Page 47 of Blindsided

The muffled sound repeats, and I realize it’s my phone. “I think that’s mine. Can you just see who’s calling?”

Matthew grabs it from the pocket of my shorts. His face blanches at what he sees. “It’s Desmond.” He turns the phone toward me to show my brother’s contact photo on the screen as he tries to video call me.

“Oh, fuck.” I jump down from the counter and snatch up my clothes. In the middle of my panic, my arm gets stuck in my bra strap somehow. I start cursing, trying to free myself when Matthew’s hands settle on my shoulders.

“Hey,” he whispers. “Take a deep breath. You can call him back when you get yourself settled.”

“But what if he knows something’s up because I didn’t answer on the first ring?”

Matthew frowns at me. “That isn’t going to happen. How many times have you not answered the phone the first time he’s called?”

I sag against Matty’s chest. “Multiple times.”

He kisses the top of my head. “There ya go. Get yourself together and then call him back.”

I exhale a deep breath and then take my time to right my clothes again. Once everything is buttoned and in place, I feel much more put together.

“There’s my girl. Now, call your brother back while I make us some coffee.”

My insides melt at being his girl, but I snap myself out of the lovey-dovey moment. Desmond will read it all over my face if I still have hearts in my eyes.

The phone rings, and Desmond’s face fills my screen. “Hey, sis. How are you holding up?”

“Pretty well, actually. Being out of the city has helped tremendously.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Nothing new from Veronica or the police?”

“Not yet. I’ve asked, but there hasn’t been anything.”

“What have you been up to? Did you do anything fun this weekend?”

My insides twist. I’m not going to lie to him. But I’m also not going to tell him Matthew fucked me six ways to Sunday in a hotel room. “Um, Matthew took me to this great Italian place last night. I haven’t stuffed myself like that in forever.”

“Good, I’m glad he’s spoiling you. You deserve it.” He starts telling me about the season and how they’re ranking in the league. They only have a couple more games to lock in their standing before the playoffs begin.

Matthew sets a cup of coffee down next to me, and I smile at him in thanks. My smile grows wider when I notice he’s holding Sergio like a baby. My cat has become spoiled by him. When Matthew sits next to me at the island, he starts asking Desmond about his season. The two of them take over the conversation, and I sit back and listen. They’ve been close friends since elementary school.

Matthew and Desmond hit it off immediately. They played every sport together, spent every afternoon at each other’s houses, and even dated the same girls. After Desmond got drafted into the NHL and Matthew went to college, they made sure their friendship didn’t fall by the wayside.

Knowing that Matthew is keeping this huge secret from his best friend has guilt sitting like a lead weight in my stomach.

Am I doing the right thing by dating Matthew? Should I have kept my desires to myself? I’m not sure I could’ve. I’ve spent so much of my life pining after him that when I finally had my chance, I didn’t have a hope of denying how I felt.

And what happens in a month and a half when I have to go back to New York? From what I’ve gathered from Desmond, Matthew has never had a serious, long-term girlfriend. How in the hell could I believe he’d change for me?

No.

Keeping this thing between us a secret is for the best.

Because when it ends, the only two people who will be affected are us.

CHAPTER21

Tilly

Istare at the text message, dread building to a breaking point in my chest. There’s no doubt in my mind this is going to be a sucky conversation.

Veronica: Call me. ASAP.

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