Looking out my windows, I don’t see anyone around the parking lot.Not even any of my co-workers.Though that’s not surprising since they all left at least a half hour before I did.The lights are coming on as the sun starts to set and dusk settles in around me.It’s still light enough the kids and I could’ve enjoyed the park, but I see Matt’s point.If someone was really following me here and watching me walk to my car, there’s nothing to say they won’t follow me when I have the kids with me.I won’t do anything to put them in harm’s way.
“Okay, Matt.I’ll take them to the diner in town and then go straight home.I’m scared, Matt,” I admit, my voice showing how choppy my breathing is becoming as I grip my phone with one hand and the steering wheel with the other one to keep them from shaking.It’s not working because my entire body is shaking almost uncontrollably at this point.
“Breathe, Peyton.Take a deep breath in for me,” he says, doing the same thing loud enough for me to hear him.“Release it.”
Matt repeats the process until I’m breathing somewhat normal again.My heart is still racing out of control and my chest aches.
“Do you need to go to the hospital, Tutor?Does your chest hurt?”Matt questions me, having seen me have a panic attack one time in high school because of the bullying.
“I think I’m okay.My chest aches and my heart is still racing, but I think it will go away in a little bit,” I answer him as I hear a motorcycle heading my way.
“Are you sure?If you need to go to the hospital, then go.Don’t be stubborn after what you just went through,” he says, anger filling his voice as I watch a lone headlight pull in and head straight for me.
“I’m sure.If it doesn’t stop in a little bit, I’ll call Barb or Jennifer and go get checked out,” I promise him because I know he’ll worry about me if I don’t.“I think Seth is here.”
“Okay.I’m gonna talk to Brick.Take the kids to dinner and I’ll check on you in a little bit, Tutor.If you need me, call again and I’ll answer it,” he says, hanging up the phone before I can respond.Typical Matt.
Seth pulls up next to the driver’s side of my SUV and looks at me before I start the engine and pull out of the parking lot.He follows me to my sister’s house where I pick up the kids and explain what happened to me.As expected, Jennifer loses her mind and wants me to stay at their house for the night.It’s only when Seth steps in to assure her the kids and I won’t be left alone that she relents and makes me promise to call her if anything else happens.
***
The kids and I enjoyedour dinner at the small diner not far from the house.Despite Seth being with us, the feeling of being watched never really went away.Cedric got the chicken tenders as normal while I got Caydence a hot dog.They both ate all their food and I got them some ice cream from the diner to take home with us.Every now and then they have ice cream in a carton for sale that’s made by them and it’s amazing.Better than anything I could think of buying at the store.The kids got chocolate and I bought some cookie dough for myself.After this week, I need something to comfort me once the kids are safely tucked in their beds and I can start to process what happened a few hours ago.
Seth hasn’t left our side as we ate dinner and now make our way home.He follows close behind my SUV and pulls in next to me.Turning in my seat, I find Caydence already passed out and Cedric pretty close to sleeping.I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face as I look at my kids.
“Ma’am, can I help you get the kids in the house?”Seth asks me once I open my door.
“Um, sure.If you could help Cedric, I’ll get my daughter.Thank you, Seth,” I tell him, giving what I hope is a smile as my eyes dart around the outside of my house.
“Brick was just here.He used the key you gave Carbon to go in and make sure no one’s been inside.You and the kids will be safe.I’ll be right on the porch if you need anythin’ and Carbon is just a call away.He can get here in minutes if somethin’ happens,” Seth tries to reassure me but I’m not sure how well it’s working as I quickly get Caydence out of her seat and prepare to take her inside for bed.
My girl is a heavy sleeper and doesn’t stir as I carry her inside and get her changed before putting her in the crib.Cedric changes into his own pajamas and goes to the bathroom before I tuck him into bed.Before I can even ask what story he wants to hear tonight, my son’s eyes are already closing.I give him a kiss on his cheek before leaving the room after making sure the windows are locked and no one can get in them.
Walking back out to the living room, I grab our ice cream and put it away.Well, I put the kid’s ice cream away and keep mine out.Grabbing a spoon from the drawer, I make my way to the couch and pick up the remote to find something to take my mind off the shit of the day and last week.Sinking back into the couch, I know the only person I want here right now is Matt.When I’m with him I feel safe and like no one can get close to me.I’ve always felt that way when I’m with him.Other than my dad, Matt is the only one who can make me feel this way.
“Tutor, I’m here,” I hear Matt call out from behind me as I turn to find him walking in the door, his eyes already on me.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at the bar?”I ask him, not sure why he’s here instead of at work.
“The kids and you are more important, Tutor.Brick’s coverin’ the bar so I can be here with the three of you.Is your chest still botherin’ you?”he returns, sliding off his cut and laying it over the back of the chair before moving to sit next to me on the couch and pulling me into his arms.
“It’s barely noticeable right now.It will take a while to go away,” I answer him as I pull my spoon from the ice cream and move to take a bite.
“See you still love your ice cream when you’ve had a shitty day.This last week has been fuckin’ ridiculous and I’m tired of not seein’ you.I’m here all weekend unless you and the kids wanna go to my house to stay.It might be safer if someone was followin’ you around.Brick’s gonna work his magic on the computer when he gets done at the bar tonight.He’ll pull up the surveillance footage from your office to find out what’s goin’ on,” Matt promises me as I share a bite of ice cream with him.
Not many people know it, but Matt has a sweet tooth every now and then.You’d never tell by looking at him, but I’ve shared more treats with him over the years I tutored him than anyone else.He was always bringing something with him that he’d share.Somehow they always managed to be my favorite snacks.
“Thank you, Matt.You don’t have to do all of this.I really appreciate it though,” I tell him honestly as I rest my head against his chest and close my eyes.
“Peyton, this is the least I should be doin’ for you.I wasn’t lyin’ when I said I had a crush on you in high school.I’ve loved you for longer than I knew what love was and thought about you every fuckin’ day since the day I left school.The only reason I never reached out to you was because I knew you were destined to leave Frostford and I wasn’t about to keep you here because I wanted you at my side.You weren’t ready for me in high school because you were too shy.I know you’re still shy as fuck, but there’s an openness to you I’ve never seen before.If there wasn’t, you never would’ve been with me that night at the bar.We’ve both changed and grown as people.We need to get to know one another again.I have no problem doin’ that and puttin’ in the time.After this weekend, I’ll make sure the kids and you have plenty of my time,” Matt says, leaning down while tilting my face up to press a soft kiss against my lips.
“I’ve missed you this week.I didn’t think I’d miss you this much when we’re really only starting this thing between us,” I tell him honestly as I keep my eyes locked on his.
“Missed you too, Tutor.Why don’t you get ready for bed and I’ll check the house before joinin’ you.Want to hold you in my arms and fall asleep with you.We’ve got all the time in the world to have sex.Not that I don’t want that with you because I do.Right now, you’ve had a horrible week and day so I want nothin’ more than to hold you in my arms,” Matt says as he helps me off the couch and takes the ice cream from my hands.
After one more kiss, I leave Matt in the living room while I head for my bedroom.My house is all one floor so it won’t take long for him to figure out which room I’m in.I listen as he moves around the house before checking on the kids and then finally entering my room.I’m already in bed wearing a baggy tee-shirt and nothing else as I watch him strip down to nothing but his boxers and slide into bed next to me.Matt pulls me into his arms and I hold him close with my head on his chest.He starts running his fingers through my hair as I let my eyes slide closed.
“Love you, Matt,” I whisper into the silent room just before sleep claims me quicker than normal.
