“Okay,” I sighed, even though my stomach twisted. “I’ll text Matthew and Nick.”
“Perfect. We’ve got this. What was that guy's name?”
“Phil,” I said, making a face.
“Phil. Well, we’ll keep an eye out for him. I’ll see you in a bit.”
I nodded as he left, then stared at the wall, exhaling slowly. Should I text Austin? Should I text Avery? Should I wait like Mateo said? Should Matthew and Nick be there too? What if that guy was dangerous?
I undid my bun and let my hair down, rubbing my scalp with a groan.
I didn’t like secrets. I’d seen firsthand how secrets ruined everything.
Reluctantly, I stuck to the plan. I texted Nick and Matthew, saw Mateo’s SOS text in our group chat, and now had plans to go over to Avery’s once the bakery closed.
Whatever it was, we’d take care of it together. It could have beennothing.But in the back of my mind, I worried it was proof not everything was as perfect as it seemed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Nick
I slowed my car as I pulled into Matthew’s driveway and hopped out, glancing up at the sky. The sun was setting, and it was one of those Texas sunsets that stole my breath, reminding me of something I hadn’t known I missed. Scarlet, pink, and purple streaked across the sky, slowly giving way to the night and the smiling moon up above.
I took a deep breath and exhaled, counting to five.
Evie had something come up tonight, and whatever it was, she was nervous about it. I trusted she’d tell Matthew and I if anything was wrong, but it made me nervous. Had we gone too fast? Had we done too much?
I went to the doorstep and kicked my boots on the welcome mat. It was a very traditionalHowdy Y’allone, except it had a little rainbow and a disco ball, which I found endearing.
The door flew open before I could knock. Matthew leaned against the door frame and my heart started pumping. He wore his glasses, a V-neck T-shirt, and gym shorts.
“Did you go on a run?” I choked out.
“Yep. Just got back.”
He smiled and grabbed my waistband, pulling me inside. The door slammed shut behind us, and then he was pushing me against it.Fuck.
“Well, hello,” I rasped. His hips pressed against mine, and I felt the outline of his erection, harder than steel. “Happy to see me?”
“Very happy.”
I smiled as his mouth brushed mine, and I was lost. I was so lost. This had been happening the last few days where every time he or Evie kissed me, I was reminded that I’d neverfeltlike this before. My chest was sticky with all these emotions, and it scared the hell out of me.
With Evie, I was dominant. I didn’t have a single submissive bone in my body when she was around.
But with Matthew? All I wanted to do was submit. It was such a completely different dynamic, and yet it worked for me just as much.
He knotted his fingers in my mullet and gave me a gentle tug. “What’s wrong?”
I blew out a breath. I guess I wasn’t good at hiding sometimes. “Evie’s text made me nervous.”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah. Me too. But I don’t think it has anything to do with our relationship. I happened to see Dallas at the grocery store earlier, and he mentioned they were having a capital M meeting.”
That made my frown deepen. “Austin will be there too?”
Matthew nodded.
I made a face. Not that I was jealous, of course. “I wish I was invited.”
