Page 79 of Pretend for Me

Matthew stripped free of his clothes, needing a little help from me to get his shirt over his head. I told him he should wear button downs but he wanted comfort.

I lightly pushed him back on the bed, straddling him as I kissed his chest, around his wound area, and all the way down to his rock-hard dick.

When I enveloped him into my mouth, he let out a guttural moan. “I could get used to this.” Matthew smirked, leaning up to watch as I pleasured him before flopping back onto the bed, steadying his breathing. “Nurse Cassie, I love your bedside manner. That’s it, baby,” he said as his hand guided the back of my head.

I resisted the urge to hit him for the bad joke. I’d get him back for that, I vowed, smiling as I took him deeper down my throat, because we had time. Forever in fact.

42

MATTHEW

“You know it’s like Fort Knox getting up here now, man,” Holden complained, carrying bags and bags of food. The building management company had fired Louisa since she had continued to fail to do her duties, choosing instead to make out with the janitor, which was how Derek had been able to get up to the apartment without being announced.

Since the shooting, my apartment had been a revolving door of visitors. Between Audrey, Holden, Bridget, Joy, Parker, and even Henry adding himself in the mix, there was always someone there checking on me or just hanging out.

Cassie had made it clear to anyone that asked that Charlie wasn’t welcome, hoping they’d pass the message along, that she was forbidden from stepping foot into the apartment.

I had finally FaceTimed Charlie after many missed calls and texts from the girl. Bridget nagged me into hearing what she had to say, much to Cassie’s dismay. We spoke for almost two hours. I told Charlotte how betrayed I felt by her. I’d always tried to make her a part of my life.

Charlie expressed her grievances on feeling abandoned by not only me but everyone, and she also confessed some of her abuse to me.

I couldn’t believe I hadn’t known what their foster father did to her, but Cassie and I were in our own little bubble back then. Plus we were kids ourselves. I had mixed feelings about her confessions because I was also angry that she had been jealous over me reuniting with Cassie. At the same time, I could see how truly remorseful and guilty she felt. I was at a loss on how to handle the situation. I respected Cassie’s position, but if I turned my back on Charlie, it would just prove her right about what had led her to act the way she did in the first place.

Bridget said Charlotte’s sins were eating at her. She’d explained to me how Charlie had lost weight, her cheeks sunken in, and she wasn’t sleeping, dark circles beneath her eyes. She was withering away. Becoming a shell of the silly, vibrant girl who I’d once known.

I knew I had to find a way to forgive her because Cassie certainly wasn’t going to come around anytime soon.

I also was happy to find out she was working with the police. With Charlie’s confession and footage from the surveillance cameras in the lobby and the elevator, the authorities were able to apprehend Derek and bring him into custody.

Now Derek and Charlie were waiting for their punishment to be doled out. While Charlie had been cooperating, she wasn’t likely to get off scot-free. That didn’t stop Bridget from paying for a fancy, hot shot attorney to represent her. Bridget was very protective over Charlotte, almost motherly. It was strange seeing her act so softly.

“What’s with all the food? Are we having a party I didn’t know about?” I asked, puzzled with all the bags Holden was dragging into the kitchen.

“No, but we have some news that needs celebrating,” Bridget bragged, her heels clacking against the floor. “Henry and Audrey are on their way up too.”

Cassie and I exchanged a look. “What news?” Cassie inquired tersely.

She wasn’t too pleased with Bridget getting so chummy with Charlie. It felt like a betrayal even though Bridget insisted she wasn’t condoning what Charlotte did. She just felt obligated to help the lost teen girl.

As soon as the elevator dinged, announcing Audrey and Henry’s arrival, the reason behind the impromptu gathering was revealed. “We’re married!” Holden and Bridget gushed, simultaneously.

My jaw went slack and Cassie was so taken aback, she almost stumbled before I grabbed her elbow.

“What?” I asked, laughing in disbelief.

There had been no talk of their wedding since the shooting. Surely if they had gotten married, the best man would have been there.

“Yeah, man, we decided that life is too short and that either one of us can be lying half dead in a hospital bed at any time, and we don’t want to lie about our status like you, missy!” Holden shook his finger at Cassie, who hung her head.

“La la la, I’m not hearing any of this. I’m not interested in being fined for a privacy breach, guys,” Henry whined, holding a flower arrangement. Audrey was hot on his tail, carrying a half-opened cake box.

“Sorry, Henry,” Cassie said, ashamed, peeking up at him through her bangs.

Henry winked. “It’s okay, dear. I'm sure if the situation were reversed, I’d do the same.” He looked at Audrey, lovingly.

“Congratulations!” I embraced Holden and then gave a half hug to Bridget. We were never going to be the best of friends, butshe made my friend happy so I would do my part to try to get along.

“Congrats!” Cassie chimed in, hugging them both.

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