Page 14 of Say Uncle

“Don’t push me, Mattie. I don’t think that’s what your parents had in mind.”

“Neither do I,” he laughed.

“You’ve always got this chip on your shoulder, always looking backward. That’s no way to live.”

He pulled free of my grasp, crossing his arms over his bare chest. “And why do you think I carry such a big chip? Where do you think the anger comes from?”

“I don’t know, you tell me.”

Mattie scoffed. “Thought you had all the answers.”

“I might have a couple of guesses, but it’s pointless if you don’t come to the realization yourself.”

He tried to turn away, but I latched on again, holding him in place.

“Don’t touch me!” His eyes burned with ire, his breathing harsh.

“Just drop your fucking attitude! It’s okay for that guy to touch you, but not me?”

“Is that what you want, then? Do you want to touch me? Go ahead and touch me.”

I was beginning to understand. He wanted me to make the first move, to spell it out for him so he didn’t have to say it aloud. Not a fucking chance.

“Is that what you want, Mattie? ‘Cause I’m sure that guy is still available.”

He made a noise, like a plea, but it fell on deaf ears. Mattie took a step closer, his gaze dropping to my lips. The little brat was going to try to kiss me? Fuck no. I took a step backward, letting him chase me.

“Sam, I amdyingto touch you.” Another step backward. He closed the distance. “What about you?”

“Oh, now you want me to touch you? I’m so angry at you that you may not like the way I touch you.”

“Try me.” His breath was husky, and he licked his bottom lip, making my dick take notice.

“You know what I think? I think you’re just confused.”

“About what?”

“About what the fuck you want. You see other people having a good time and you want it. You know you do, but you just won’t let yourself have it. Why is that? What are you so afraid of?”

“Not you,” he sulked.

“No?” Taking his chin between my fingers, I slid my thumb across his wet bottom lip, making them part for me. His response was immediate, and I could read the heat in his eyes. “That doesn’t scare you?” His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “I think you’re angry because you know exactly what you want, but you’re afraid to ask for it.”

“Who says?”

“Prove it,” I dared. “Ask me.”

“You’re my fucking uncle.” He pushed me away.

The little fucking brat chickened out. “Oh,nowI’myour uncle. How convenient.” Mattie backed away before spinning around. “You look like a scared little boy running from a fight.”

He turned around, spitting mad and breathing fire. “I’m not afraid to fight you!”

“Not me, Mattie. You’re not fighting me. You’re fighting against yourself. It’s ironic,” I laughed. “You sit in judgment of Nicky, pretend like you don’t understand him or like him, but really, you’re just envious.”

“Of him? How?”

“Because he may be this tiny little boy, but he’s so brave and strong, and he’s not afraid to ask for what he wants. He was never afraid to ask for what he wanted.” His eyes filled with tears, which caught me off guard. I gentled my tone. “Who knows, if you spent more time with him, you might learn a thing or two.”

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