Pure Passion (18 page)

“Well, Max isn’t afraid of commitment.  He and Celeste dated
for almost nine years.”

“Yeah, J.T. was pretty excited to hear that they finally
broke up.  He always wanted Max to be one of his single, party friends.”

“Which is why he was invited tonight, I assume.”

“Yeah, I don’t think he expected Max to show up with a
date.  Neither did Tina and Traci.”

“Tina and Traci, as in both of them?”

“Yeah, that’s kind of their thing.  We call them Tina and
Traci Ménage.”

“Wow, so that’s what Max could’ve been doing tonight if I
hadn’t come along.”

“Come on.  You look like you could really use another glass
of wine.”

~~~

Lara

After getting me a nice big glass of wine, Marin invited me
up to the third floor balcony.  The view was breathtaking, and it was nice to
rise above all of the
gold digging
that was going on below.

“This is my favorite spot during parties,” Marin said, as we
stood at the railing overlooking the crowd.  “People never realize how loud
they’re talking.  I’ve heard some of the best lines from up here.”

“I’ll bet you have.”

I looked down and saw Max, J.T., the twins, and another
bimbo all laughing and drinking at the bar next to the pool. 
I wonder if
Max has even noticed that I didn’t return.  He doesn’t appear to be looking for
me at all.  Oh well, he can’t get in much trouble with me overhead.

Marin went around the whole patio, pointing out who was who
and telling me their history.  Marin explained, “Very soon, you’ll see couples
starting to disappear.  Then J.T. grabs a few of the leftovers at the end of
the night to keep him company.”

“I imagine even the leftovers are pretty good-looking,” I
begrudgingly admitted.

“I like you,” Marin stated, “I’m glad you came tonight. 
It’s kind of nice to have someone to hang with instead of sitting up here being
cynical all by myself.”

“So she’s actually your girlfriend?” I heard Traci asking
Max, which immediately grabbed my attention. 

“Really?  Why?” Tina chimed in.

“Honestly, I don’t know exactly.  She definitely didn’t seem
like my type at first, but there’s something about her.  She makes me smile.”

“We’ll make you smile,” Tina replied, as both she and Traci
flanked him.

“No, it’s not like that.  It’s not about the sex.  I don’t
know. It’s hard to explain.”

“Well, at least he admitted you were his girlfriend.  That’s
something J.T. would never do,” Marin commented, trying to reassure me.

“True, but I wasn’t his type, and it’s not about the sex. 
So I don’t think I should feel overly flattered here.”

“It’s never easy for girls like us to compete with women
like that.  We have to try extra hard.”

The funny thing was, for the past few weeks I hadn’t felt
like “that girl” anymore.  In fact, for the first time in my life, I felt sexy,
fun and wanted.  It was as if Marin was looking beyond my metamorphosis and
seeing the real me.  Maybe it was because she and I had spent so much time
walking down the same road.  She must’ve been able to read me, just by the
expressions on my face or something
.  I don’t want to be that girl anymore. 
I want to be the wild, sexy, fun girl who drives Max wild.  Not the nice,
pleasant girl who makes him smile.  Dammit.

When Marin and I finished off our wine, I was ready to
rejoin the party below.  Max was mine, so I had no reason to stay up there and
be cynical.  Tonight was about him connecting with an old friend, but tomorrow
night would be my time to shine. 
Who cares about Tina and Traci?  After tonight,
they’ll be nothing but a bad memory.  Man, there are lots of bedrooms in this
house.  It’s about time for Max and me to go play around in ours…

As I walked down the stairs, I quickly realized that Marin
was right.  I saw one couple heading out the back door and another disappearing
into one of the bedrooms. 
Why do guys go for these bimbos anyway?  They’re
good looking, but the guys have to know these women just after their wallets. 
I can’t imagine being so damn shallow.

Rejoining the party, I overheard Tina bemoaning my
presence. 
He’s mine bitches
, flashed through my mind as I walked
straight up to Max and gave him a kiss on the lips.

“Where have you been?” he asked, seemingly caught off-guard.

“Talking to Marin.”

“Ooh, that’s not good,” J.T. groaned, “What did she tell
you?”

“Nothing bad.  Only that she’s loved you for years, but
you’re scared of commitment,” I replied, letting the wine do the talking.

“Shut up, Lara!” I heard from above me.

“Sorry, Marin. I just thought he should know,” I yelled
back.

“I might be avoiding commitment, but I’m not stupid.  She’s
one of my best friends,” he replied, as the slut on his arm became even more
possessive.  She began to run her fingers through his hair and rub herself
against him as he tried to explain his relationship with Marin.

“Don’t sweat it J.T., Lara doesn’t have a filter. 
Especially after a few glasses of wine,” Max said, as he put his arm around me
and pulled me to his side.

At least that got Tina out of her spot.  Maybe she and
Traci should move on and find an available target, before it’s too late.  Otherwise,
they’ll end up in a four-way with J.T. and that bimbo.  My God, her dress is so
short that I can practically see both ass cheeks.  Maybe I should tell her…

“You behave,” Max warned, after apparently reading my
thoughts.

The next hour dragged, as Max and I continued to listen to
J.T.’s sex-ventures. 
How this guy doesn’t have herpes or AIDS is beyond me. 
He seems so reckless; I’ll bet he doesn’t even use condoms.  Poor Marin…  How
can she possibly stay in love with someone like him?

Even though Max had his arm around me, I felt completely
ignored.  On top of that, Tina and Traci continued to hurl out increasingly
vicious comments as they got more and more liquored up. 
Do they actually
think that cutting me down will make Max want them instead?  These two are
definitely a little socially inept.  Maybe all that silicone has gone to their
brains.

Watching the twins interact with the guys, I realized they
weren’t much different from the girls with whom I used to hang out
.  I’m
glad I don’t have to spend my weekends driving them around anymore.  I’m not
sure why I let them use me like that.  Just like Marin, some part of me must
get off on self-torture.

“Are we having fun yet?” Marin quipped, as she stopped by to
fill my wine glass again. 
As if I needed more wine…

“Oh yeah, this is awesome.  Everybody here is so nice,” I
replied, glaring at the ménage twins.  
Ha!  That comment got Max’
attention.  Oh yeah, glare at me now.  Fuck you.  You’re the one subjecting me
to this shit. 

My thoughts were broken by another buzz from my phone, which
I assumed would be my helicopter mom checking in.  I was close, as it was a
text from Brea wondering why I hadn’t called her. 
Shit!  I totally meant to
call her.
 I sent her a quick text apologizing and telling her that I’d
call her on the way home tomorrow.  As I finished texting her, I saw the voice
record icon, and it reminded me of the recording I had made of Max the other
night.  After scrolling toward the end of it, I cranked up the volume and
clicked play. 

After a few seconds of relative silence a voice that was
clearly Max’ said, “Lara, I’m begging you. Please, please, stop.  I can’t take
anymore.”

Max immediately pulled the phone from my hand and shoved it
in his pants pocket.  J.T. and a couple of the bimbos burst out laughing, and I
was laughing so hard I almost peed in my pants. 

“It’s not the sex, huh, buddy?” J.T. asked, as the first
round of laughter died down.  “I like you, Lara.  Max is right. You’re
hilarious.”

“Thanks!  I’m just not very good at being bored.  That’s
when I tend to get myself in trouble,” I explained. 

Max remained silent, but I knew he thought it was funny,
too.  He just didn’t want to give me the satisfaction of getting him back for
being such a schmuck.  I was glad he had invited me to the party though, even
if silicon-filled bimbos had abused me most of the night. 
I can’t imagine
what would be going on if he hadn’t invited me.  I’m sorry for embarrassing
you, Max.  I’ll try to behave now.  Shit, I think I drank too much wine again. 
I have to stop doing that. 

Max

Lara’s even funny under duress, after she has a little wine
onboard to loosen her up.  Too much wine, though, and she tends to embarrass
the shit out of me.  I realize these girls are making her uncomfortable, but
it’s been so long since I’ve partied with J.T.   I wish she would just chill and
let me have some fun.

About fifteen minutes after she finished that last glass of
wine, it was clearly obvious I had to go put Lara to bed.  J.T. and the others
just laughed as I slung Lara over my shoulder and headed into the house.  I had
to laugh, too, when she began ranting about the fact that I never wanted to go skinny-dipping. 
Handcuffs and skinny-dipping were her two favorite topics after drinking too
much wine. 
She definitely has her moments.

“Lie down with me,” she insisted, as I tried to put her to
bed.

“Alright, just lie down, and I’ll spoon you,” I agreed,
knowing she would be out cold in a couple of minutes.

Apparently, all of the booze, combined with a long week got
the best of me, as well.  I woke up to the sound of seagulls and a rising sun. 
Shit!  I fell asleep.  J.T.’s going to be pissed. 

Lara always has such an angelic look on her face when
she’s sound asleep.  I don’t think I could possibly stay mad at her.  Tina and
Traci were really mean to her last night.  I should’ve stood up for her.  I’m
not sure what the hell I was thinking.  Whiskey sure makes me stupid sometimes.

Lying back down, I re-awoke about noon when J.T. began
pounding on our door.  “Drop his cock and grab your flip flops, Lara!  It’s
time for Brunch on the deck.”

Lara simply groaned and rubbed her face.  She looked like
she was trying to figure out where the hell she was.  “Whoa, I’m done with wine
for a while.”

“Yeah, you and Marin went a little overboard last night.”

“I like her.  She’s really sweet, but I’m not sure what she
sees in J.T.”

“He’s a good guy at heart, but his dad is about like mine. 
He just can’t handle it all as well as I do.”

“You handle it so well because you’ve got me,” she replied,
with that sparkle in her eyes.

“That’s true.  Maybe he should give Marin a chance.”

~~~

Out on the deck, all of the booze from the night before had
been replaced by a huge spread that J.T. has catered in after each party.  He
apologized to Lara for how the Ménage sisters had treated her and for allowing
Marin to get her so drunk.  Speaking of Marin, something was pretty strange
there, as well.  If I hadn’t been there the night before, I would’ve sworn she
was his girlfriend based on the way he was treating her.  No wonder she was
having some issues, as there was definitely some Jekyll and Hyde going on.  But
it wasn’t really any of my business, so I tried to act as though everything
seemed normal.

After a great brunch, Lara and I went for another quick walk
on the beach.  It gave me a chance to apologize for my behavior the night
before.  It definitely hadn’t been our best night together.  Once again, the turquoise
waves crashing against that gorgeous white sand was our therapy.  We were both
in a much better mood by the time we got back.  It almost seemed like we were
off in the Caribbean somewhere, instead of just a few hours from home. 
J.T.
doesn’t realize what a lucky bastard he is to live right on this amazing
beach.  It’s awesome here.

“We have to get going soon,” Lara reminded me at two
o’clock.  “We have to meet Derek and Hadley at The Deuce at seven.  So if you
want to clean up and change clothes, we better head back.”

 I wasn’t sure what the big deal was about going to The
Deuce, but it was Saturday night, so what the hell.  I promised her that I
would make up for how she had been treated the night before
.  I just love
how she smiles when I say things like that.  I’m going to make tonight a night
she’ll never forget.

~~~

5 Hours Later

Lara

The expression on Max’ face when we walked into The Deuce
was priceless.  His jaw literally dropped when he saw the huge congratulations
sign with his
Rolling Stone
magazine picture hanging above the bar.  I
had sent Derek a text on our way over, so everyone cheered as we walked in.  It
was an incredible moment for the most deserving guy I had ever known.

“Thanks, Lara. Thanks, Derek. You guys are the best,” Max
gushed, overcome with emotion.

Steady streams of people were gathering around Max and me,
congratulating him and gushing about his sudden fame.  I found it amazing that
many of the same people hadn’t given him a second thought just a week ago.  It
was actually a little disturbing how fickle people could be when it came to
pseudo-celebrities.  Girls were actually asking Max to autograph the
Rolling
Stone
flyers we had printed out. 
That’s a little over the top!

All in all, it was a great night for Max.  He was soaking in
the spotlight, and the expressions on his face were reminiscent of his glory
days when he was captain of the high school football team.  He had that
gorgeous perma-smile pasted on his face, and his eyes were alive with passion. 
There is something incredibly attractive about a man who is truly in his
element.
  After being pushed and shoved around for nearly an hour, Derek
and I went up to the bar and took a seat.  Max was so caught up in the fuss
that he didn’t seem to notice our departure.

Max

This is incredible! I didn’t have a clue that Derek and
Lara had anything like this planned.  Who are all of these people?  They all
seem to know me, but I don’t even recognize most of them.  I guess it’s not
every day that someone from Tallahassee is on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine,
but this is crazy.  Even Stacy Evans came to see me.  I haven’t seen her since
a few months after high school graduation.  Damn, she still looks good!

If there was one woman who could’ve stolen me away from
Celeste in high school, it was Stacy.  Stacy was about five foot nine with long
blond hair and gorgeous hazel / blue eyes.  She would’ve been a model, or even
Miss America, if she had gone for it.  When we were seniors, I was homecoming
King, and she was the Queen.  Unfortunately, she was seriously dating a good
friend of mine, so even though we often flirted with each other, it never led
to anything.   Even though I hadn’t seen her in years, I still thought about
her every once in a while and had even searched for her unsuccessfully on
Facebook.  That night, though, she approached me with a
Rolling Stone
flyer in hand for me to sign. 
This is so strange.
  Suddenly, she acted
as if I was out of her league, when nothing could’ve been further from the
truth. 
The world is definitely out of whack!

~~~

Just when I thought the night couldn’t get any better, I
turned to see Lara and Derek up on stage.  They thanked everyone for coming out
and then told me to get my ass up there, as well.  Walking out on stage was
incredible, with everyone yelling and cheering like I was a rock star
.  I
see why REAL rock stars get addicted to the spotlight.
  Lara and Derek
simultaneously grabbed me for a group hug and then announced to the crowd my
final surprise for the evening.  Lara had gotten in touch with Tag McCoy and
told him that she was throwing me a surprise party in conjunction with the
concert.  Then Tag walked out on stage, carrying the new guitar I had built for
him.  Holding it up for the crowd, he let them know it was one of mine. 
This
is the greatest night of my life!

I smiled at Lara and mouthed, “Thank you!” as Tag began to
play.  He was rippin’ it up when Derek came back with another round of Crown
straight shots for all of us.  I was surprised by the fact that Lara could keep
up with the boys and actually seemed to like them.  There aren’t many women who
can handle straight shots of whiskey.  After our shots, we went back to
mingling with the crowd.  Again, I was making new friends faster than I could
remember their names.  When Hadley showed up, we all hit the dance floor.  Tag
and his crew kicked it up a notch, so we were all dancing, sweating and drinking,
just having a great time.  Things got interesting when Lara and Hadley took a
break to go “freshen up.”

Derek and I were leaning up against the bar catching our
breath, when Stacy and her friends stopped by to say goodbye. 

“Whoa, check out the hotties headed our way,” Derek
broadcast, as they approached.

“Yeah, the blond is Stacy.  You have to remember her from
high school.”

“Oh god yeah, you used to be whipped over her.  Wow, she’s
gotten even hotter!”

All three girls were smiling as they approached us.  Derek
was talking so loud that they had probably heard everything he had said.

“We have to take off, but hopefully we’ll see you guys
around.  Do you guys come here often?” Stacy asked.

“I’m the head bartender,” Derek replied instantly, “So I’m
here all the time.”

“How about you?” she asked, looking me directly in the eyes.

“Yeah, I’m here quite a bit.  Both Derek and Lara work here,
so I stop by and visit them.”

“So, things are pretty serious with this Lara?”

“Nah, we just started dating a few weeks ago,” I replied,
still mesmerized by her eyes.

“That’s good.  Maybe I’ll see you around then.” 

Stacy smiled and moved towards me, giving me the most
amazing kiss. 

“Alright,” I smiled back, “See you around.”

That’s when I heard a scream and the sound of shattering
glass, as Lara’s martini glass hit the hard tile floor.  I turned to see a look
on Lara’s face that would haunt me forever. 
Oh my god, what have I done?

Lara

I had a bad feeling the first time I saw Max and Stacy
talking that night.  I could tell by the look on his face that he was hot for
her.  He was giving her those flirty looks that were supposed to be reserved
for me.  I found it a pretty annoying, since he had just apologized earlier for
how he acted at J.T.’s party the night before.  Hadley and I were facing a long
wait at the women’s restroom, so we turned back to hang out with the guys
instead.  We saw Stacy and her friends were talking to them, so we decided to
play it cool and see how our men handled the little test.

Hadley was immediately annoyed by the way Derek was
flirting.  She wanted to go right over and kick his ass.  I held her back,
because I really wanted to see how Max dealt with Stacy.  His comment about
only dating a few weeks was the first jab at my heart. 
After all I’ve done
for him the past month?  He dismisses me like that?

Then when she started inching toward him, I just knew she
was going to kiss him. 
This is the true test.  Please pass this test, Max! 
Please don’t kiss her back!
  Standing there looking on, I cringed as their
lips met. 
Please, Max!  No!  Fuck, he’s kissing her back!

I heard myself shriek and the sound of shattering glass, as
my drink fell away from my hand.  The feeling of ice-cold liquid spraying
across my feet seemed like a treat, compared to the sudden burst of pain in my
chest. 
Oh God, not again!  I can’t go through therapy again,
was the
only thought coursing through my mind as I turned and ran from everyone. 
Gasping for breath and choking back tears, I weaved through the crowd as waves
of anxiety and despair literally crashed down upon me.

How could he do this to me?
  I finally reached the
doors and burst through them into the humid silence of the outside air. 
What
am I going to do? I’m such an idiot.
  I ran toward my car, fumbling through
my purse desperate to find my keys.  I managed to get my car door open, just as
I heard both Hadley and Max yelling behind me. 

“Lara! Please stop!  Let me explain!” Max pleaded.

There was nothing to explain.  I had seen the looks.  I
watched the kiss and heard him dismiss me as if I were merely an acquaintance. 
All of the pain and sorrow from the eight previous years came flooding back as
I started the engine and slammed my car into gear. 
I can’t even bear the
sight of Max right now.  I need to get away from him and just think things through.
How could I be so stupid?  How could I have possibly thought Max would ever
love me the way I love him?  Mom’s right, I need help!

Tears literally poured down my cheeks as I pulled onto the
street and headed toward my parents’ house. My phone began ringing on the seat
next to me, and I saw Max’ picture.  Until five minutes before, I lived for the
sight of that picture on my screen, but right then it was the last thing I
wanted to see.  I reached over, to flip the damn thing over.  Out of the corner
of my eye, I saw something flash, and unfortunately, it was a mailbox. 
Shit,
I missed the curve!
  I cranked the wheel, but it was too little too late. 
The second crash of glass within the span of five minutes was the result of
that mailbox coming through my windshield.  My foot slammed the brake pedal to
the floor, but my car had already been launched into the air from hitting the
curb.  After a couple of brief seconds of silent flight, I was hit in the face
harder than I ever could’ve possibly imagined. 
What the hell was that?  I
can’t breathe.  What just happened?  
Lying there in a state of confusion
for who knows how long, I finally heard someone shouting at me from above
. 
It sounds like Max.

“Lara!  Are you ok?  Lara, can you hear me?” 

His voice sounded so desperate, but I really didn’t want to
hear it right now. He began pulling at me and kept on yelling like a crazy
person. 
Ow, that hurts, Max!  Why are you doing this?

I tried to tell him to stop, but for some reason my mouth
wouldn’t work. 
Holy shit that hurts!  It feels like he’s stabbing me! 
Please just stop.

I felt the hard ground against my back.  Max was yelling
again.  It sounded like he was crying, too, but I still couldn’t say anything
. 
I just can’t breathe. My chest hurts so badly.

Max

At least I was able to take Hadley’s car and chase after
Lara, otherwise it most likely would’ve been the last time I saw her alive. 
When I came across her smashed up car, I expected the worst, and that’s exactly
what I found.  There was a spray of blood all across the airbag and Lara as
well.  I could smell raw gas and burnt rubber, so I knew I had to get her out
of there.  Her car could’ve burst into flames any second.  Lara just moaned as
I tried to wake her.  She was so out of it.  After getting her untangled from
the seat belt, I managed to slide her feet-first out of the car.

I dragged her until we were a safe distance away and laid
her on her back.  She was gasping for air and making a horrible gurgling sound,
so I turned her on her side.  She coughed up a bunch of blood, which totally
freaked me out.  Pulling out my cell phone, I called 911.  As they answered, my
emotions completely overwhelmed me.  I simply said there had been an accident
on St. Augustine Road, and we needed an ambulance immediately.  The dispatcher
tried to get me to stay on the line, but I had to set the phone down.  Lara was
still gasping for air and then stopped breathing completely.  I turned her on
her back and started blowing into her lungs.  I could still hear the 911
dispatcher’s voice, but there was no time to talk.  Lara gasped again, I turned
her head to the side and again blood spurt from her lips.

“Don’t save me, Max...”

The words were so faint. 
I couldn’t have heard that right.

Tilting her head up toward me, I asked her to repeat
herself.

“If you’re just going to hurt me, please let me go.”

Let her go?

Her words hit me harder than a slap across the face; tears
immediately burst from my eyes.  A sudden realization came over me with the
force of a tidal wave.  Exactly one month ago, I had looked to the sky and
begged for a break.  A few hours later, Lara had re-entered my life.  Since
that time, a series of crazy, unpredictable events had occurred, leading me to
where I had always dreamt of being.  In that split second I realized that this
beautiful girl, who lay gasping for life, was my big break. 
How could I
possibly hurt her?

“Lara, no!” I pleaded.  “I’m not going to hurt you.  That
was just a stupid reaction to an old high school crush.  I’m so sorry, Lara. 
You are all of my dreams come true!  There’s no way I could handle losing you, and
besides, everything is just starting to come together for us.  You stay with
me, dammit!”

I could see in her eyes that she tried to smile, but once again,
all that came forth was a gurgle
.  What the hell is wrong with her?

“I love you, Lara.  I want to spend my life with you,” I
whispered in her ear, before trying to give her mouth to mouth again.

Much to my relief, the wail of sirens signaled that I was
about to be bailed out of my nightmare. 
Thank you, God!  Thank you!
  A
fire truck was the first one on the scene, and an EMT immediately took over CPR. 
I picked up my phone and tried to collect myself enough to thank the 911
dispatcher for the quick response.  By the time I hung up, the paramedics had
arrived, as well.  I overheard one of the fire fighters telling the paramedic
that she had a punctured lung, and it appeared the other lung was at least
partially collapsed.  Standing there feeling completely helpless, I watched
them continue to furiously work on her.  It seemed like every minute she would
gasp and blood would again spurt from her mouth.  
Please, let her be alright. 
I’ll never forgive myself...