Page 49 of Blindsided

“That’s good. And Matthew is treating you okay? He isn’t bringing home girls every weekend, right?”

I huff out a laugh. If he only knew. “No, he’s been great. Mom and Dad are coming home this week, too.”

“Yeah, Mom told me. She also said you had no plans to stay with them.”

I shouldn’t be surprised that Mom told Desmond. The problem I’m having now is that it’s a lot easier to lie when the person you’re lying to isn’t staring you in the face as you do it.

“Come on, Des. Think for a second. What would Mom do if I moved in with them right now? I have a stalker.”

He cringes. “She’d hover like a mosquito looking for his next meal.”

“Exactly. Staying with Matthew is great because he goes to work during the day, and I have the whole house to myself. If I stayed with Mom and Dad, they’d be up my ass twenty-four seven.”

“You’re right. Just… make sure to spend some time with them. They miss you.”

“I promise. I’m going to call them after I get off the phone with you and tell them about this latest threat. Mom’s going to be a mess. She was so hopeful my stalker had given up. It’s probably a good thing they’re already on their way home.”

“Probably. Are you going to be okay?”

“Yeah. I just needed someone to talk me down from the ledge.”

“Love you, sis.”

“Love you, too, Des.”

* * *

“Hey, pretty girl.” Matthew wraps his arms around my shoulders from behind and kisses my temple.

“Hi. How was work?” I close my laptop. I’ve been researching hobbies for the last hour, to no avail. Today made it very obvious that I need to find something new to do with my time. I’ve been thinking it for weeks, but having it thrown in my face that I can’t find a distraction on my own is just sad.

“It was fine. What did you get up to today?” Matthew works off his suit jacket and tie and hangs them on the barstool next to mine.

“Mostly realized I have zero interest in knitting, crocheting, or anything else involving clothing materials.”

Matthew laughs. “Okay… What made you decide to start researching that?”

I exhale, and Matthew’s smile drops immediately. “I found out my stalker sent another package today.”

“Goddammit.” He pulls me into his chest, and my arms wrap around his waist. I’ve needed this all day. “Why didn’t you call me?”

I shrug. “I wanted to try to handle it on my own. Hence the search for a hobby.”

Matthew hums in understanding. “Maybe we can try a few different things and see which one sticks.”

“We?”

“Yes, we. You may want to do things by yourself, but that doesn’t mean you’re alone.”

“You’re an amazing man, Matty.”

“Tell my brother that,” he grumbles.

“Which one?” I laugh.

“Touché. My oldest. Adam was on my case today about everything. Ever since he met Ellie, he’s mellowed out more than I ever thought he would, but every now and then, he gets a bug up his ass about something, and I get the brunt of his control freak nature.”

“That’s not fair to you.”

---