My stomach does that fluttery thing. The thing I kept waiting for when Alexander looked at me—and never got.
I take another sip of my tea, pretending to be unimpressed. Unaffected. But the heat flashing through me says otherwise.
“I don’t have time for this,” I say casually, shaking my head as I hide a smile. “My Uber’s almost here. Just text me tomorrow and tell me what time to meet you.”
Chapter Eighteen
MATT
My knuckles rapagainst the blue door of Jensen and Alley’s house. I know I’m about to get grilled with questions from my best friend, but I’m more than ready for it because it’s Monday Night Football.
And I fucking live for Monday Night Football with Jensen and Alley.
Having them gone has been harder than I expected. Things aren’t the same. Thank Christ Jordan came waltzing back into my life when she did, because as much as I hate to admit it, it’s been lonely. I’m used to being just a short elevator ride away from my people.
I have other friends from work, college, and Jensen’s family. I actually do a lot with Megan and Kevin. But nothing beats hanging out with your childhood best friend.
Jensen and I did everything together growing up, and he’s always had my back. More than once, I started fights I knew damn well I couldn’t win, and Jensen would jump right in, no questions asked. He’s loyal like that.
One time in ninth grade, when Jordan and I had broken up, she turned her attention to Jensen just to make me jealous. Jensen didn’t even entertain it. Not for one second.
And Jordan was the it girl. Every guy had a crush on her.
That led to some heated, immature arguments between me andJordan later on, but it never mattered. We always found our way back to each other.
The door swings open, and Jensen grins. “Hey, man!”
“Hey, brother,” I reply as we clap hands and pull each other in for a quick hug.
We separate, and Jensen gestures me inside. “Come in. Alley’s got a whole spread for us waiting in the kitchen.”
“She’s making us food?” I ask as I wander into the living room. “Shouldn’t she be relaxing?”
“Jesus, Matt. I’m pregnant. Not dying!” Alley calls from the kitchen.
“Could have fooled me, Al. Where were you on draft night?” I call back.
Draft night for fantasy football is a big deal every year. A full-blown party. Jensen joined us on Zoom, but Alley? She went to bed early, and Jensen had to draft her team.
“I was dead asleep.” Alley rounds the corner, a smile lighting up her face when she sees me. “Hi!” she says, stepping in for a hug.
“Hey.” I wrap my arms around her as best I can with the giant belly between us. She’s always felt like family. I kiss the top of her head. “How’re you feeling? You didn’t need to cook for us.”
She pulls back, brows scrunching. “Don’t be dumb. I’m fine. I feel great, and you know I love this. I’m just glad you’re here. I didn’t think we’d get to watch football with you this year.”
“Yeah, this is great,” Jensen says, then lifts a brow. “Where’s your wife, by the way?” He tries to smother a grin but fails.
Alley swats his arm. “Babe! Seriously? Already?”
I chuckle and lift my arms in a half shrug. “I probably deserve that. But Jesus, can’t I have five minutes before you interrogate me?”
“No way in hell. Not when you go and get married behind our backs—which I still don’t even believe, by the way. What the fuck is going on? Because I know you. You don’t just get married. Does this have something to do with the custody thing?”
Fuck.Guess the jig is up. At least with these two. Lasted longer than I expected.
I blow out a breath. “Is it that obvious?”
Alley’s eyes go wide, and Jensen shakes his head. “Jesus, Matt. Are you serious? What the hell were you thinking?”
