Page 27 of Blindsided

I’m imagining Veronica’s jaw clenching and unclenching, her Botoxed face frozen despite her effort to frown. “I won’t let this end your career. You’re too good for that to happen. But I can’t deny that this is going to affect you when you come back. I just… Are you sure? What if we tried three weeks instead?”

“It’s two months or I quit altogether. If I keep going, I will either have a breakdown during a shoot, or my stalker will make good on his threats. I’d rather avoid both of those scenarios.”

“I get it.” With a sigh, Veronica finally gives in. “I’ll do whatever I can to smooth things over.”

“Thank you.” I hang up the phone at the same time a text comes through.

Matty: Looks like we’re going to be roomies for a while. You better bring your A game. I’ve been practicing.

A photo is attached to his message, and I see his name above mine as the highest scorer inTetris.

Me: You’re on.

CHAPTER12

Matthew

“Hey, Tessa, I’ve gotta run out a little early today.”

Adam’s assistant looks over at me from her desk. “Okay, thanks for the heads-up. Everything okay?”

A smile stretches across my face. “It’s great. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Given the circumstances, I shouldn’t be this happy. When Desmond called this morning, I almost threw my phone across the room. What kind of sick fuck sends a threat like that? I can only imagine how scared Tilly was when she opened the box.

I didn’t hesitate for a second after Des asked me if she could stay. I understand that two months will be a long time for me to be living with someone, but this is Tilly. She’s not some random person who needs a helping hand. She’s my… friend. I’m going to ignore that my brain wants to end that sentence differently.

I jump into my car and head toward Greensboro. It’s the closest place to get the healthy food Tilly loves. Most of it tastes like cardboard to me. Maybe I’ll surprise her with a few unhealthy things. I don’t want to mess up her job, but she deserves a few treats after everything she’s been through.

The almost fifty-minute drive passes quickly, and I pull into the parking lot of the health food store that has the best options. At least, according to Tilly. I jot down a few of the things in my notes app that I remember Tilly loving the most before I forget. When I ordered food for her the first time she stayed with me, I chose a bunch of random shit I had no clue if she’d eat.

The memory of her trying the tofurkey patties pops into my head, and I laugh out loud. They looked like pre-chewed, slightly off-colored ground meat. She made it through two chews before she had to spit it out.

I walk up and down the aisles, grabbing things that I know she likes and things I might enjoy, as well. I’m trying not to be wasteful, but she’s going to be here for two months. I get to the frozen section, and I can’t remember which meals she liked best.

Checking the time on my phone, I click on her name to call. She should be about to board the plane.

“Hey, which brand of veggie burgers did you like the best?”

“What? Um, Sheffield’s. Are you grocery shopping?”

“Duh. You’re going to be here for two months.”

“You didn’t have to do that. I could’ve gone when I got there.”

“I wanted to do it. I needed to make up for the tofurkey incident.”

Tilly laughs. “That one was disgusting.”

“I still can’t believe you ate it.”

“You bought it! I didn’t want you to think I wasn’t grateful.”

“Well, this time, I’m getting you your favorites.”

“Thank you, Matty. Hey, they’re boarding my flight. I’ll see you soon.”

“See you later.”

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