“Goodnight,” I whisper.
“Goodnight,” he murmurs back, just before I press the button and end the call. I slide my phone onto my nightstand, roll onto my back, and stare up at the ceiling, my heart thumping against my ribcage.
We’re both knowingly using one another, but this feels like a dangerous game we’re playing. It’s like we’re on a slippery slope, on the precipice of falling. One wrong step and we’re both going down.
CHAPTER TEN
MATTEO
“Compromise was a precious artifact. It was neither carved from clay nor painted upon a canvas. It was a shared glance. A subtle nod. An understanding that as much as we didn’t want to admit it, our ideas were better when they were intertwined together.” - Julian Hart, Painted Inferno
FORD FAM CHAT
Elena
Good morning, big brother.
It’s Dad’s birthday Friday. You’re coming to dinner, right?
Bella
Yeah, right. They haven’t talked since their fight last month.
Mom’s pissed, by the way.
She said you’ve been dodging her calls, Matteo.
Elena
She’s going to be more pissed if he doesn’t show up for dinner.
Bella
You and dad need to get over your shit already.
Elena
Do you know who you’re talking to? Matteo’s allergic to apologizing.
Bella
I feel like I’m in high school again.
Matteo
You’re not that far removed from it.
Elena
You’re the oldest, you should be the most mature.
Matteo
I’m not wrong in the argument. Dad knows it and doesn’t want to admit it.
Bella
Oh jeez, here we go again.
