Chapter 15
fifteen
Nessa
Group Chat: Bad Bitches [Stef Carter, Lily Long, Delia Shane, Nessa Rabin]
Lily:
face is hot emojij Is it just me, or is it suddenly extremely hot in here?
Delia, send up some ice for the burn Mateo just gave Jim eyes emoji
Delia:
***
Lily:
Mateo just took Jim down about 8 pegs while defending Nessa.
I think someone is smitten.
Stef:
Oh, my brother is a smitten kitten, all right.
(Nessa has left the group chat)
(Delia has added Nessa to the group chat)
(Nessa has left the group chat)
Nope. I can’t do it.
When Caleb entered the small dining room, the scent of his cologne hit my nose, causing my body to go haywire.
First came the stomach cramps, a sweaty brow, and clammy skin. I tried to sip my cold water, forgetting it was bubbly. The fizz did not mix well with my situation, and I was about to regurgitate bile.
Somewhere, my rational brain identified the panic attack, but that didn’t stop me from feeling like I was dying.
No, instead, I’m currently storming down the steps of The Featherweight, ignoring everyone.
I slam the door to the sport car and begin to speed out of the parking lot.
In the rearview, I see Mateo outside chasing after me.
Rather than wait for him, I toss up a peace sign and tear out of the lot. Sorry, I can’t handle anyone seeing me spiral. I’m winding my way through town when I decide I need to step away from this.
I need to get out of here. I need to be someone else for a night, someone who’s fun and carefree. Someone who isn’t stressed about her responsibilities. I know just the person. Using Bluetooth, I call Shae.
“You up for a drink tonight?” I ask when she answers. “I can pick you up in about an hour and a half.”
“I would, but tonight is not the night. My boss just gave me a lecture about taking my work more seriously, and you know how much I love this job. I can’t mess it up. What about Thursday?”
I hang up, there’s no point. Thirty seconds later, a text notification appears on the console, and a robotic voice reads the message aloud.
“Shae sent a text message that says, ‘Okay, bitch. Thanks for being proud of me for taking something seriously.’ Would you like to reply?”
“Nope. Thanks, robot,” I say.
The phone rings next, and I decline before even checking the display. I don’t want to discuss anything with anyone right now. As I come up to the sole traffic light in town and slow to a stop, I decline yet another call.
The light is still red when the passenger door flies open and Mateo hops in. Great.
“You can’t lose me that easily. Plus, I really can’t have you destroying this priceless gem.” He grins at me.
“Go away, Matty.” I’m fuming, but he’s looking at me like I’m an adorable little bunny.
“What happened back there?” His gaze lingers, like he’s examining me.
Hit with a wave of shame for my outburst, my cheeks heat. I’m not sure how much I want to share.
Professional Nessa would tell me to be vulnerable and give Mateo a chance to prove that he’s not like my ex. Unfortunately, Impulsive Nessa is in the driver’s seat tonight, and she simply glares at him.
Finally, the light turns green, and I accelerate a little too hard, causing the tires to squeal. Tentatively, Mateo reaches one hand out, but he stops just short of touching my shoulder before retreating. I’m thankful for the space, and yet I long to feel comforted.
His words are slow and careful, almost fearful, when he says, “I have a few more weeks, right? You aren’t calling this? We’ll keep this up through the festival and keep working together?”
“Yeah, sure. Then you can run off and forget me and that any of this happened.” I inhale deeply, holding back a scoff. I pull into Stef’s driveway and throw the gearshift into park.
Mateo cups my chin and tips my face in his direction. “Never. There is no way I’d forget you. You’re one of a kind, Nessa. Always have been. I couldn’t forget you if I was an old Lolo in khakis up to my armpits and a short sleeve button-down open to my undershirt.”
I frown, confused by the end of that statement.
“Even when I’m an old man, like my Lolo, my grandpa, I couldn’t forget you,” he clarifies.
My chest pinches painfully. I’m in trouble.