Walking on Eggshells
Logan grunted as he struggled to pull himself up. His legs had decided to be stubborn and give way just as he felt him an Max were finally beginning to get somewhere in their relationship. Why is this so hard? I must have built at least some muscle up in my arms by pushing that chair! He grabbed the side of the table and struggled again, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Max stopped, her hand on the door. She sighed and turned back towards the kitchen. She stopped in the doorway when she saw Logan pulling himself up to the table. She didn't understand. I thought his legs were getting better. She watched him for a few more moments, his arms shaking from the weight and his face strained. "Logan?"
He jumped, making his arms give out and he fell to the ground. He looked up at her, surprised. "Max, what are you doing here? I thought you left."
She walked over and knelt beside him. "I was going to, and then I realized that I would never get a meal as good as Logan Cale's anywhere in this city." She smiled and he propped himself up on his elbows. Her smile disappeared. "Why didn't you tell me your legs weren't healing as well as you said?"
He looked down. "I'm fine, Max." He looked back up at her. "Besides, what do you care? I'm just your meal ticket."
She narrowed her eyes and glared at him. "Right. That's why I'm here right now, sitting beside you, offering my arm to help you up. God, Logan, you are absolutely right!" She huffed. She then started to stand, but Logan stopped her by catching her arm.
"I didn't tell you because I was afraid. I knew everything would change when I got out of that chair and I wasn't sure what would happen if I had to rely on it again." He lifted one corner of his mouth in a half-smile and she felt warm inside.
She was about to reply 'whatever' when she realized this was a touchy subject and she couldn't just shrug it off. "You could have told me." She reached her hand out to touch his cheek. "You didn't have to be afraid."
He cleared his throat nervously. "I know. Sorry." She shrugged, then put her arms under his armpits and lifted him up. "M-Max. What…what are you doing?" He felt his cheeks heat up at the contact.
She pulled back a little and looked into his blue eyes, almost losing herself in their depths. "I'm helping you up. You don't want to continue this conversation sitting on the floor, do you?" She lifted him up onto the table and rested her hands on his thighs. "So, are you going to whip up another culinary miracle or what?" She grinned.
He hesitated, not sure whether his legs would hold him up yet. "I…I don't think I can support myself yet." He brought his gaze back to hers and they stared at each other. Logan became aware of the hands resting on his upper thighs and he looked down at them, causing Max to shift them nervously. She moved her feet a little and their faces became so close, she could feel his breath as he exhaled. Logan finally became impatient with the closeness and leaned into her. Their lips met and Max moved her hands from his thighs to his neck, playing with the short strands of hair at the base of his neck. Logan moved his arms to encircle her waist, pulling her closer. They became increasingly passionate, pulling away for breath before returning to their embrace.
"Logan? I'm back!" Bling called from the hallway. Max and Logan jerked apart, not ready to confront others with their current situation. Bling walked into the kitchen and observed the two. "Did I interrupt something?"
Logan shrugged and shook his head while Max picked up the dinner leftovers and put them in the microwave. "Ready for dinner now, Logan?" She pressed a few buttons and the food began to warm up.
He turned and nodded. Pulling himself off the table, he tested his legs. They seemed stable enough to get him over to the cupboard to pick up some cutlery and plates. He and Max caught each others eye and Max gave him a half-smile. Bling noticed it, but decided not to comment.
"Do you guys need some help?" Bling asked as he saw Logan grab his cane quickly and set the plates and cutlery down on the table.
"Nope, we're fine." Max smiled, hoping he would go somewhere else. "Are you hungry?" Say no, say no!
"Yeah, thanks." Bling joined Logan at the table, until Logan got back up to go into the kitchen. "I'd better go help Max." He joined her in the kitchen and leaned against the counter. "Need some help?"
She glanced up at him. "No, it's okay." She lowered her voice. "Is there some way we can get Bling to leave? I don't want to be rude, but can we just feed him and then make him go?"
He grinned and reached out to tuck some of her hair behind her ear. "I'll just tell him I need some rest." She smiled and they took the warmed food to the table.
"Dinner is served." They dug into the food, Logan sitting beside Bling and Max across from him. She slid a foot across the floor and rubbed it against Logans. His gaze jerked up to hers and he grinned, reciprocating. They continued to tease each other when Bling put down his napkin.
"That was great, but I have to get going." He stood up and walked out the door. "Don't stay up too late children!" He said in a mocking tone.
"Sure, mom!" Logan quipped back before hearing Bling close the door. He turned back to Max. "So, about before…"
Max bit her lower lip. "Yeah, about that…I think…" God, what do I think? Was it a mistake? Do I really want to screw up the best relationship I've ever had with a guy? I know I care for him as more than a friend, but does he care for me the same way? "It's getting late. I'm going to check on Zach's contact number and then pack it in. Call me if you're having any more trouble." She resisted leaning over and kissing him. Instead, she got up from the table and went to the door, pausing to say goodbye. She turned around, but was faced by his chest. "Dammit! Don't sneak up like that! I didn't even hear you!"
Logan stood in front of her and smiled. She refuses to admit that she was scared. If she gets scared so easily, why did she stay in Seattle? Her friends? Her job? To help the downtrodden life of the people? For me? I care for her so much. What's holding us back? He quickly took her hand and shook it. "See you later, then."
Max's face fell in disappointment. "Yeah, later." She murmured before she left.