Sixteen.

Max's POV

I'm completely frozen in my tracks, unable to move a muscle in my body as shock over takes me. I stand there for who knows how long, not really being able to think a coherent thought. Eventually, Jodi and Jordan walk into the room, but they don't approach me. Instead, they both stand at the table in the dining room with concerned looks on their faces, probably too afraid to enter the kitchen in fear that I might break out into hysterics, and with them snapping me out of my trance I decide that that might just happen.

But instead, I do what I always do when I'm nervous; I pace. I practically make laps around their kitchen as they both continue to watch me. It's almost as if every time one of my feet touches the ground, a different question pops into my head. Why hasn't she told me? Did she know when she left? Is it why she left? Why couldn't she give me a chance? How the hell did this happen? I stop and laugh at myself as the last question crosses my mind.. I know full well how it happened, and I also remember it being amazing and unforgettable, but never in my right mind did I think I'd be describing it as life-altering. And that's what it turned out to be, in more ways than one.

I finally stop pacing, but I don't look over in Jordan and Jodi's direction, because I know they think I'm acting crazy right now. I stand by the counter in front of me, reaching my arms out and bracing them against it, locking them in place while I bend down a little, and squeeze my eyes shut before letting out a long exasperated sigh.

"She's sure it's mine?" I ask calmly, keeping my eyes locked on the tile floor below me. It's a cruel thing to do; to insinuate that she's been whoring around, but it's just one of those questions I have to ask, just to be sure. After all, she left me. How am I suppose to know it wasn't for another man?

"She's positive," Jodi replies in an even, quiet tone. I literally feel as if I've just been slapped in the face. Needing to get out of this room, I clear my throat before making a bee line to the door. "Where are you going?" Jodi asks, fear clear in her facial expression as she watches me walk past her. I don't respond, but partially because I don't know the answer to that question myself, so I don't know how to explain to her, so instead I walk straight to the door. I hear the two of them discussing something, but it's all just murmurs to me, almost like an incessant buzz that won't go away, but you don't quite understand either.

It's not until I've made it to the grass of their front lawn that I realize Jordan is following me. He's calling after me, but I just head straight to my car. I reach my front door and climb in, jamming the key into the ignition and turning it over, listening to the roar of the car underneath me. I'm about to take off, but Jordan slips into the passenger seat, and it's then that I curse myself for not locking the door.

"Jordan, get out of the car," I reply in a forceful tone, not bothering to look over in his direction, but instead focus on the way my knuckles are turning white from the death grip I have on the steering wheel.

"Do you think I want to be here? Shit," he mumbles under his breath. "Jodi told me not to let you do something completely stupid or irrational, that's the only reason I'm here." Under normal circumstances, I'd get a kick out of just how whipped little Jordie has become, but I can't even crack jokes at this point. Giving my head a shake, I throw the car into reverse and back out onto the quaint side road, not feeling any more relieved until we're on the highway. "You know, you're really living up to the nickname Mad Max right now," Jordan adds while shaking his head, but saying nothing more as we drive in silence for the rest of the way.

After finally not recognizing where we are anymore, I pull off the road and over to a resting area where I once again start pacing. I needed to get away, and what better way is there to do that then to technically and realistically not know where the hell you are? Jordan opens the passenger side door, turning his legs and resting them on the ground in front of him but remains sitting, his hands clasped together as his head rests on them as he watches me.

"Wanna talk through it?" he finally offers.

"Was she ever planning on telling me?" I spat out, raising my arms before continuing to pace.

"I don't know man, you-"

"If she was scared of how I was going to react, I think I'm taking this rather well," I interrupt, once again using my hands to help describe how I'm feeling. "I mean, wouldn't you feel like all of your independence just flew out the drain if you were in my position?"

"It's hard to say, I think-"

"I mean really, I'm trying to stay open minded about this all.." I say while scratching my head.

"Max," Jordan murmurs quietly.

"I mean this is a lot of responsibility," I continue, ignoring him completely.

"Max," Jordan says again, but not quite getting my full attention.

"I don't think I'd be good in a family setting," I add before starting to pace again.

"MAX!" Jordan yells at me, and I finally whip my head in his direction with a 'what the hell?' look on my face, but this is the most serious I've ever seen the easy going big man before. "Shut the fuck up," he continues, catching me completely off guard, but grabbing my attention nonetheless. "Do you love her?"

I shake my head, not really knowing where he's going with this. "What?"

"Do you love her," he reiterates while distinctively saying each word. I look at the ground in front of me, but when my eyes finally look up and into his baby blues, a shit eating grin crosses his face. "Get in the car," he says while getting out and heading over to the drives seat. I stand motionless, not really knowing what he's up to now either. He rests his arm on the now open driver seat door and continues to stare at me. "Max, get in the damn car."

Something about the tone in his voice has me jumping to his command, but it's not until we pull back onto the highway that I speak up.

"Where are we going?"

"To find out exactly where your lady is hiding," he says with a small chuckle, almost as if I had just asked the stupidest question ever. I sit back in my seat, feeling content for the moment, at least.