Page 24 of The Love of Secrets

Cecilia

Three months later

“Hey, Ricky, I’m going to head home.” I pack up my purse. The bar was really dead tonight, so Ricky was willing to let me go early. Since I’d decided to finish my degree online, I was having to get up in the morning to do classwork before Oliver was up and about...

It took me a while to decide what I wanted to do. But Mateo was there every step of the way, helping me realize I wanted to become a teacher. It was something I was contemplating before I got pregnant, and it felt right.

“Sounds good, Cecilia. See you tomorrow,” he yells back as I walk out of the bar.

Life in Rose Valley has been a blessing. Meeting Mateo and everyone here is the best thing that could have happened to me and Oliver. Back home, I only used to have Bear. Even those visits were sporadic since Michael insisted, I stay away from him considering his involvement with his motorcycle club, the Wild Hellions.

Speak of the devil, I look down at my phone vibrating in my hand.

“Hi, Bear.”

Since moving here, we’ve kept in touch more. When he first found me here, he’d stayed for a few weeks but had to get back to Texas, assuring me we will visit each other more often.

“Hey, Bug. How are things for you?”

“It’s good. I just got off work.”

“Good. Listen, I’m going to come visit next month, and I’ll have some papers for you to sign.”

I freeze mid-step. “What papers are these?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m handling everything, but it’s a good thing.”

“Well, that’s not cryptic at all,” I say sarcastically.

“Well, I gotta go, Bug. I wanted to let you know that I’m coming soon.”

“Sounds good, Bear. Talk soon.”

“Talk soon.” The line clicks dead. Before I can chuck my phone back in my purse, it vibrates again.

Mateo: Come to my house when you get off work.

That’s weird. I wonder why I’m going to his house, especially considering it’s this late at night. Usually on nights I’m working, he stays with me at my apartment. I try to call him to see if I can get any answers, but it goes straight to voicemail. Getting in my car, I contemplate if I should go over to Mateo’s or just go home. I mean, I’m tired and I have class in the morning.

My phone vibrates again.

Mateo: Pretty Girl, you better listen and come over. You won’t regret it.

I guess I’m going over to Mateo’s.

Me: I’ll be there in ten.

Feeling satisfied with the response, I put my phone down in the cup holder. I couldn’t help but wonder what Mateo is up to. A smile graces my face because no matter what, it’s time to go home and see my men.

When I’m working and Mateo isn’t at the gym, he always offers to watch Oliver for me. Even when I’m not working, we always do things we can include him in. Well, at least most of the time. Watching them spend time together and building a relationship warms my heart.

I pull into the driveway of Mateo’s house and all the lights are off except for one soft glow in the living room. I cautiously get out and walk up the driveway. Opening the front door, a gasp leaves me.

The room is full of candles and flowers everywhere, and in the middle of it all is the man I love, standing there looking delicious in basketball shorts and no shirt. His hand is out with an object sitting in the middle of his palm. I take a step closer to check it out.

“Move in with me.” He thrusts the silver object to me, and I see that it’s a key.

“You’re not going to ask me?” I tease.

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