Matchmaker - Chapter 35
Thursday
“You really don’t need to come with me,” I said as Tanner and I exited the elevator on James’ floor. “It’s kind of a private conversation.”
Tanner slapped me on the back. “There is no privacy between best friends. Besides, it’s on the way home. And I hate sitting in the car.”
Fair enough. I knocked on James’ door.
A second later, Scarlett opened it.
What the actual fuck? “Scarlett we talked about this. You’re not supposed to answer the door alone.”
She blinked up at me. “It was another accident.”
“Scarlett, you’re in big trouble…”
“Nuh uh, Uncle Matt. You’re in big trouble. Mommy said so.”
“Your mom said that?”
Scarlett nodded and then looked over at Tanner. “She talked about you too, Mr. Tanner.”
Tanner smiled. “Am I in trouble too?”
“No. She said you and Uncle Matt were…” Scarlett scrunched her face up as she thought. “I didn’t know the word. And I forgot it.”
“Like you forgot you’re not supposed to answer doors?” I asked.
Scarlett smiled. “Yes?”
Luckily for her, I had her back. She’d be safe now. At least from the Pruitts and Cannavaros. But from random strangers at the door? “Scar,” I said and crouched down to look at her. “How many times are we going to need to have this conversation?”
“Maybe…once more.”
“Stop opening up the door, kiddo.”
“I don’t think you’re allowed to tell me what to do, Uncle Matt. You’re not my daddy.”
“So you want me to tell your dad what you did?”
She stuck her hand out. “Deal.”
I’d taught her about the art of negotiation a few months ago. She didn’t quite get it. But I’m pretty sure she thought the deal was that I wouldn’t tell her dad. Not the deal she’d actually just accidentally made where I would tell him. “And you won’t do it again?”
“Deal.”
I shook her hand.
“Is that present for me?” She gestured to the gift bag I was holding.
“Not today.” I patted her head.
“Who’s it for?”
“Your dad.”
“Oh.” She sighed. “He’s working. I’ll get my mommy.” She ran off. “Mommy! Mommy! Uncle Matt is here!”
“Such a cute kid,” Tanner said. “Pretty terrible at the negotiation table though.”
I laughed. “Yeah, she could use some work in that area. And in the area involving telling the truth. Why does she keep saying she accidentally opened the door? You can’t accidentally do that.”
“Did you accidentally shove your tongue down this horrid woman’s throat?” Penny said as she stormed into the foyer. She lifted up a tabloid with a picture of Poppy and me kissing before hitting me with it. “She’s a Pruitt!”
I grabbed the tabloid out of her hand. “Technically she’s a Cannavaro…”
“Are you kidding me, Matt? You know what that family’s capable of. She just threatened my daughter and you’re making out with her?”
This was a funny misunderstanding. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t seem to wipe the smile off my face. Or maybe it was because I hadn’t stopped smiling since I asked Kennedy out. “I can see how that looks but…”
Tanner started laughing.
“And you,” Penny said turning to him. “Of all people, you should be upset about this too, Tanner.”
“Why me exactly?” Tanner asked. “I’ve never actually met the woman.” He lifted the tabloid from my hand. “She’s rather attractive, albeit apparently insane.”
Penny looked back and forth between us. “I don’t know what the hell is going on.
Or why you both look so happy. But Matt, I am so done with whatever mind games you’re playing.
Sending me on a wild goose chase trying to set you up with people when the whole time you were…
I honestly have no idea what you’re doing.
But you can’t come into my house if you’re seeing that woman. ”
“Penny,” James said as he joined us in the foyer. “I can handle this.”
“I’m serious, Matt,” Penny said, ignoring James. “She’ll never step foot in here. I don’t trust anyone from that family. And if you do, you’re completely insane.”
“Penny,” James said more sternly.
I’d never heard him talk to Penny like that.
His short temper was usually reserved for…
well, me . And I understood why what she said upset him.
He was worried that I’d be offended that Penny had said that family .
Because of Brooklyn. But honestly? I was just happy tonight. And the Pruitts did suck balls.
“Good luck,” Penny said to James. “He’s clearly lost his mind. Poppy Cannavaro. What is it with you men and evil brunettes from crime families?” She left the foyer as quickly as she had come in.
“Still a little touchy about what happened with Isabella, I see?” Tanner said. “It’s best to let things go, I always say.”
“Tanner, if you’ll excuse us, I need to have a word with Matt in private,” James said.
Every word that left his mouth made him look more and more agitated. I’d been on the other side of one of his fists before. And I didn’t feel like icing a black eye tonight. Kennedy would have too many questions about that.
“It’s fine,” I said. “Anything you want to say to me you can say in front of Tanner.”
Tanner nodded.
“Whatever you want,” James said. “Both of you come this way then.” He turned around and started walking toward his study.
Tanner looked at me.
I shrugged and we both followed him.
The lights were off in James’ study, and as soon as we stepped in, the door was slammed and locked behind us. Then the lights turned on.
James, Rob, and Mason were all sitting in a semi-circle staring at me.
“Um, what’s up, guys?” I asked. They were all looking up at me awkwardly. It felt like I’d just walked in on something really weird. “I thought guys’ night was tomorrow?” Actually, this was good. I could apologize to all of them at once. Wonderful.
“For fuck’s sake,” Rob said. “Who invited Tanner to the intervention?”
“Intervention?” I asked. I stared at them staring at me. Oh. I should have expected this. I’d been a fucking mess recently. But not tonight. Not now. So I just did the only thing I could do and laughed.
“Why are you laughing?” Rob asked. “This is serious.”
I tried to wipe the smile off my face to no avail. At least now I knew why James looked so serious. “And what exactly is this intervention for?”
“You being…sad,” Mason said. He was staring at the smile on my face that I couldn’t get rid of.
I shrugged. “Right, that. I’m good. Actually, I’m great.
I appreciate you guys worrying about me, but I’m seriously doing a lot better.
” I would have told them about Kennedy. But I wanted it to be a surprise when I brought her to guys’ night tomorrow.
It was a silly idea for our first date. It would make her smile though.
And that’s all I really cared about. She wouldn’t be impressed by a fancy dinner or anything. Kennedy wasn’t like that.
“Are you high or something?” Rob asked.
“Nope. I’ve had a few drinks, but I’m sober enough to know that I feel amazing. I actually came by to apologize to James, but now I can apologize to all of you, so this is perfect. But I wished I knew you were all coming because I only got an apology present for James.” I handed him the gift bag.
James just stared at me.
“What exactly are you apologizing for?” Rob asked.
“Great question. First off, I’m sorry that I made you all lie to your wives about Brooklyn ever existing. I shouldn’t have done that. Real shitty move on my part.”
Mason nodded.
“And for really not letting any of you talk about Brooklyn for all these years. Not talking about something doesn’t make those feelings just go away. I know she was a friend to all of you too. I wasn’t the only one that lost someone, and it was rather selfish of me to act like I was.”
Rob just stared at me like he still thought I was high.
“And I think I’m most sorry for the fact that I blamed you two for her death.
” I pointed at Rob and James. “That was ridiculous. Yes, the last time I saw Brooklyn alive I had a fight with her because of the prank you all pulled. I blamed you two for my last words to her. For making Brooklyn feel like she had no one on her side when she died. I just needed someone else to blame. Because I hate that I did that. I hate what I said to her. I hate that I left her. I promised her I would never walk away from us. I promised her. And I lied. I walked away and left her with Mr. Pruitt. I know it’s not your guys’ fault that she died.
Because it’s mine.” It’s my fucking fault.
Mason shook his head. “It’s not your fault.”
“It’s Mr. Pruitt’s,” Rob said.
I nodded, the smile suddenly gone from my face. “But if I’d stayed by her side…”
“Mr. Pruitt still would have found a way to get what he wanted from her,” James said.
“You know that. You never could have prevented Brooklyn from hanging out with her dad one-on-one. And I’m sorry that the two of you got in a fight because of what Rob and I did.
I truly am. And I’m sorry I wasn’t sober enough to make better choices back then.
I’m sorry that you were worried I’d take my own life.
I’m sorry I ever made you worry about that. ”
Mason and Rob were quiet.
“All of you,” James said. “I’m sorry, guys. I was in a bad place. But I never meant to drag any of you down there with me. I didn’t realize I was doing that.”
I was surprised James brought that up. I was supposed to be apologizing to him for snapping at him the other night. Not the other way around.