“I’ll say one thing; you sure know how to pick them.”
I blink through the haziness of all the feelings that have me in a knot, his words registering in my mind. My brows furrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Aiden shakes his head, almost absentmindedly. “I was watching him the other night at The Hut, and the guy’s a hothead if I’ve ever seen one. He’s no better than Damien.”
I press my lips together at his words, the anger rising inside me.
“Matthew isnothinglike Damien. Nothing,” I hiss immediately, my fingers curling into a fist on the table. “He’s not some hothead; he was just defending me when Damien started to talk shit. Like a good boyfriend would do.”
Aiden quirks his brow. “I thought he was afakeboyfriend.”
His words feel like a slap, my cheeks heating. I clench my jaw. “I don’t even know why I told you that.”
I push my chair back, ready to get away, but Aiden curses, his fingers wrapping around my wrist. “Shit. I’m just worried about you, Jessy.”
“There is no reason to be worried. I’m fine,” I mutter, pulling my hand out of his grip.
Aiden watches me for a moment. “I’m just trying to be here for you. I thought we were friends.”
I swallow hard. “We are.”
My phone lights up. Grateful for an out, I grab it and check the message, but it’s not the Williams sibling whose name I was hoping to find.
Becky:
Have you heard from Matthew?
Jessica:
Not since this morning. Why?
Becky:
We can’t find him.
Jessica:
They’re really busy at work these days.
Becky:
He left work already.
Our mom passed away earlier today.
He didn’t make it on time, and now we can’t find him.
“Oh my God.”
Jessica:
I’m so sorry for your loss, Becky.
I sink my teeth into my lower lip to stop it from trembling. Mrs. Williams is—was—a kindhearted, gentle soul who was dealt a very shitty hand in life. And although her death was to be expected, that doesn’t make losing her any less painful or tragic. My heart aches for my friend and her pain. Aches for Matthew, who didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.
Becky:
Thank you. It’s been… a lot. But hopefully she’s finally at peace now.
