stop bein’ a baby,’’ I tell him and quickly grab the one under his armpit while his arm is raised. It pulls the hair with a loud tear and Max screams bloody murder. I have to admit, even I felt that, but it doesn’t stop me from laughing hysterically.

“OH MY FUCKING GOD, WHAT DID YOU DO?’’ he yells and Harlow, Kayla and I both fall to the floor laughing. Oh my God, this is the most I’ve laughed since... Since forever. I kneel up on the floor and crawl on my knees over to Max who is now lying on the carpet in a ball, his hand cupping his armpit. You’d think I just stabbed him, not pulled some hair out.

My eyes notice a bit of wax strip sticking out of his other armpit and, before Max can dodge my advance, I pull it with full force making him cry out in pain.

“Stop, God, please, just stop,’’ he cries, tears fully running down his face.

“The quicker it’s done, the easier it will be,’’ Harlow tells him laughing.

“Quicker? Easier? Are you having a fucking laugh? This shit is serious, Harlow. It’s not playing tickle me, Max,’’ he snaps.

“At least let us pull off the ones stuck to your balls before they get permanently stuck,’’ I force out between trying to hold my laugh in.

“WHAT? NO! NO WAY! Stuck? I can’t believe this is fucking happening to me. I’d rather have a night with Amy than go through this,’’ he cries, tucking his head back in his hands.

I look to everyone else in the room. Harlow is bending over the arm of the sofa laughing; Kayla is standing by the fire place, close to Myles who is face down on the other sofa. He still hasn’t spoken; his whimpers are the only sound to indicate he’s even conscious.

“At least let me take the two from off your legs,’’ I plead, trying not to sound like I’m enjoying this too much when I turn back to him.

“Or me,’’ Harlow adds, sitting up straighter. She’s looking rather pale and I’m about to ask if she’s okay when Max grabs my hand.

“Don’t... Don’t hurt me,’’ he whispers, his face full of pain and anguish.

I nod my head, keeping my face straight. There’s no point in rubbing in the fact that I’m enjoying his pain right now. I’ll wait till after.

Men! They proclaim they are the stronger sex but give them wax strips, child birth, and period cramps and they’re fucked. Just proves my point that women rule.

“STOP,’’ he shouts, pushing me away. “Do the legs at the same time. Just...Fuck, just do it.’’

“Okay,’’ I cough out, trying to cover another laugh. He lies back against the sofa, his head resting by the side of Harlow’s thighs and his legs sprawled out in front of him.

“On the count of three,’’ I say quietly. “One...’’ And before he can take a deep breath, I rip them off, falling back on my ass when he flies to the side, screaming in pain.

“YOU MOTHER FUCKING DONKEY,’’ he roars. “My hair, my fucking hair.’’

“Suck it up,’’ Kayla laughs.

“Suck it up? Suck it up? Kayla, you’ve damaged me for life. I’ll be surprised if my hair grows back,’’ Myles cries, sitting up. “I need some painkillers.’’

“Just two more, Max,’’ I tell him, ignoring the others bickering.

“No, no more. I can’t do it. Not to my balls.’’

“They’ve got to come off,’’ Harlow tells him, laughing.

“No, they don’t. Can’t I soak them in water? Yeah, I’ll soak them in water.’’

“It makes the glue turn harder,’’ I lie quickly and he sighs, leaning back with defeat.

“Just fucking do it,’’ he bites out and sits back down again, this time with his legs spread wide open.

“Bro, just know, I’m here for you,’’ Myles whispers.

“Thanks, Twinny,’’ Max whispers back before closing his eyes. My hand isn’t even inches away before he’s slapping them away. “Hold on, I’m not ready,’’ he breathes out before giving me a nod to go ahead. I move again, but just like last time he slaps my hands away.

“Stop it,’’ I snap. “The longer you leave it, the more it will hurt.’’

“I’ll do it,’’ he bites out.

“It hurts more when you do it yourself,’’ I tell him. It’s like pulling a plaster off. When you do it yourself you tend to do it slowly, making the process more painful. But when someone else does it for you, it’s over and done with.

“Just. Let. Me. Do. It,’’ he growls and grabs the wax strip. “FUCK! I can’t do this,’’ Max cries, more tears falling from his eyes.

I giggle but it gets caught in my throat when Max snaps his head to mine; his expression stormy and hard.

“For God’s sake, just do it already,’’ Harlow says and leans forward, grabbing one of the strips. Max moves as she’s doing it so when he slaps her hand away, it’s hanging half off. We’re all giggling while he screams murder, telling us we’re all going to die a slow, painful death and that revenge is a bitch.

While he’s still screaming with his eyes closed and his hand waving the stripped hair like a fan, I take the opportunity to grab the other wax strip, pulling sharply so he doesn’t have time to smack my hand away. His eyes open wide with horror, his mouth hanging open.

“ARRRGGGHHHHH! WHAT DID YOU FUCKING DO?’’ he all but roars to the room. “Man down, MAN DOWN!’’ That’s when the front door slams wide open and Maverick, their older brother, comes rushing in.

“What the fuck is going on? Max? Myles? What’s wrong?’’ he asks, concern lacing his voice.

“They’ve... I can’t talk about it,’’ Max whispers, his voice finally calming down, while Myles looks to the floor. Maverick surveys they room, his eyes landing on me and Harlow near Max’s legs. Harlow’s sitting on the floor now next to me while I’m still sitting between Max’s legs.

“Someone tell me what the fuck is going on right now or, so help me God, I will kick every single one of your asses... Not the girls, though,’’ he adds on once he sees the look on our faces.

“We’ve gone through enough pain, brother,’’ Max snaps, narrowing his eyes on Maverick.

“What the hell is that?’’ Maverick commands.

“What they took away from me,’’ Max confesses, his head bowed.

“Are you wearing a sanitary towel?’’ Maverick laughs, pointing between Max’s legs and I can’t help but giggle. I honestly thought we were in trouble when he walked in. I’ve not had time to meet with Maverick. He’s always busy at work or from what Joan has said, wanting to start another business. He seems pretty cool, though, and hot as hell. His tattoos are freaking hotter than hell.

“No, it’s a fucking wax strip,’’ Myles answers for Max, wincing, probably at the reminder of the pain.

“Please, don’t tell me this is to make your dick look big? A mate of mine from work does it all the time. It’s sick. I don’t get why you’d torture yourself just for that.’’

“What are you talking about?’’ Max asks, his tone perking up.

“You know Jimmy, the doorman? He removes all his hair down there. Said girls dig that shit and it makes his dick look bigger,’’ Maverick shrugs. He’s talking about dicks like it’s no big deal. Both Harlow’s and Kayla’s faces have turned beet red and I’m counting my lucky stars I’ve never had that problem. Don’t get me wrong, I get embarrassed, I just don’t turn beet red.

Max’s eyes light up, like there’s a silver lining now after his temper tantrum. I roll my eyes and to wipe the smile from his face I rip off the last bit of the remaining wax strip Harlow failed to remove.

“Holy mother of God,’’ Maverick mutters, wincing as he stares between Max’s legs. “I think I’ll get you an ice pack; that doesn’t look too good,’’ he adds, looking at where Max has his balls on show, but thankfully, his dick is still covered.

That’s when I look, I mean, really look. The left increase of his leg is red and swollen. It’s also the side that was mostly stuck onto his ball bag and with it shamelessly hanging out a little you can clearly see it’s swollen and red.

“What the fuck have you done to my balls?’’ he screeches, standing up.

“Go soak it in cold water,’’ Harlow chimes in, looking pale again.

“Are you okay?’’ I ask her, ignoring Max when he asks me to look up his symptoms.

“Yeah, just tired,’’ Harlow answers, however, from the look on her face I can tell it’s more.

“Are you even listening?’’ Max snaps as Maverick walks out of the room with Myles.

“Your balls aren’t going to drop off,’’ I tell him before looking back to Harlow. “Are you sure? You look seriously pale.’’

“Yeah, you do,’’ Kayla adds, concerned, helping Harlow stand up.

“Do any of you fucking care about my balls?’’ Max screams.

We all look to him before simultaneously snapping, “No,’’ at him. I turn back to Harlow in time to watch her sway. My arms reach out to steady her but I’m too late and before I know it she’s on the floor unconscious.

“Call an ambulance,’’ I scream as Maverick and Myles run back into the front room to see what the commotion is about.

I shift in the uncomfortable seat in the waiting area of the hospital. We’ve only been here ten minutes or so but already Malik, Joan, Granddad, Mason and Denny are all here. Malik was the only one let in the room with Harlow. The last we heard she was awake still and was waiting for the doctors to see her.

She could be losing her fucking baby and they’re making her wait. Shouldn’t she be a priority?

“Are you okay? You’ve not seemed yourself since we arrived,’’ Joan sniffles from beside me. She taps my leg and I wince at the pain it causes between my legs. What a fucking place to put a wax strip. I can feel the rough sting with every fucking movement I make. I’m not even going to go there and describe the pain I’m still in. Getting fisted by Liam and Amy together sounds less painful than what I just went through.

I cough, remembering Joan asked me a question and answer, “Yep.’’

“You sure? Myles doesn’t look right either. You need to know Harlow’s going to be fine. You don’t need to worry,’’ she tells me but it sounds like she’s trying to convince herself more than me.

If only she fucking knew. I was too busy ranting about my balls being sore to notice Harlow was suffering too. I remember hearing Lake ask her if she was okay but I was so self-absorbed in my ball bag that I didn’t even stop to register that they were truly concerned.

“I need to just pop to the reception,’’ I wince out, needing an icepack like...now. My balls feel like they’re on fire.

“Where are you going?’’ Lake whispers when I stand up.

“I need something. I can’t handle this.’’

Her eyes soften and she reaches out for my hand. Her touch has me almost forgetting the pain between my legs...Almost. “She’ll be okay.’’

“I hope so; I’ve got payback to dish out,’’ I tell her, but my voice lacks any conviction. If Harlow is okay, and the baby, there is no way I’ll be doing anything to her. Not even putting toothpaste in her hair when she’s asleep. After seeing her on the floor unconscious today... It’s just knocked me about. I just pray her and the baby are both good and healthy.

Lake rolls her eyes. “So, where are you going? I’ll come with you.’’

“I need to go get something for um... You know...’’ I cough and look down to my dick.

“Ohhhhh,’’ she giggles quietly and stands up to join me. “This I have to see.’’

We arrive at the reception desk where an older lady sits typing away at a computer. Her eyes lift up to us when she hears us approaching, her glasses slipping half way down her nose when she does.

“Can I help?’’ she asks tersely.

“Um, I hope so,’’ I cough, feeling embarrassed and nervous. “My sister-in-law, she was brought in twenty minutes or so ago. Before she had her fall I was in the middle of getting some... um, medical attention.’’ Fuck, this is hard.

“I’m confused,’’ the lady tells me and I sigh, scrubbing my hand down my face.

“What he’s trying to say is that he’s had a reaction to some wax strips,’’ Lake helpfully butts in. I turn my head to the side and glare down at her. At 6 foot I tower over her 5 foot 5 frame, so I’m hoping my height is enough to intimidate her.

“Let’s see,’’ the lady says, moving around the desk. I look wide-eyed at Lake but all I get is her silent laughter. I’m so going to get her back for this if it’s the last thing I bloody do.

“It’s um... It’s,’’ I pause, taking in a deep breath, then lean in and whisper, “It’s down there,’’ I point.

“Why on earth are you waxing down... Ohhhh. Well, if you’ll follow me I’ll get you a bed and you can wait for a doctor to see you.’’

Not wanting to be away from the others or Harlow, I decline. “I’m sorry, I can’t. My sister-in-law was brought it. I was just wondering if you had an ice pack or something until we know everything is okay.’’

“Very well, but if it gets worse you must see a doctor immediately,’’ she scolds me. I want to reply with something sarcastic but something tells me I’ll have my balls handed to me, pun intended. I mean, what does she think I’ll do, leave it until my balls drop off? Un-fucking-likely.

“I will, scouts honour,’’ I grin, hoping the dimples get her to hurry up. She just rolls her eyes and tells us to wait where we are while she goes and gets me one. I sigh with relief. I’m not sure how much longer I can handle the fire burning down there.

“That was so fucking funny,’’ Lake giggles and I turn, advancing on her. She loses her smile and steps back. I take one step forward, caging her into the reception desk. I lean down, my mouth hovering over her neck before slowly making my way up to her ear.

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten for one second the pain you inflicted on me. I’m going to make you pay,’’ I whisper huskily, my mind conjuring up all the ways I can make her pay. On her back, legs spread, on all fours, but even better, her pussy waxed and sitting on my face.

Getting a boner right now, in this kind of situation, and not to mention the pain, has me silently cursing, my head moving back to look at her.

“Yeah? How you are you planning on doing that?’’ she asks with a twinkle in her eye. Little minx.

“Let’s just say it will involve a lot less pain, your ass, my hand and you naked on my bed.’’ My voice turns deep, my voice husky as I stare into her deep blue eyes that dilate at my words.

Fuck, she likes the sound of that.

“R-really,’’ she coughs, gaining her voice back.

“Really,’’ I promise, moving closer, my lips hovering over hers. That’s when the old nurse decides to interrupt, ruining my fucking moment to get some pleasure after an evening of pain.

“Here, this is all I could do at such short notice,’’ she tells me, handing me a cold press.

“This is great.’’ I thank her.

She gives me a nod and I turn towards the way we came, Lake following beside me as we walk back to the waiting room. I make quick work of placing the cold press inside my boxers, trying my best while moving to put it in the right place. Patients and other people look at me in disgust as we pass them. That’s when Lake starts giggling and I turn to see what’s so funny.

“What?’’

“Well, you are messing with your man parts in the middle of a hospital where sick people are. I’m pretty sure there’s a word for it,’’ she giggles and that’s when I groan. I’ve got both hands down my pants and it must look like I’m messing with myself to other people.

“This is great, just fucking great,’’ I hiss and nearly collide with Maverick when he steps out of the waiting room.

“There you are. Where have you been?’’

“What’s wrong? Are Harlow and the baby okay?’’ I ask worriedly.

“We haven’t heard anything,’’ he sighs sadly. He looks too old for his twenty-four years. He’s had to grow up quicker than most people. It’s times like this that I notice just how much he has had to grow up. “So, where did you go?’’

“To get an ice pack,’’ I admit. Realisation dawns on Maverick and he tries to cover up his deep chuckle by turning his back on us and walking back into the waiting area but I heard it. 

Everyone is still sitting in the same position as we left them. The chairs are arranged in a square around the room, then six in the middle, three either side facing away from each other. We’re all huddled in the far corner; the only other people in the room are a couple that are sitting nearer the door. The room is cold and not comforting at all which has done nothing to ease the tension in the room.

Joan is still looking out of the window where the rain drips down the window. Another thing that adds to the gloom that surrounds the air in the room. The depressing bloody weather.

I’ve just taken a seat, adjusting the cold press on my balls when the door opens revealing a pale, dishevelled Malik. Lake gasps from beside me and my fists clench at the sight of him. He doesn’t look good which means, whatever he’s about to say isn’t good.

“Harlow wants everyone in the room. The doctors agreed so she would calm down.’’ Okay, not bad, but then it’s not good either. If Harlow wants us all there that means she needs us all there for support.

We all stand up, Mark and Joan asking Malik what’s been said. Malik answers but it’s short and sweet. They can’t find a heartbeat. My body freezes. Doesn’t that mean? No! It can’t.

I want to punch something. Hit something. My brother, fuck, even Harlow doesn’t deserve this shit. After everything he’s been through, he doesn’t need this. Not now. Not ever.

I thought I had commitment problems caused from daddy and mommy issues, but Malik’s issues ran much deeper than mine. Now look at him. He’s finally moved forward, found happiness, and now it’s going to be ripped away from him, just like that.

“You’re hurting me,’’ Lake whispers softly and I shake myself from my thoughts and look to her. It’s the first time I notice I’m holding her hand tightly.

“Shit, sorry. Did I hurt you?’’

“It’s fine,’’ she whispers as we arrive outside Harlow’s room. Walking in, Harlow is in a small bed, her back propped up by millions of cushions. Tears are streaming down her face and that’s when I notice her attention is on a doctor sitting on a stool by the side of her. My first thought is to punch the fuck out of the doctor for making her cry; the second is to remind myself he’s there to help her. It’s not easy sitting back and watching the light slowly leaving her eyes.

“I wasn’t expecting this many people. Are you sure you want them here?’’ the doctor asks Harlow quietly. I’d normally take offence to his comment but at the moment the only thing I care about is Harlow and the fact she’s in pain. She wasn’t in pain before. She clutches her stomach again and I watch, feeling helpless as Malik moves around the other side of the bed, taking her hand in his. He says something to her that we can’t hear, but whatever he said seems to have relaxed her somewhat.

Joan moves towards her and from here I can see she’s holding it together for Harlow, but even still, you can see the pain clear on her face. She doesn’t like seeing her granddaughter suffering and possibly... I choke on my thoughts, a few eyes coming my way, but I don’t bother acknowledging them or finishing my trail of thought. My main focus is to stay positive for Harlow and the baby.

“Okay, the gel will be a little cold but you should get used to it after a couple of seconds,’’ the doctor tells Harlow.

The rest of us are standing back against the far wall; not wanting to get in the way.

We all move closer when a thumping drums around the room. We all look to the small screen, all of us preparing ourselves... For what, I don’t know. I just know my entire focus is on that screen. 

“Oh, look what we have here,’’ the doctor speaks again and everyone’s attention focuses on him.

“What, what’s wrong?’’ Harlow demands, her voice filled with emotion. You can see the pain etched on her face, yet, the fear that’s filled in her eyes is much clearer and painful to witness.

“This is the baby’s heartbeat,’’ he smiles, pointing to the screen. Harlow’s moan turns into a sob, her shoulders shaking and her body leaning a little into Malik who is sitting half on the bed comforting her. His eyes haven’t left the screen either and from here, I can see he had prepared himself for the worst and not for the positive outcome. The tears in his eyes are a clear indication of relief. Relief Harlow is okay and that his baby is okay.

But then the doctor opens his mouth, moving the device on Harlow’s stomach a little. “And here’s the second baby’s heartbeat,’’ he adds, and everyone gasps, another fast thumping sound echoing around the room.

Malik is frozen in place, however, Harlow’s head whips around to the doctor, looking terrified. “How are there two?’’

The doctor looks around the room, his eyes staying on me and Myles a second longer and we both grin. Harlow’s eyes follow his and when our eyes meet hers she gives us an accusing gaze, her eyes narrowed on us.

“You did this,’’ she snaps, though, her tone has lost conviction.

“Pretty sure I’d remember if I did,’’ I wink, speaking up for the first time. Harlow narrows her eyes then starts smiling.

“Two! Two, Malik,’’ she whispers, looking up at him. Then realising where she is she doesn’t wait for an answer before turning back to the doctor. “Are they okay?’’

“Yes. Your blood pressure is really low so that could be the reason why you fainted. It’s common in pregnancy. The pains in your stomach could be due to your stress levels so I do advise you to relax for a few days. You have no signs of concussion from your fall, so I see no worries,’’ he promises as he passes Harlow a tissue to clean up.

“I need another job,’’ Malik barks out, his face pale. We all laugh but he doesn’t join us. “And we need a house, a big one. One with a garden. We’ll need a safer car but then, we knew that already. We’ll have to get
double
of
everything.
I’ll pick up some more work, more shifts and leave college to get a full time job.’’

My brother’s a nut and if he thinks he’s going to do this on his own, he’s got another thing coming. 

“Malik,’’ Harlow whispers, looking up at him with soft eyes. “They’re okay, we’re okay.’’

“Yeah, but there’s two, babe. Two! I don’t think I’ll cope if they’re boys. Are they boys?’’ he rants to the doctor.