Page 58 of One Day Like This (Excess All Areas 1)

“Holy shit.”

“Yeah. And that’s just downloads. Add in streaming and all the other stuff. We might even hit a hundred grand if this keeps up. My head’s too much of a mess for all this.” He flicked around a few more places, each time becoming more and more excited. “Jesus Christ. You know, I always hoped we’d take off, but now it looks like it might be a possibility, I don’t actually know what to do next.”

“I think you celebrate. I think you and the band get together and figure out what this kind of money and profile does for you.”

“You’re right.” He pressed his lips to hers. “Christ, Iz. D’you know how badly I want this to be it?”

Izabel ran her fingers through his hair, her eyes focused on his. “Everything happens when it’s meant to, Matt. And it happens for a reason. If this is it, amazing. If this gives you a boost on the way toit, whatever it looks like, then also great. And if it’s not it at all, then it’s still a wonderful moment on the journey.”

He laid his head on her shoulder. “How are you so wise?”

Izabel chuckled. “Hardly. Yesterday, I felt like Gemma was taking me for granted. Wasn’t wise enough to get out of running errands that she didn’t exactly ask nicely for.”

Matt placed his hands on her cheeks. “You didn’t say yes, did you?”

“Sort of. I would have grabbed her a few things anyway, but I’m pissed she assumed I would. But enough about me. This is your moment.”

“Hey. You’re important to me too. You’re too fucking good to people. You need to stop when they’re taking advantage of your kind nature. Even if that’s me, manhandling you up here and carrying you into the shower.”

Matt’s phone continued to ping and vibrate.

“You should get that,” Iz said.

He reached for his phone. “I had all the notifications for all our social media platforms switched on because, in fairness, we didn’t get too many. There’s no way I can respond to all this.”

Izabel laughed. “I think the first step might be to turn them off so you can actually think straight.”

“Fair point. There are a ton of emails here too,” he said, scrolling through them as his hand stroked her hip. “Shit. Luke messaged. Alex called him too. He’s just on the tram from Oldham. What’s that, like fifty minutes until he’s home?”

Shit. Reality.

The fact they were a secret stung. She wanted to celebrate with him, but he’d likely be celebrating with the band, likely after a gig Luke wouldn’t want her to attend. There were huge chunks of Matt’s life she simply couldn’t be a part of.

Yet.

“Izabel?”

“Sorry, was miles away. I should probably go and leave you to this.”

She hurried off his knee and went to find her clothes. He’d only wanted her to come over because Luke was away. When she made it to the kitchen and found her T-shirt and leggings, she slipped into them. Matt walked out of the bedroom wearing a pair of navy joggers hung way too low on his hips. “Sweetheart. Why are you suddenly tearing around the place like you can’t wait to get out of here?”

“No. I’m fine. It’s just, I’ve got stuff to do today. And Luke’s on his way home, and if he gets home before me, he’ll only ask weird questions about where I’ve been. And you’ve obviously got a lot you need to deal with and—”

Matt’s lips pressed firmly against hers as his arms slid around her back, his hands sneaking beneath the hem of her T-shirt. “Ready to try again? Look at me this time. Why are you suddenly tearing around the place like you can’t wait to get out of here?”

Izabel forced herself to take a deep breath and look at him. As much as she hated confrontation, there were enough barriers to their relationship without her honestly being one of them. “Seeing this amazing thing happen to you made me realise I wouldn’t be able to celebrate with you. You’ll meet up with the band, you’ll go play whatever gig you’re playing tonight—because you guys usually have a gig on a Friday night—and then you’ll celebrate afterward. And I won’t be there.”

The happiness on Matt’s face from looking at the streams and downloads dissipated. “Shit. You’re right. It’ll really suck. What else?”

“It suddenly felt a bit seedy. Hiding away, rushing home in case my brother finds out. It suddenly felt like quick, drunk sex and a see-you-later.”

“Iz,” Matt warned. “Don’t ever talk about us like that. You will never be a quick fuck to me. You don’t think I wish you could stay here all day? You don’t think I want to carry you back to my bed and finish what I was just about to start? You don’t think I don’t want to take you to breakfast or have you at the gig tonight or come home with you and cover you in champagne I could lick off you for hours? You don’t think I want to sit and eat breakfast and talk through what’s going on with you and Gemma some more? Fuck, Iz. Don’t diminish this.”

She pressed her forehead to his chest and could feel his muscles strain. “You’re right. It’s a lot. I made some promises to myself after Harry I’d forgotten. That I wouldn’t be anybody’s afterthought again.”

Matt eased his hold on her to rub her back gently. “I want you, Iz. I want this. The timing sucks, but we are bigger than the timing. Yes, we have to steal moments right now. But this thing that happened last night with the band, if we can parlay this into success, everything changes. Right now, the band could implode any second, because quite frankly we could make as much money picking up a nine-to-five job as we do with part-time jobs and gig work. No one is going to walk away from an agent and manager and recording contract and arena venues. Not even your brother. Do you think you can hold on to us, like this, for the short-term?”

Izabel sighed and looked up at Matt. Sincerity radiated from him. “I really want this, and I guess I’m only just realising what us being together means.”

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