Page 35 of Mine to Keep

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Matt

I didn’t feellike going home, so I stopped at Belle’s Beanery for something sweet. I didn’t indulge often, but I’d convinced myself it would make me feel better. There I was, thirty minutes after I’d finished my chocolate coconut-cluster brownie and half of my mocha cocoa chai, still feeling like a mess.

“Hey, Matt, are you okay?”

I lifted my head to see Beth showing an expression of deep concern.

“Yeah, sorry, did you need the table?”

She dismissed my worry with a wave and sat down across from me. “You’re fine, you just look so sad. Can I do anything?”

“Can you make me three hours younger?” I chuckled.

She tilted her head. “You got bad news or something?”

“Or something.”

She reached out and patted my hand that clutched my chai. “I can’t guarantee I’ll know the answers, but I do have a great ear for listening.”

I glanced at the counter, where one of the other baristas was helping a customer. “Don’t you have to work?”

“I’m on break.”

I took a sip and peered up at Beth. I knew she had a crush on me, and I didn’t want to encourage that. I tried to keep it customer-barista friendly. Plus I couldn’t tell her what had upset me.

“I’ll be fine. I’m going to go home, veg out, maybe call Darnell or Mika to chill. I’ll be okay.”

For the briefest of seconds, I swore I saw a flash of anger, but when I blinked she beamed. “Sounds like how I would get through it too. Here…” She pulled out a slip of paper, wrote something on it, and slid it toward me. “My number. If you find yourself needing to talk and your friends aren’t around.” I wouldn’t use it, but I took it all the same.

“Thanks, Beth.”

“No problem, Matt.” She stared at me for a moment, then stood. “I’m going to get back to work.”

I finished my drink and headed out. I wasn’t actually going to call my friends—I’d rather be alone because both Darnell and Mika would press me to tell them why I was upset. I planned to keep my promise and not tell a soul. Unfortunately, that promise made me feel very isolated.

The drive to my building was quick. Most people were still at work, so there wasn’t any traffic. I checked my mail and took the elevator up. As soon as the doors opened, Nicole and James were there, about to enter.

“Oh, excuse us.” James grinned. “Home early?”

“Yeah, only one client today.” I peered down to their luggage. “Taking a trip?”

“We are.” Nicole patted her carry on. “Since we haven’t been able to go to the lake, we decided to make it an extended weekend.”

It was Wednesday, so they’d be gone for a few days, and that would mean I wouldn’t have to worry about their nosiness for a bit.

“Sounds like a great idea. Have a wonderful time.” I slipped between them and made my way to my door.

“Oh, Matt.”

I turned and James approached. “Someone came by today, knocked on your door. They were persistent and loud, so I told them you were at work. They were upset. I asked their name, but they just stormed off.”

“Oh…okay, thanks for letting me know.”

He nodded, and I watched as the two of them got onto the elevator. I had my phone on silent and hadn’t turned it on since leaving the Saints’ house, so I hadn’t been alerted to anyone by my Ring app.

Once inside, I dropped my bag and plopped onto my couch. I kicked off my shoes and took my phone out. I had a few text messages. One was from JJ saying he hoped I’d come back. Another from Darnell wondering if I wanted to hang out Friday, just the two of us, and I wasn’t sure about that. The last was my doctor confirming my appointment for my yearly physical. I’d likely reschedule that. Too much was going on.

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