CHAPTER NINETEEN

After the laughter died down, the man said, "Sure thing, Gorgeous. I'll send Clay over now. Text me your address." Jayde relaxed instantly and thought to herself, at least she knew she wasn't talking to Clay right now. She should really save their numbers so she knew which one she was talking with.

Jayde thanked the man before hanging up and looking at Max peacefully sleeping still. "What have you done to me? I don't think I've ever cared to help someone like this... But, you've also done a lot for me... So thank you, Max," she leaned down, placing a soft kiss to his eyebrow.

"Now let's get you to the bath," she whispered as she draped an arm over her shoulders and braced herself for the dead weight she was about to carry alone. Again.

Pulling Max up, Jayde began her short, yet long, journey to the bathroom. Before she could exit the living room, there was a soft knock at the door. She looked at Max and rolled her eyes. No way in hell was she walking him all the way across the room to answer that.

She adjusted the grip on his waist before calling out, "It's open! If it's Clay, anyways. Otherwise, no Avon!" There was a husky laugh as the door opened.

A tall man with red hair entered the room. His face was covered in freckles. "'No Avon', huh? Haha. I'm Phil. The others will be up shortly." He looked at the passed out Max that was leaning on Jayde and cocked an eyebrow. "Wow... You did a number on him."

Jayde adjusted her grip again and laughed nervously. "I'll be right back. I'm trying to get him in the tub. Give me a second, please," she began moving Max's dead weight again. Phil watched the woman curiously as she struggled with his friend. He wondered why she didn't ask him for assistance. It wouldn't be the first time Phil had to carry a passed out Max.

Unable to watch her struggling any longer, Phil rolled his eyes and rushed over, wrapping Max's other arm around his neck and taking most of the weight off of Jayde. Jayde looked over at him. Her expression said it all. She appreciated the help, so why didn't she ask him to begin with?

Phil and Jayde got him to the bathroom and sat Max on the toilet. "Could you hold him right there for me," Jayde asked as she rushed to the sink, grabbing the toothbrush and applying a blob of toothpaste to it. Phil watched as she filled a cup with water and came back to them, the toothbrush and cup of water in hand. "He's not going to like this," she mumbled, not just to herself.

Phil laughed as he watched her stick the brush in Max's mouth, cautiously. As Jayde began brushing his teeth, she turned her head away with disgust evident on her face. Did she find this act disgusting or his breath? Phil stifled a laugh, not wanting to interrupt her.

He secretly admired her care of his friend, though. This is a good woman. Phil looked at the passed out drunkard and rolled his eyes. "Lucky bastard," he whispered low enough that Jayde couldn't hear him.

Jayde finished and decided it would be best to wake Max up to rinse. She knelt in front of him and slapped his face lightly. "Max. Max, wake up. You need to rinse for me. Max!" She began shaking his shoulders vigorously until Max stirred.

His eyes fluttered open and a smile quickly spread across his face. "My little dove," he attempted with a mouth full of toothpaste. Jayde laughed and handed him the cup of water.

"Come, now. Let's rinse your mouth. Can you walk to the sink?" Jayde offered her arm to him as he stumbled to stand. As they began walking, Jayde realized Phil had disappeared. She assumed he went to let the others in.

Once Max finished rinsing the foam from his mouth, he turned and smiled at Jayde. She shook her head and giggled. "Alright. Bath time," she pulled his shirt over his head and let it fall to the floor but allowed him to remove the rest of his clothing as she checked the temperature of the bath water. It was still warm, which was perfect.

Max slipped into the water and leaned back, looking relaxed and comfortable. Jayde tossed the loofah at him and said, "Wash up, Love. I'll be right back. And, no falling asleep!" She rushed out to greet the others.

They made themselves at home, which made her relax a bit more. "Hi, guys! I'm so sorry for making you wait and calling you this late in the evening. Thank you for coming. Did you bring clothes for Max?" They all stood and smiled at her with an expression that was hard to read and also creeped her out a little.

"Hey! I'm Jon," the shortest of the men offered a hand. "Thanks for taking such good care of him." Jayde shook his hand and smiled at him professionally.

The next in line also offered a hand but she already knew he was Phil. They kind of met already. Jayde laughed and shook his hand anyways. "Thank you, Phil," she said to him as they released hands.

The last one didn't offer his hand, but his face said it all. He was not amused by this situation or happy to be here. Jayde quickly looked at the floor, ready to be scolded by the man that could be none other than Clay.

"So," his cold voice sent shivers up her spine. "What's this I hear you don't like Avon?" Everyone burst into laughter, surprising Jayde. She looked up to meet his gaze. Clay quickly pulled her into his arms for a hug. "We're all family here. No need to be scared, girly."

Jayde felt herself instantly relax. Thank God! She wasn't sure how well this meeting would go but she was relieved it went this pleasantly. They sat in the living room, talking and laughing for a while before Max appeared.

"Dove," his voice came from behind them. Everyone turned to see a dripping, bubble covered, naked Max. Laughter echoed through the room. Jayde quickly composed herself and rushed to him.

"Sweets, you should have called for me. There's a towel on the bathroom counter for you. Come, come," she ushered him into the bathroom again while looking over her shoulder and mouthing 'sorry' to the guys.