Page 94 of Ruined By Protection
I watch Matteo walk away, his shoulders rigid with tension. My heart aches but I know I made the right decision. I can't get involved with someone else right now, especially not someone like Matteo. Not when I'm still trying to escape Elliott.
"Well, that looked intense."
I spin around to find Evelyn standing in the French door to the garden. She's wrapped in an oversized cardigan, her darkhair pulled back in a messy bun. There's a bruise forming on her cheekbone from Elliott's attack.
"How long have you been standing there?" I ask.
"Just caught the end." She steps into the room, closing the door behind her. "You okay?"
I sink onto one of the sofas, suddenly exhausted. "Not really."
Evelyn sits beside me, tucking her feet underneath her. The moonlight streaming through the windows catches on her face, highlighting the worry in her eyes.
"What's going on with you and Matteo?" she asks softly. "And don't you dare say nothing."
I stare down at my hands, at the wildflower tattoo on my wrist that I got to remind myself to be brave. Right now, I don't feel brave at all.
"It's complicated," I say finally.
"Most things worth talking about are." She nudges my knee gently. "Come on, Hazel. We used to tell each other everything."
The concern in her voice breaks something loose inside me. Before I know it words are spilling out.
"I met him once before," I admit.
Evelyn's eyes widen. "What? When?"
"He came into The Remington one night. Three years ago in Austin. We... connected." My cheeks flush at the memory. "I spent the night with him."
"Wait, you slept with Matteo Caruso three years ago?" Evelyn's voice rises in disbelief. "And you never told me?"
"It was a one-night thing. He was just passing through." I twist my fingers together. "I left before he woke up."
"Oh."
I nod. "He pretended he didn’t recognise me at first. Said he needed to make sure I wasn't using you to get to the family."
Evelyn lets out a low whistle. "That's... wow. And now?"
"Now everything's a mess." I press my palms against my eyes. "We slept together again last night."
"You what?" Evelyn nearly shouts, then lowers her voice. "Hazel, you're still handling a messed up relationship."
"I know." My voice cracks. "That's why I told Matteo it was a mistake. That we can't happen."
"But that's not all, is it?" Evelyn's always been able to read me too well.
I hesitate, then pull out my phone and show her the photo. "I got this today."
Evelyn takes the phone, studying the image of Matteo with the redhead. "When was this taken?"
"This morning. Right after he left my bed." The bitter taste in my mouth is agony.
She hands the phone back, her expression thoughtful. "And you're sure it's from this morning?"
"The timestamp says so."
"Timestamps can be faked, Hazel."
