To the Max Read Online Free PDF

July seventh. Every morning at eight o’clock sharp, they let six bulls loose in the city. You run in front of them and try to reach the bullring before getting overrun by them. Or horned. Or crushed under a mountain of guys when someone falls. Plain old fun. My dad did it. My bros too. In my family, being chased by bulls is a rite of passage.”
    Her shoulders shook with laughter.
    “Of course, after the encierro —that’s what running with the bulls is called—everyone spends the day partying and drinking. The night too. Imagine how difficult it is to run next day at eight. Damn complicated to pinpoint six angry bulls chasing you when you’re seeing twelve.”
    Annie was now giggling wholeheartedly. He loved to make her laugh.
    He watched her. She was very pretty, in an understated sort of way. Brown hair, huge hazel eyes. Killer lips. She never wore flashy clothes and wasn’t big on makeup. Nor did she put her boobs out there for everyone to gawk at, like most of the girls he hooked up with. Nevertheless, once you looked at her face and she granted you one of her sweet smiles, you did notice her. Big-time.
    “You’re kidding me,” she got out between gasps.
    “Nope. By the end of the week, if you haven’t been hospitalized from alcohol poisoning or lost your balls from a goring, you’re a man.”
    Of course, it wasn’t like that. The people who came to Pamplona to drink and party saw the encierros from behind protective fences or from the local bar. And one of the strict rules for running was not to be under the influence, but making Annie laugh was worth a few exaggerations.
    “Somehow I don’t see Cole doing something that crazy.”
    “Well,” he conceded, “I heard Cole ran once and then went to the city committee with a list of security concerns and how they should implement changes. I believe the city authorities declared him persona non grata permanently. All Bowen men travel to Pamplona when they’re of age. I’ve already gone several times.” Annie looked at him questioningly, and he shrugged. “What? I might have issues about becoming a man.”
    “You’re nuts,” she concluded when she got her giggles under control.
    Max grinned. “I keep busy. Anyhow, I’ll be away two months all in all. More than time enough for your morning-afternoon-evening sickness to go away.”
    “It’s very nice of you, but I couldn’t—”
    “Sure you could. You’d have the place all to yourself.”
    She was shaking her head, her smile apologetic. “Really, thank you very much, but—”
    “Besides, I need someone to look after my pets.”
    She stopped shaking her head. “You have pets?”
    “Yep.”
    He didn’t elaborate, and she cringed. “What kind?”
    “The fun kind, of course.”
    She didn’t seem that convinced. “I don’t do well with reptiles, Max. Or bugs. As a matter of fact, I don’t do well with fish either. I think they’re creepy. The way they look at you and open their mouth hypnotically. It feels like they know something we don’t and the ones inside the bowl are us.”
    Max laughed. Jeez, Annie was funny. He wasn’t sure why he’d offered her his house. The thought just formed in his head, and once it was there, he hadn’t wanted to let it go.
    “No reptiles. You’ll love Tango and Cash. And you’d be doing me a huge favor.”
    “I’m terrible with animals. Can’t you leave them with your aunt?”
    “Nope. Last time I did, her cat upset them.”
    “And your brother?”
    “Cole isn’t too crazy about them.”
    “A neighbor?” she fumbled desperately.
    Max snorted. “Excuse me. Have you met my neighbor Wilma, Original Grandma extraordinaire?”
    He wiggled his brows and she laughed at his antics. “True.”
    “So you see, I do need you to stay at my place and watch Tango and Cash,” he lied. He could actually leave his pets with any number of people, all of whom would be happy to have them or to stop by and keep an eye on them. But Annie struck him as the