Once he was behind the wheel, I swallowed my pride and asked, “Since you have to follow me anyway, would you mind giving me a ride to work tomorrow morning?”
“Not at all. I’ll pick you up a few minutes early so we can stop by Grannie’s and grab coffee.”
When Jay’s name flashed across the dash display, Matt let it go to voicemail.
“That won’t be necessary. Dad‘s picking up coffee for everyone for our meeting.”
“That’s right, he and Doug are meeting with Dr. Greenfield tomorrow.”
“We’re meeting at eight; can you pick me up at seven-thirty?”
“Of course.”
The country music provided background noise as my mind replayed the day’s events.
“Madi?”
Hearing my name snapped me out of the loop.
“Yeah?” When I looked over, Matt squinted and looked me over before nodding.
Before I could ask what he was thinking, he asked, “It’s been a day, you feel like grabbing a beer? It might take your mind off things. My treat.”
It was a sweet offer, and I actually wanted to take him up on it, but I declined. “Thanks, but Jack expects me home. As much as I want to avoid dealing with my brothers right now, I can’t. Things’ll get worse if I wait.”
Matt nodded with a mm-hmm. “Call me if you change your mind. We have a relationship to sell.” He glanced over and winked at the shock on my face.
I laughed. The only person we needed to convince didn’t live in Weatherford. “Rain check for Wednesday?” I asked, wanting a night away from my brothers.
And sometimes a girl just needs to talk to her mom. Delaying our date gave me time to talk to her about all the upheaval in my life.
“It’s a date.”
Jay’s name flashed on the display again.
“Maybe you should answer that.”
“Nope.” Matt chuckled. “We both know he’s calling to warn me to stay away from you despite your father assigning me as your bodyguard.”
I groaned at his use of the word bodyguard. The last thing I wanted was to be my father’s client.
“Madi, you know needing a little help doesn’t make you weak. In fact, it’s a show of strength to ask for and accept help.”
Great, just what I needed—Matt getting all philosophical.
I picked at my cuticles and avoided his gaze.
“I know, I just wish it wasn’t like this.” There were plenty of things I’d be willing to ask my brothers for help with, like carrying my new furniture when I finally got my own place. Things like helping me paint my walls or installing my security system.
Needing them to provide me with a bodyguard wasn’t on that list.
Matt reached over and squeezed my hand.
It was a perfect boyfriend-ish way of showing his support.
He’s a pretty good fake boyfriend.
“Let’s get you home. Let me know if you want backup talking to Jack.”
