Grabbing my keys, I decide to make a judgment call. It could be a bad idea, but I never do anything exciting.
Matt, the sensible one?Well, not to-fucking-day!
Shoving my cell in my jeans pocket, I take a breath, knowing I’m probably being stupid, but I think all my sense and reasoning went out the door when Alex told me to leave heralone. Scott will probably kick me in the nuts when he finds out I’ve gone without him, and no doubt Tillie will be in line, but you only live once. And right now, I would not call what I am doing fucking living.
I walk out of my empty house. A home I used to love and look forward to going to has become as hollow as I feel. Now it’s just me, and I hate it here.
Sighing as I leave, I lock the door behind me.
Sliding into my car, I have no idea how this is going to go, but I’m hoping for the best.
Because right now, life can’t get any worse…
Can it?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
MATT
The streets are buzzing as I park in a side alley. I can already hear the hype and energy from the fair filtering over from the next street. Moving my jaw from side to side, I’m a little nervous being here without any security. I know this is stupid. I know all it will take is for Charlotte to know who I am and to start fangirling for it to turn into a circus. But from our conversations, she doesn’t seem to be the type to make a scene, even if she does know who I am.
I’m hoping this will work out, but either way, I am a fast runner. I let out a small chuckle at the thought as I jump out of my car, pull my cap down lower, and ruffle the hood around my neck, concealing myself a little more.
The sun sets lower in the distance, sending pinkish hues through the aqua sky, and it makes me think of Alex and how she should be here with me. This is something we would have done together.
Clicking my tongue to the roof of my mouth, I start the walk to the fair to find Charlotte. My shoulders inadvertently rise, sheltering my face more from the swarm of people, but no one glances at me or seems to care. I look like all the other guys here and head toward the giant tree next to the cotton candy station, where we agreed to meet. It doesn’t take me long to spot her there—she's already waiting.
Charlotte looks as I imagined and like her profile picture—April fromParks and Recreation.I half-smile as I look her up and down while she stands there in her jeans, a tank top, and a cargo jacket. She looks cute. Stylish. And even though the look is, I guess, a little tomboyish, it’s still feminine on her. Smiling,I walk toward her, and she turns, seeming to sense my presence. Charlotte looks right at me and smiles as I approach. She waves shyly, and I step in front of her and grin, watching her big blue eyes as they light up. She furrows her brows, almost squinting at me.
“Matt?” she asks, and I nod.
“Charlotte?” I ask, and she giggles with a nod.
“Call me Charlie. Wow! You really are rugged up there, Mr. Inconspicuous,” she says, grinning at me from ear to ear.
I shrug and sigh. “I like not to be noticed.”
She nods and looks around to check if anyone’s within hearing distance, then looks back at me. “I understand that, but you know we didn’t have to come out in public…considering.”
I raise my brow and tilt my head. “Considering?”
She leans in closer. “Considering who you are, you jerk. You should have told me!” She slaps my arm playfully.
I smile weakly. So she knows who I am, but at least she didn’t scream and yell it to the entire universe. Guess that’s one good mark for her. “Sorry, just wanted you to get to know me, not who people see me as in the tabloids.”
She nods. “Yeah, I get that, but don’t worry, it doesn’t change anything, Matt. I’m still excited to get to know you,the real you, and I’m willing to listen to everything you have to talk about. I’m here for you,” she says, resting her hand on my arm.
“Thanks, Charlie. I haven’t had a whole bunch of luck with this internet dating thing, so to be honest, I don’t even know where my headspace is right now. I think I need a friend more than anything.”
She nods and leans in, giving me a brief, gentle, yet calming hug. “I’m here for you, Matt. However, you need me.”
I hug her back, and it’s nice to have someone who’s willing to be a friend. I pull back and look toward the street fair. “Wanna get some food and sit on the grass for a bit?”
“Sure, let’s have a chat,” she says, grabbing my hand and leading me toward the hot dog stand.
We spend the evening sitting on a grassy knoll, chatting about everything. I tell her all about Alex, about what happened, and about my prior internet dating history. I don’t know why I feel the need to unload everything on her, but something about her is soothing and makes her easy to talk to.
Charlie’s a fantastic listener and gives great advice at the right points in the conversation. She doesn’t mind that I keep my shades and cap on the entire time, even though the sun has gone down and it’s clearly nighttime. I feel comfortable around her. An ease I haven’t felt with anyone other than Alex, and it’s nice. Although she isn’t quite in the same league as Alex.
