Sweet Submission: Jenny and Max Complete Series Plus Bonus Short Story Read Online Free PDF Page A

outside, and there were a few dishes in the sink, so I went to clean them instead of going to bed.
    Max was sitting at the kitchen table, a closed book in front of him. He didn’t look at me when I entered the room. As I got closer, I noticed that that book was a Bible. It seemed odd that he would be a man of faith. Just how seriously did he take his religion?
    I stood in front of the sink and turned on the faucet. Max looked up at me.
    “We need to talk,” he said.
    Maybe this was it, when we could finally be honest with each other. I turned the faucet off, then went and sat next to him. His face was a mixture of emotions I couldn’t quite describe, but I started to get an uneasy feeling.
    “You have a job now, and you’ll be done with school soon,” Max said. “I think it’s time you move out.”
    “What?” I said. My heart fell to my stomach. “No, I can’t. We’re not ready. I haven’t saved up enough money.”
    “You’ll get there,” Max said, nodding confidently. “You’re smart, Jenny. You’re a hard worker. I know you can do it.”
    “I know I can do it too,” I said. “But now’s not the time. I can’t afford rent and school. And what would I do without Clara?”
    Max looked away, pensively. “You’ll figure something out.” He stood up and walked to the couch.
    I couldn’t believe he was kicking me out, after all I’d done for him. He was nothing more than an ungrateful caveman, just like Todd. I was so ashamed that I’d actually started developing feelings for him.
    He’s just your type, isn’t he? came a snarky thought.
    “Just figure it out, huh?” I said. “If it’s that easy, why don’t you figure it out? You’ve been here for six months.”
    “I pay the rent here, this is where I live,” Max said.
    “And I’ve busted my ass for you. What am I? A slave?”
    “Jenny,” he said. The way he said my name made my heart thump. “You’re not a slave. You’re a very capable, and,” he paused, as if deciding on the word. “Beautiful woman. But you have to go.”
    What was he saying? One second he was telling me I was beautiful, the next he was kicking me out.
    “So, what? We cramp your style? Mr. Big Bad MMA fighter can’t be seen living with a divorced woman and her three year old,” I said, fuming. “We’ve been very careful to stay out of your way. I know Lily is a little rambunctious-“
    “This isn’t about Lily,” he said, interrupting me. “Having you two here, it’s just-“ He placed his hand to his forehead and walked to the other end of the room.
    “It’s what, Max?” I asked softly.
    He turned around, his eyes red with tears. “Too painful,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. “You remind me of her.”
    Seeing his pain caused tears to well in my own eyes. His wife, of course. I’d been so caught up in my own problems, I’d forgotten that Max was probably still in mourning. 
    “I’ll start looking for a place tomorrow. We’ll be out of here as soon as we can,” I said, then marched off to bed.
    *
    After going through the tenth page of apartment listings on the hospital’s computer, I wanted to tear my hair out. There was nothing suitable within my budget, and what I could afford was hours away from the hospital and in undesirable locations. What didn’t help my fruitless apartment hunting on this already stressful day was that Todd wouldn’t stop texting me.
    He’d changed his threatening tone, and was now trying to convince me he was still in love with me and wanted me back. At various times throughout the day, he’d send a text saying, you’re beautiful, you’re amazing, or I want you.
    I hated the little thrill I got whenever he complimented me. But after so many years of his criticism, I couldn’t deny that it felt good. After looking at the prospects I’d have if I stayed on my own, I started to entertain the idea of going back to him. This was the first time I’d left, and maybe he’d actually learned a lesson.