Page 104 of My Undead Heart

“I’m outside. Let me in,” I demand, not even a little bit nice. I’m tired from this entire night. From going to his fight and getting the brush off, to hanging out at the party without him. He ruined my favorite night of the year.

“What do you—” His voice stops short and that’s when I see his cell, a bright flashlight from inside the gym. He ends the call and comes over to unlock the doors. “Mia, what are you—”

“Why? Why would you just bail? Why did you move and not tell me?”

“Come inside. It’s cold,” he says, glancing up and down the street. I know I’m causing a scene but there’s no one out here to notice. “Mia, please come in.”

I consider staying outside just to spite him, but it’s the cold and the please that move my feet forward. I walk inside and wait for him to lock the door. Once it’s secure he stalks further into the building away from me. I’m guessing his intent is for me to follow but I’m still really pissed.

“Matt, what the hell?” I throw up my hands.

He stops and turns before he reaches the light switch. His brow furrows as I come near. “Mia, it’s almost three in the morning. Can we just sleep and talk in the morning?”

“Sleep? Where? Is this where you’re staying?”

He shrugs and drops his gaze. “For now. Kinda. I’ve been at your place most nights.”

“And what? You just don’t have an apartment? You didn’t think that’s something I’d like to know?” I’m sputtering but I don’t know how else to feel than totally betrayed.

“No.” His voice is a roar that carries throughout the empty space. “No, Mia, I didn’t think to mention I’m homeless. Because it’s fucking pathetic. You happy now?” His words lash out and I draw back with a step.

“Matt, I—”

“No. You know what?” He takes a step closer and points his finger in my face, “You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to come here and shit on my life. I’ve had enough of that for one night.”

“What are you fucking talking about? I shit on your night? Hello! I was the one who came to your fight ... like I promised. You’re the one who left me. Stood me up at the party.”

He scoffs and shakes his head. “Oh, come on. I’m sure you were fine. You were with your friends, just where you wanted to be. Remember? Them over me.”

He throws my own words in my face and it doesn’t feel good. “That’s not fair.”

“No, but it’s what you said. I get it, Mia. I do. Honestly, it’s cool. I’ve always come second best, anyway.” He shakes his head.

“Right, ’cause you’re the underdog?” I raise my chin with challenge. He wants to lay it all out, let’s do this.

His eyes, harsh and accusing, glare into mine. “What do you want me to say? Why did you even come here?”

Straightening my spine, I prepare for another kind of battle. “I came here for some answers. We’ve been fucking for weeks and I don’t even know who you are!”

“You don’t ...” Jaw locked and lips tight, he tilts his head. “Really, Mia? If that’s how you feel, then I’m out.” He turns and walks towards his office.

“I knew you would be out from the beginning!” The words taste as sour as they feel.

He spins and stalks back toward me. “I don’t have time for this shit. I have real problems. Something you’d know nothing about. This was all just a game anyway, right?” His stare sinks into mine, a standoff, a battle of truth against lie, but as much as I began to hope for more, he’s correct.

“That’s right, Matt. This was a bet. You’re a fucking bet. The one thing you swore you never did.” His eyes narrow with each accusation. I should leave. I should shut up, but he deserves to hurt the way I do. “But looks like you couldn’t make it through to the end, could you? I knew you wouldn’t last four dates.”

“Goddamn it, Mia!” he roars and his fist punches along with his anger. I flinch as his knuckles come in contact with the wall behind me, a Matt sized hole now in the drywall. His anger. His rage. It’s exactly what a younger Mia would have tolerated, but I have no desire to walk that path again.

I stumble backwards and can’t get away fast enough. “Don’t call me. Don’t come see me. We’re over. All of it.” My voice is eerily calm for the unease running through my body and mind.

Matt holds his fist in his other hand and winces. “Mia, I’m sorry. I—”

“Don’t.” I warn and my back hits the front door.

His eyes fall to the floor with his breath. They lift again and I can hardly stand to meet his gaze, it’s so full of hurt. “At least let me take you home.”

I shake my head and glance away long enough to unlock the door. “No. I’ll find my own ride.” My fingers wrap around the cold metal of the handle and I tug it open.

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