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“Yay!” The girls jumped up and down

“You want to come with us?” Levi asked Jeremy, whose face had flushed Which was perfectly reasonable, Max reminded himself

“No, I should stay and help”

This was the part where Max should have told hiet the words out Because he was an asshole

“Sorry we stayed too long,” Levi said to Max, offering his hand “Good to see you again”

Max cringed inwardly “No, it’s cool You can stay as long as you want” He shook Levi’s hand

“Burgers and fries!” One of the nieces exclaimed, and Levi ushered them out At the door, he said, “Later, Jeremy” And winked Because he was the worst even if he seely nice and reasonable

Max unclenched The guy was gone Now he’d tell Jere at him His stomach clenched

“That was so rude!” Jerear house Shaking his head, he squeezed through the group, disappearing outside

“Wait!” Max asked Valerie to take over and dashed out, speed-walking across the lot so he didn’t draw attention Jere, Max followed hi up the stairs, taking the around the corner

No doubt about it He wanted Jere down the hill The snowball was a da it

Chapter Eleven

Jere solid flesh instead It was Max, and he crowded him inside and shut the door behind the them on the counter He still wore his coat

“Look—”

“No, you look!” Jere Levi had only been trying to help hiuy, and you were totally rude”

“I was just—” Max huffed “Rude Yes” He held up his hands and let them drop “I’m an asshole I’m sorry”

Jeremy wasn’t sure what to say “That’s it?” After the call with hisdefensive justifications and lashing out