35. Matthew
35
MATTHEW
R ising out of bed, I ran my fingers through my hair. It was always wild, but I could tell it was also a bit matted. Better shower before Charlie complained about my untidiness. Cassie was too kind to comment on stuff like that, but Charlie never failed to seize any opportunity she had to torment.
I started the shower, filling Rocky’s food bowl while the water came to the proper temperature. I quickly showered, taking time to wash my hair. I got out, tying a towel around my waist and using another one to dry my hair. I hoped Cassie would bring me back one of the specialty French toast bagels. I loved those with extra powdered sugar.
Charlie reaching out and remembering her foster siblings existed was a much-needed distraction from the chaos of everything happening at Adams Point and with my adoptive parents. In fact, Charlotte’s silliness was probably exactly what we needed.
I did wonder why she suddenly reached out, but I chalked it up to teenage mood swings. I was certain we would hear an earful of whatever drama was going on in her neck of the woods. Once Charlie got talking, she never shut up.
I exited the bathroom, towel around my waist. Rocky lay on the rumpled sheets, resting. Not wanting to disturb him, I decided that making the bed would have to wait.
Stepping into my walk-in closet, I looked around and picked out casual clothes. Seeing my business wear, all neatly lined up, I toyed with the idea of donating it. I dismissed the idea since I may need the clothes for future job interviews. If I wasn’t blackballed from every company from here to California that was.
One day at a time .
I turned in the closet to see the section that held Cassie’s clothes. It was just a few staple pieces, but it made my heart warm when she agreed to leave a few things at the apartment.
Wherever she was would always be my home.
It made me emotional to think I had almost lost this.
Lucky bastard. I shook my head.
Once dressed in dark blue jeans and a white t-shirt, I left the room and closed the bedroom door, hoping to give Rocky a fair chance to rest. I just knew Charlie would waltz in like she owned the place, and any peace and quiet would come to an end.
Thinking of Cassie and our future reminded me of something I had been wanting to get out of the safe since we’d reunited. I opened my office door and then proceeded to punch in the code to my wall safe. Once the code was entered, I lifted the bar to open it. I shuffled the random things inside around: money, important documents, a few gold bars Wyatt gave me as a gift, cufflinks, and the most priceless item in there—Cassie’s locket.
The locket I gave her as a present all those years ago.
The very same locket I’d intended for Cassie to open on her eighteenth birthday. Inside was an inscription I had hoped would be the best part of the gift. Except she never got to see it because everything fell apart before she could.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the necklace on my palm. I couldn’t go back, only forward. This was our fresh start. A time for new beginnings.
I needed to tell her I kept it after all this time. I needed to put it back where it belonged.
Hopefully the memories attached to the time period I’d originally given it to her wouldn't cloud the meaning behind it.
The elevator dinged and I heard a noise followed by movement in the foyer. Cassie and Charlie must have been back with the bagels. I was filled with a mix of excitement and resignation—excitement to see and touch Cassie again; resignation that his foster sister would be merciless in her teasing. I listened to the shuffling and realized that the footsteps sounded louder than expected, the movements much less graceful.
Making my way out of the office, I peered around the corner but didn’t see anyone. I wasn’t far enough into the hall to get a clear view of the elevator doors, so I attempted to turn the corner. I looked to the side and noticed my bedroom door was still closed.
Before I could step in that direction, a gunshot rang out, a loud bang echoing through the apartment as bits of the ceiling rained down.
Startled by the sound, I spun around, coming face to face with an intruder. As soon as I did, a hard body slammed into me, as the guy charged, trying to force me back and shove his way into the office.
My first thought was that I needed to ensure Cassie and Charlie weren’t in the apartment, and god forbid, hurt, so I tried to get a look as the guy kept shoving. I couldn’t give a shit about the money or crap in the safe. I’d gladly turn it all over if it meant that my girl was alive and unharmed.
The attacker halted my movements, hitting me hard in the abdomen with his elbow, and I coughed from the blows. I had no choice but to stumble backwards, letting the assailant into the room. Spinning around, he positioned himself in front of the door, blocking the exit.
Harsh words were uttered into the air, the would-be robber waving his gun menacingly. Another gunshot exploded in the office, the sound deafening. I couldn’t register anything that was being said as pain ripped through my chest, bright red staining the white of my t-shirt as my legs started to give out.
I stumbled once more, this time falling to the ground into a crumpled heap. My ears rung, sound coming in and out, my vision growing unfocused. I couldn’t be certain, but I thought there may have been another gunshot, as fire clawed its way through my body. I gazed up and saw the intruder step over my prone body as he passed me on the floor.
I tried to regain my strength and stand.
I couldn’t move—I felt paralyzed.
I tried again, willing my body to get up. To do something. To check if there was anyone else home. To call for help, or to warn the girls to stay away.
Nothing worked. Everything felt heavy. My vision blurred more, everything turning dark as I struggled to keep my eyes open.
I gasped for air, willing my lungs to fill, but the pain in my chest was too much. I couldn’t breathe deeply no matter how much I tried. I coughed, and I thought liquid pooled in my throat.
Cassie .
Was she okay? She had to be okay.
I tried wiggling my fingers to no avail. I could no longer feel the locket I had been holding onto for dear life. As everything went dark, I envisioned the inscription inside:
“ Marry Me. Make us real .”