“You and Al?” He glances over his shoulder as he rounds the corner.
“Yep.” I move to the island and slide onto a stool.
“When’s she coming over?”
“She’s on her way. She had brunch with Scarlett, but texted me twenty minutes ago that she was just waiting on the check.”
Matt makes his coffee, then gestures toward the living room. “Wanna turn on a game?”
I nod, and we make our way to the couch. I sink into the leather, and he flips on a college basketball game.
“Did you end up putting an offer on the house?” Matt asks, sipping his coffee.
“Yeah, we did. On Friday.”
“No shit!” His hand claps my back. “Congrats! I’m sad for me, but really fucking happy for you both.”
“Thanks, man. It’s not final yet. We’re supposed to hear back by tomorrow.”
“Let me know when you do. You worried?”
“About what?” I ask, side-eyeing him and the game at the same time.
“Moving. Being away from home. New city. New friends.” He cocks a brow at me. “Staying clean?”
A flash of heat zips through me, stirring something that feels like worry—but it’s not, not exactly. “Not worried. I mean, sure, I’m nervous about parts of it. But that’s normal, right? New shit’s always a little scary. Al’s friends and family are cool, but they’re not you. Not Meg and Kev, not Jeff and Amber. Hard to find friends that jive on the level you and I do.”
“Yeah, this level’s pretty hard to come by.”
I grin, because he’s right. Friendship like ours is rare. But then my throat tightens. “I guess I am a little worried… Not about staying clean. But about all the other stuff. I’m gonna miss you.”
Matt’s lips twitch. “No, you won’t. Trust me. You’ve got a beautiful wife and a house.” He scoffs. “Hell, you’ll probably get a dog. You’ve got it all, brother.” He slaps my back, grinning. “Lucky son of a bitch, too—because you almost lost it. Look at you now. You’re like Mr. Rogers.” He pauses for half a beat, glancing over. “I’m proud of you. And even happier for you.”
Fuck. It lands harder than I expect. Matt’s not a guy who throws around words like that. If I get emotional right now over this bromance, I’ll kick my own ass.
“Thanks.” I nod, a smirk forming. “You gonna admit you’ll miss me too?”
He shakes his head, stretching back into the couch. “Nope. Won’t even notice you’re gone.”
I roll my eyes, and his grin cracks wider. “Bullshit.”
“You’ll be too busy playing house with Alley. You’ll forget I even exist. But if you get a golden retriever, name it after me—alright, buddy?”
I snort. “No way Alley’s getting on board with that.”
He chuckles and takes another sip of coffee, then sets his mug down with a sigh. The grin fades, and his eyes meet mine. “Of course I’ll miss you, dumbass. You’re my brother.”
He stands unexpectedly. “Come on. Let’s get this over with now, because we both know if we do this on moving day we’re gonna fucking cry.” He stretches his arms wide, and I chuckle as I rise. We pull each other in for a brotherly hug, clapping each other’s backs hard. “Love you, man. Don’t make this weird.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” My voice comes out rougher than I want it to.
“Should I come back later, or…?” Alley’s voice carries through the foyer as she steps out of the elevator, grinning. “If I’d known you two needed alone time, I would’ve gone shopping first.”
We both chuckle as she sets her purse on a stool and kicks off her shoes.
She starts for the kitchen, but Matt stops her. “Don’t think you’re getting out of this.” He waves her over. “Your turn.”
She walks toward us, lips still curved. Damn, that smile. Gets me every time. Matt pulls her into a bone-crushing hug. “Gonna miss the hell out of you, Al.”
