Mom didn’t say anything to this, but she nodded and stroked my hair, murmuring soft words under her breath.
“And this thing with your roommate?” she asked. “Have you and Carly hashed it out?”
“No. She hasn’t been home and won’t answer her phone.” My chin dropped to my chest as another bout of fresh tears pressed against the back of my eyeballs.
“And she was the one that made up those flyers about you?”
“Yeah.” I fell back against the couch, rubbing my face dry with the sleeve of my sweatshirt. “It wasn’t like I didn’t deserve it, Mom. I never thought I could be capable of hurting people like this.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Mom rested her warm hand on top of mine, eyes twinkling. “Life is full of people who make and continue to make mistakes every day. It is part of what makes life interesting.” She winked, and I couldn't help but smile a bit. “Apologize. Apologize to whomever you need to, and then move on. If they forgive you, be glad they did. If they can’t, well, that would be their burden to bear.”
“Thanks, Mama.” I leaned forward and let her hug me again, giving her a quick kiss. As the tears began to dry up, there was a soft knock on the front door. Jami and Carly wouldn’t knock; who else was interested in seeing me? Mom pulled back, eyebrows raised, and I shrugged.
“Give me just a second,” I said, shaking my head. I crossed the room and opened the front door, expecting to see Jason, maybe, or his sister Alaina. But it was neither of them.
It was Matthew Fucking Nelson.
Chapter 29
Matt
The expression on Renee’sface was hard to read because it looked like she'd probably been crying, the tears were dry, and her brow furrowed in confusion when she met my face outside her front door.
“Hi,” I said.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. As I open my mouth to respond, she rattles on, bowling over me. “Are you here to fuck up the rest of my life?” she demands, face growing red with anger. “Sorry, Matt, nobody is here to help you and Jake take me out, okay? Try Carly. I’m sure she’d be happy to plan more revenge on me.”
I smiled because I couldn't help it. Renee was fucking adorable when she was angry. And if I focused too hard on the silky red hair that cascades down the front of her chest and the fiery, emerald eyes she was trying to burn me with from the inside out, I would get a hard-on and wouldn’t be able to focus on the real reason I was here.
“Why in the hell are you smiling?!” Renee shouts, seething. She glances back over her shoulder, and I realize she must have company. Is it another man? Jami? Jason?
“I didn’t realize you had anyone here. Sorry to interrupt.” I take a step back, my mind sparking with curiosity. But the stranger approached the door at that moment, visible right behind Renee.
“Who is it, honey?” the woman said, and I met her gaze over Renee’s shoulder.
“It’s nobody, Mom. He was just leaving.”
