A slow and steady smile creeps across his lips. “Goodnight, Sunny. I’ll see you Saturday?”
My chin dips as I nod. “I’ll see you then. Goodnight.”
Matteo lingers for a moment longer before he slips through the door, stepping out into the night. I stare after him as he walks down the street, heading toward his car. A part of me wants to go after him, to take him up on that offer to disappear together.
Away from the monotony of daily life. Away from the stressors and the constant decisions.
It’s such a tempting, yet conflicting offer. Maybe in a different life Matteo and I could have been more than just a physical attraction.
He reaches the side of his car and glances back at me with that same sultry smile forming on his mouth. The physical attraction is undeniable… and I’m beginning to wonder if I’m not the only one feeling it.
Heat spreads through my body and I lift my hand to wave at him before he drops down into the front seat of his car. Turning from the door, I let it fall shut as I step away. My mind replays the entire night, every word that was said, over and over as I ride the elevator back to my floor..
As soon as my apartment door is shut, I press my back against it, tipping my head up and letting my eyelids fall shut. My chest expands as I inhale deeply. His woodsy scent lingers in the air around me. A stupid grin tugs on the corners of my lips.
Matteo Ford is under my skin and I think that’s exactly where I want him to be.
CHAPTER TWELVE
MATTEO
“I couldn’t get her out of my head.” - Julian Hart, Painted Inferno
Coming here was a bad idea.
I should have just lied and told my sisters and mother I couldn’t make it. There must have been some kind of bullshit excuse I could have fed them instead.
Shifting my weight, I roll my shoulders back, mentally preparing myself before reaching for the doorknob and giving it a turn. It opens effortlessly, and I let myself into the home I spent most of my teenage years in.
The first half of my life was spent in Aston, a little under two hours north of Hillford. When my father retired from playing for the Aston Archers, he and my mother decided they wanted a change of scenery.
My Uncle Caleb and Aunt Mia were the first to make the move to Hillford. Caleb’s two years older than my father and he accepted a position as an assistant coach for the Hillford Ice Hawks after retiring. A few years ago, he was promoted to head coach.
After my father retired, he became really involved in youth coaching. He was hired as a head coach for a tier one youth program.
The house is buzzing with energy and voices, and I pause just inside the door, my eyes dropping to the mess of shoes in the foyer. There are a hell of a lot more shoes here than just my family’s.
I kick my own sneakers off and shrug out of my jacket to hang on the wall by the door. My father’s laughter carries through the house, and I hear the voices of two of his best friends and old teammates, Lincoln Matthews and Rowan Taylor.
That explains the mess of shoes.
I’m not surprised they’re here. The two of them are more like uncles than anything else. Hockey families have a habit of sticking together after the hours and years spent in the same space.
“Matteo!”
Posey’s voice comes from the top of the stairs. A smile spreads across my face as my oldest friend comes down the steps. Her curly blonde hair is pulled back in a braid resting over her left shoulder.
Posey’s two years younger than me. The two of us grew up together since our fathers played for the Archers together and her mom and mine are very close. She now works for the Hillford Ice Hawks as one of our skating coaches.
“Hey, Poe,” I say, pulling her in for a hug as she reaches the bottom of the stairs. “How are you? It’s been a while.”
“I’m good, how are you? I saw you seem to have your groove back.”
“Yeah, it seems like I do.” I pause, glancing at the stairs as my sister Elena and Rowan’s daughter, Lucy, come down. “Hey, El. Hey, Luce.” I hug the two of them. Lucy’s five years younger than me, so she and Elena have always been closer.
“Where’s your brother?” I ask Posey.
There are ten kids in total between the five different families that form our one Archers family. Half are out of college and the younger ones are still in school, or at least college-aged.
