“That he’s an asshole? Yeah, a little late for that.”
“No.” Matt shook his head and sighed softly. “I dated Phillip about four years ago. When we were together, he tried everything he could to manipulate me. Isolate me from my friends. Convince me he was all I needed. And then when I saw the light, I broke up with him. Afterwards, he tried to coerce me into coming back. I know this is going to sound completely unhinged, but he tried to trick me into marrying him.” He swallowed and drummed his fingers on the table rapidly.
“Hewhat?” Kieran’s brow was furrowed and he shook his head. “You’re fucking with us. What really happened?”
“I’m not—”
I turned to Kier and put a hand on his shoulder before looking back at Matt. “He tried to trap me into marrying him, too. I was just having my attorney draw up a new contract so we can sellthe condo we bought together without his… stipulations. You’re right—itiscompletely unhinged.”
Kieran turned to look at me. “You didn’t tell me that.” He sounded hurt, his voice tight.
I shook my head slowly and took a breath. “I’m sorry. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. I didn’t tellanyone. Except the lawyer. Well, he told me, I guess.” I looked back at Matt. “So… how did you get out of it?”
“Same as you, sounds like. I had a real estate lawyer draw up a contract that gave me half the money from the sale of the house we’d bought together. Look, I just wanted to try and let you know before he trapped you. I didn’t want you to get stuck.”
I took a sip of my beer and nodded. “You’re about a week too late to warn me, but I figured it out when he wouldn’t let me read the whole sale contract. He just wanted me to sign the last page and move on.”
Matt let out a shaky breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t beat him to the punch. I’m glad you’re safe though.”
One question was still bouncing around in my mind, though. “How did you find me?”
“His social media. I unblocked him a few weeks ago, when another of his exes contacted me about the same thing. I wanted to try to protect anyone who came after me. Before it was too late. He posted that he was going to be down here, and then it was just a matter of talking to people who run in the same circles he does.”
“Thanks,” I said softly. “I really appreciate it.”
He stood then and nodded at us. “I’m going to get out of here before he finds out I’m in town. Thanks for meeting me.”
“Yeah,” I murmured. “Of course.” With that, Matt was gone. Once he’d disappeared, through the crowd and out into the warm evening, I turned back to Kieran. “Now what?”
“Now you let that piece of shit know that he can’t fuck with you anymore.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “That’s a good idea, buthow?”
“The only way you can. Take the contract to him, tell him what you know—minus Matt—and make him sign. And then you ride off into the sunset with your new, straight boyfriend, happily ever after.”
The wordboyfriendhit me square in the chest. “That’s not what this is,” I protested. “We’re not—”
Kieran patted my arm twice. “You will be. Mark my words.”
“Kier, we’releavingwhen the show is over. We’vehadthis conversation, you and I. What do you expect from me?”
His tone softened when he spoke again. “You look happier these days. Way happier than when you were with Phillip, at least.” He said the name like it was bitter on his tongue. “I expect you to embrace it while you can.”
I took a long swig of my beer and sighed. “I’ll let you know. Thanks for coming here tonight. I appreciate you being my backup.”
He shrugged. “Anytime. You know I’m here for you. Now…”
“Nowwhat?”
He smirked and tapped my bottle with his. “It’s still early. Go get your man.”
Chapter 27 - Asher
My doorbell rang just as I was finishing dinner.Weird. I wasn’t expecting anyone.Maybe it was a delivery? I made my way to the front door and swung it open curiously.
“Micah?”
“Hi.” He gave me a little wave and ran his fingers through his short hair.
