Chapter 40 Mateo
CHAPTER FORTY
Mateo
The spreader bars are taunting me.
Avery: Sir, aren’t you at WORK?
What’s your point?
Levi: Are the spreader bars at the station with you?
Nope. They’re taunting me all the way from my house. I’ll be home around seven tonight
Avery: See you then ;)
Levi: I’ll bring dinner
“What are you smiling about?”
I damn near jumped out of my gear. Maria was standing in the driveway of the station, her brows raised as she studied me.
I’d been actively avoiding her. Mostly because out of all the people that knew me, my cousin always had this ability to see through bullshit. It was a talent. A terrifying one I did not want to endure.
“You scared me.” I dropped my phone in my pocket and crossed my arms.
She crossed them right back. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
Dammit. “No . . .”
“Yes.”
“Maybe.”
“Why?”
I blew out a breath and leaned against the fire engine. The sun was shining bright, per usual. Water ran down the concrete and it glistened, along with the bright red of the truck. I’d been washing the damn thing because it was that time of the month, but it was an annoying job for one guy.
I raked my fingers through my waves. I wore my cargo work pants, suspenders, and my Whynot Fire Department T-shirt—one I probably needed to retire soon given how much I’d worn it. But the town had a budget, and custom shirts were fucking expensive.
“I can’t tell you,” I said.
“Sure you can.” Maria smiled. “I’m too busy to be part of the Whynot clique.”
“It’s not a—”
“It is. It’s fine. I don’t care. But what I do care about is one of my only family members out here avoiding me. Abuela asked if you were still alive the other day. She asked if she needed to call your parents and complain.”
I drew in a steady breath and released it. “I’ll come over for dinner next week.” When Levi is gone.
She narrowed her eyes. “What’s that face for? What’s wrong?”
“Do you have to be up in my business? Don’t you have a library to run?”
“I’m on my way there now,” she said, shouldering her canvas tote.
“Is that full of smut?”
Now, her glare turned wicked. “Do you want to die today?”
“I’m not judging.”
“Whatever. It is, in fact, full of smut.” She shrugged. “If you’re not going to tell me, fine. I just wanted to check on you.”
“I’m okay,” I said. “I . . . I’ve been seeing someone. Two people, actually.”
“You’re cheating?!”
“No,” I laughed. “No. Of course not. You know better. They’re also seeing each other.”
Her eyes widened. “See, that’s like one of my books. Who are they?”
“Maria, if I tell you . . .”
“Who am I going to tell? The cat? My online friends?”
“Avery. And Levi. And you can’t tell anyone because no one knows.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened even more. “Goddamn. Both of them?”
I found myself relaxing. “If you tell a single soul . . .”
“I won’t. So, why are you upset then? What’s wrong?” she asked and then pressed her lips together, as if she already knew. “Wait. Isn’t he leaving?”
I nodded.
“Oh. Soon, right?”
“Monday.”
She winced. “And knowing you, you’re already fully in love.”
“I am.”
“I mean, you’ve been in love with Avery.”
I sighed. “That obvious?”
“It couldn’t be more so. But Levi is new. And those two are together?”
“Yeah.”
“Is Avery okay with him leaving?”
“I don’t think either of us are. But why would we stop him? He has a life in Minnesota. A career he’s worked hard for. He can’t uproot it all and come here, of all places.”
Her smile thinned. “I’ve done crazier for someone I loved.”
I raised a brow, but didn’t press. Maria could get any info out of me she wanted, but when it came to her own, she was a vault.
“Have you heard from your dad?” I asked softly.
She blew out a breath. “God, what a subject change. No, I haven’t. I’m sure we’ll see him over the holidays. Are you going this year?”
“Of course.”
“And maybe with your lovers?”
Despite everything, I was smiling again. “Maybe. If I’m lucky.”
“You are. It’ll be okay. I’ll see you next week for dinner. You should bring Avery with you. I like her.”
“If we’re functioning at that point, I will.” I spread my arms and gave her a hug, planting a kiss on the top of her head. “Go enlighten young minds or whatever it is you do.”
“Right. Have fun saving cats and old people.”