Page 48 of Finding Chloe

My eyes burned as tears clouded my vision. What had just been the best time of my life was now the worst. Scrambling for my clothes, I haphazardly threw them on and followed Matt out the door.

“Matt,” I called after his retreating form.

“I can’t right now, Chloe.” He didn’t slow down.

I quickened my pace to close the distance.

“Please. Don’t go. Let’s talk,” I pleaded. Matt’s steps faltered, and he stopped. When he turned to me, my heart nearly broke. His face was pinched, and his eyes were distant.

I took a step toward him, and he held up his hand.

“I need time,” he said before turning and walking away. I wanted to follow, but I couldn’t risk hurting him more.

When Matt disappeared behind the barn, I felt the air shift. Kyle and Hunter came up beside me, and we stood there in silence for a moment before Hunter shifted to block my view.

“Give him some space, kitten. This is newer to him than for Kyle and me.” Hunter grabbed my chin between his fingers, tilting my face.

“I know, but it still hurts,” I sighed.

“Come on. Let’s get you to bed. Tomorrow is a new day. He’ll have cooled off, and we can find him.” Hunter and Kyle walked me to my room. As much as I wanted to stay in their room, the bunkhouse really wasn’t suitable for our situation. Instead, Hunter and Kyle helped me shower, then we slipped into my bed. They kept my thoughts occupied for the rest of the night.

MATT

The sound of the music playing from the jukebox in the corner of the Cotton Jin competed with the ringing in my ears. When I first walked out of the bunkhouse, I didn’t know where to go. I couldn’t go to my room; it reminded me too much of Chloe. So I got in my truck and started driving. It wasn’t until I pulled into the parking lot of the Cotton Jin that I let myself think about what had just happened. It felt like I’d been hit by a ton of bricks.

I’d been suspicious going to the bunkhouse with them. Hunter liked to play his games, and I had a fair assumption things would somehow get sexual. I didn’t think I’d be able to think about studying again without picturing what we’d done. Chloe was the center of everything, and it surprised me how her pleasure surpassed the jealousy I thought would surge forth at having the two other guys be there while we had sex.

I hadn’t expected I’d go along with it or let it get that far or that I’d actuallyenjoyit as much as I did.

I saw the way Kyle opened up to Chloe. His feelings were written all over his face. He worshipped her, and I had no doubt he was falling for her. Who could blame him? Chloe was incredible. She took on the three of us without blinking an eye.Even though we were all there, she made sure to show us each special attention, connected with us individually. It wasn’t what I thought it would be.

I never wanted to have a Cosland relationship because I felt like I’d be fighting for attention, but that wasn’t the case. But it didn’t change the fact that I didn’t want to share my woman. My chest ached at the thought of Chloe with another man. In the moment, I was able to put those thoughts aside, but now they were eating me alive.

She was supposed to be mine. I was the one who had her first. I was the one who was in love with her.

Wait.What?

I put my face in my hands to stop the room from spinning, and it wasn’t entirely from the alcohol. My feelings were crashing down on me like that ton of bricks.

I was in love with Chloe.

“Matt, are you okay, buddy? You look like you’re going to be sick.”

My head shot up when I heard Declan’s voice. What was he doing in town?

I swallowed the bile creeping up my throat. “I’m good. Are you here to join the party? Come, sit, have a drink with me.” I patted the stool next to me, nearly toppling off mine in the process.

“I think you’ve had one too many.” Declan eyed Oliver standing behind the bar, wiping down the bar top.

“Now you see why I called you.” He shook his head and continued down the bar.

“Oliver didn’t want you driving.”

“I’m fine.” I took another sip and my brow furrowed. Damn Oliver. He switched my drink out for water.

Declan sat next to me and frowned. “This isn’t like you. Want to tell me what’s going on?”

I turned away from his intense stare. It was like he could see right into my very soul.

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