Chapter Three
MATT
The three of us arrive at Finlay’s with a security detail behind us. The pub’s not packed, but it is buzzing with the influx of people coming in after work.
We walk over to a booth, and Nate takes a seat.
As Alex walks off to the bar to grab us some drinks, I smirk.
Nate still looks shell-shocked at today’s events.
Sliding in next to him, he’s quiet and staring at his hands on the table.
Nate’s been so distant since Zaria left him.
I know he’s hurting. She was good for him, and they didn’t part on good terms—I’m still not sure why they ended it completely.
“Nate,” I murmur.
He looks up and fakes a smile. “Mmm…”
“You doing okay?”
He fake smiles again and nods. “Yeah, it’s been a big day. Would’ve liked to have been able to call Ria. Tell her how the opening went…” there’s a small pause, “… but I can’t.”
Frowning, I exhale. I’ve seen Nate torn up over girls before, but never like this. Mainly, it’s because they were a good lay but not much more. He never actually liked them and truly missed them. This is different because he cares about her… a lot.
It’s now evident how much Zaria’s leaving has affected him. He’s had such an outstanding day at the gallery, yet Nate’s still miserable.
“Bro, what’s stopping you from telling her? Just because you broke up doesn’t mean you can’t be friends. Right?”
He shakes his head. “I sent her our customary emoji message a few days ago, but I’ve heard nothing back. She doesn’t want to talk to me. If she did, she would’ve replied. We’re done.” He squeezes his eyes shut. “At least I get Alex in the breakup.”
We both look up and watch Alex walking over, showing skill and precision while carrying three huge pints of Guinness in her tiny hands.
“I’m a Guinness glass goddess, bitches. No one’s got skills like this girl. Am I right? Holla,” Alex exclaims, placing the glasses down on the table and then raising her hands in the air like she’s praising herself.
Nate rolls his eyes, and I grin before she picks up a glass and takes a long drink, the head from the beer smearing and leaving a white trail on her upper lip.
For a second, a brief moment, something in me wants to lick it off.
I open my eyes wide, wondering what the fuck that’s about, when she pulls the glass down, her tongue darts out and swipes her upper lip as she giggles.
“Man, I love the frothy part.” She laughs, and it makes my insides shudder.
What the hell is it with this chick?
“You’re in a pub surrounded by men and talking about frothy parts? You’re game, Alex,” I suggest, and she tilts her head.
“Well, maybe I like to live a little dangerously, Matthew. Here’s cheers to the frothy bits,” she yells the last part loudly, making everyone in the bar turn to look at us.
I duck down slightly, but don’t ask me why, as there’s nowhere to hide.
Everyone cheers loudly, and Nate chuckles.
At least he’s laughing. It’s definitely something he needs to do more.
She takes another long gulp of her stout, smiling at all the men who now have their attention firmly on her. I understand why. She’s beautiful, but she also has an edgier side. One that will always have people looking while judging her in one way or another.
Nate picks up his beer and starts to drink, so I do the same.
“So Natesicles… you have work to do, and I… being the best thing in your life right now…” she smirks, “… need to do my job and sell, sell, sell. We got this,” she proclaims, sliding into the seat and tapping his leg.
“Yeah. I’m gonna put all my spare time into painting more pieces, and with your…” he tilts his head with a sly smirk, “… charm and charisma…” he raises his eyebrows up and down, “… selling my stuff seems to come easy to you.”
She scoffs. “Nate, the paintings do all the work. I just raise the price a bit ’cause, y’know… I’m certified delulu, but it works!” she says with a shit-eating grin.
“What?” Nate scoffs.
She giggles, rolling her eyes. “Relax, I’m joking. Well, except for that one walking ego who thought he was Picasso reborn. I cranked the price, he paid an extra five hundred, and I slept like a baby. Moral of the story? Never doubt my villain era.”
I burst out laughing while Nate shakes his head. “I can’t tell if you’re joking or not,” Nate remarks.
Alex grins, taking another sip of her stout, and shrugs, looking at me with a sly wink.
I’m pretty sure she isn’t. Sly little minx.
“So, Alex, how did you meet an A-lister like Zaria?” I ask.
She swallows hard, and I watch her cocky exterior falter slightly.
Alex looks across to Nate, who also winces, and I furrow my brows. That’s when I mentally kick myself for bringing up Zaria. She’s not only a sore subject for my brother, but obviously, the way Alex and Zaria met must be a touchy subject too.
Goddammit! “You know what, that’s none of my business,” I quickly add. She waves her hand through the air, a bright smile back on her face, and she shakes her head like it was nothing.
“No, it’s all good. I met Ria at a women’s shelter where I was staying.
She came in as part of her charity work, and we hit it off right away.
We kept in contact after she left and remained friends.
Ria helped me get back on my feet. Actually, she helped me a lot, to be honest. Without her, I wouldn’t have my apartment, and I wouldn’t have been able to finish my schooling.
Shit! Without her, I might not even be here if I’m being really truthful… ” she trails off, looking pensive.
Nate grimaces like he expected as much while I sit back in my seat and exhale with a slight nod. “Sounds like Zaria really pulled you from a tight spot.”
“You have no idea.”
I want to ask. The idea that she was in a women’s shelter in the first-place rings alarm bells for me. There’s obviously a story there. Was she a runaway? Was she abused? I have no idea. But I want to find out. Now, though, this is not the right time. Tonight is about celebrating.
“Okay, so congratulations are in order.” I raise my glass. “To my moody artistic twin, who’s freaking awesome in the art world as well as music. Who knew he was so fucking gifted?” I raise my glass higher as he chuckles.
“Did you just compliment me?” Nate asks, raising his glass.
“Take it while they’re coming. Who knows if I’ll be this nice ever again,” I reply, and Alex lets out a stifled laugh.
“I get the feeling, Matt, that you’re nicer than you let on. You’re a big squishy teddy bear deep down, right?” She waggles her eyebrows at Nate, who chuckles and fist-bumps her.
“Hey, no gang-ups,” I demand, and they both chuckle.
“Excuse me,” a soft voice chimes from behind me.
I turn to see a brunette bombshell with, I’m guessing, her friend standing there, shyly staring at us.
Her cute button nose complements her face perfectly as she smiles, making the dimple in her left cheek sink in even further.
I inhale sharply as Nate clears his throat, and I continue to gape at the beauty before me.
“Um… hi,” Nate replies casually.
The brunette beauty looks at me and gives her best shy expression as her fingers dig into the pleats of her white skirt, in what I’m guessing is nerves. “Hi, um… sorry to bother you, but we saw you, and you look so much like them, so we had to ask.”
My stomach deflates a little that she came over, not because she’s interested, but because they obviously know who we are. I glance up to see our security detail, watching cautiously. I give them a nod to let them know we’re okay, and they keep their distance.
Alex rolls her eyes and sinks into her chair, taking a long gulp, looking uncomfortable. I glance over to Nate to see how he wants to play this. It’s his night, so I’ll take his lead.
He half-smiles and looks to the beauty’s friend.
“If you promise not to make a scene, we’ll take some photos with you and sign something if you like,” he tells her, and both of their eyes light up as though we’ve given them the best gift ever.
They both bounce up on their toes, trying to hide their excitement.
A part of me dies inside as I watch the brunette.
I wonder if I can ever land a girl. She has the look I’m after—the elegance, the shy demeanor—but she knows who I am.
Fuck! Half the world knows who I fucking am.
So how the hell am I going to find a chick who doesn’t want me for the glory that comes along with being with a rock star?
Or the money that’s attached to my wallet?
The two girls squeeze into the seats between Nate and me, and I let out a small sigh. Suddenly, all the happiness and fun from tonight have vanished.
“Here, can you take a pic for us, pretty please?” the beauty asks Alex.
I inwardly sigh that she even has outstanding manners.
The girl’s a fucking winner.
“Sure,” Alex responds, taking her cell. I can’t help but notice that Alex is not smiling or looking overly impressed as we pose for the pictures. Once the girls get situated, cuddling into us, Alex snaps away, taking more than enough.
“I really love your music, guys. I’m such a big fan,” her friend says to Nate, and I sink a little further into myself.
“Thanks, we love bringing the music we make to our fans. It’s awesome you like our sound,” Nate explains, and they both nod.
“Oh, we do, so much. Are Danger and Ryan coming here, too?” her friend asks.
“Nah, not tonight. Sorry.” Nate shrugs.
They both smile. “Oh no, don’t be sorry. Meeting Nate and Matt from Recoil is amazing! You have no idea,” the beauty responds.
“What are your names?” Nate asks.
“Trish,” her friend answers.
“Annabelle,” the beauty replies.
Fuck. Even her name screams shy, sophisticated, and innocent.