Chapter 16 Danny
DANNY
Ilean on the counter in Matt’s garage, nursing a lukewarm Gatorade and trying not to look like a guy completely unraveling over one night with his ex.
“What thing?”
“The stare into space and try not to look like you're in love with your ex thing.”
I snort. “I’m just tired.” I finish the Gatorade and throw it in the garbage, taking in the car in front of me.
When Matt’s uncle died, he left it to his dad.
But knowing how much Matt really loved that car, Kylie got it running and cleaned up to surprise him during the National Wine Day Event.
It was a flashback in time, seeing him driving it again.
“This car is looking better and better every day.”
“Mm. Runs like a beast, too.” He slams the hood shut and gives me a look. “Anyway, you don’t get that face from being tired.”
“It is when you teach fourth grade and have your best friend's kid in the class.”
He scoffs. “Liam probably runs that class better than you do.”
I chuckle and cross my arms across my chest. “He’s nine going on nineteen. You should be afraid.”
“That’s why I have Kylie. She’ll handle it.” He grins. “But back to you. That face,” he points at me, “is the face of a man who spent the night with his ex and is now being told he can’t do it again.”
“I mean, I didn’t ask if we could do it again.”
Matt lets out a low whistle. “So, you want to do it again? Even after all the hostility you always get from her?”
“She doesn’t give me that when we’re alone.”
He grabs two folding chairs from the corner and tosses one my way, as he drops into his.
“I’m going to say something and you're not going to like it. Kylie won’t either, so if you repeat it, I’ll deny it.
” I raise a brow and sit. “If she treats you one way in public and another when you’re alone, that’s a red flag, man. ”
“If I say you don't know her like I do, does that sound toxic?” He laughs, and I do too, scrubbing my face with my hand.
“So? What happened?”
“I walked her home. We talked. It felt like the past but better. Like, we actually knew what we were doing this time.”
“Did you?”
I laugh under my breath. “I thought so. Until this morning.”
Matt studies me for a moment. “So, how do you feel?”
I close my eyes for a second. I think about waking up next to her, seeing her hair a mess.
Even with her walls in place, all of it made me want to stay.
I wasn’t looking to pick a fight for a reaction, but she was definitely questioning herself.
Maybe we just need more time to figure that part out.
“Like I’m walking a tightrope blindfolded.
She’s hot and cold, but I don’t think she wants to bolt completely from me. ”
Matt nods. “You sure it’s not just ‘old times’?”
“No,” I mutter. “It’s her. Still her. Always her.”
He exhales. “You gonna tell her that?”
I stand and fold my chair up. “Eventually.”
“Before or after the gala?”
I grin. “Depends on how much of the seating chart she makes me proofread.”
Matt chuckles. “To second chances. Or whatever it is you’re doing.”