Chapter Six
MATT
My eyes open slowly as I wake from a peaceful sleep.
The details of my dreams elude me, but one thing lingers—they were painted entirely in shades of aqua.
Strange. Stretching out in bed, I roll onto my side, arms reaching wide as I let out a long, exaggerated yawn.
A lazy smile tugs at my lips as I reach for my phone on the nightstand.
With a quick swipe, the screen unlocks, and I tap on the Lovepessimist app.
A notification pops up—a new message from Jacqueline.
Curiosity piqued, I open it without hesitation.
Jacqueline: Hi Matthew,
I’m really glad you messaged. And don’t worry… everyone’s new to this at some point.
I liked your profile, you seem like someone who knows what he wants and actually goes after it, which is rare. Your photo caught my eye too, there’s something a little mysterious about it, and I kind of love that.
The fact that you play music is a bonus. My family’s big on music too, even though I work with horses now, my dad’s a breeder out in Bakersfield, and that’s where I’m based as well.
Anyway, I’ve rambled enough. I’d really like to keep chatting.
xo, Jacqueline
She seems to have a solid family background and a stable life—at least, that’s the impression I’m getting. She doesn’t live too far either, just a couple of hours away, which is manageable. So far, I like what I see, and with that thought, I type my reply.
Me: Morning :)
Love that you’re into music… it’s basically my whole world, so that’s a solid start for us.
Horses, though? Gotta admit, that’s new territory for me. I don’t know much, but I’m down to learn if you’re teaching.
Also, your profile pic? Stunning. The horse’s cool, but you definitely steal the spotlight.
What’s on for today? Anything fun, or just surviving the grind?
With a pep in my step, I roll off the bed and start my day. After getting dressed, I head downstairs to Nate, who’s already pouring our cereal. He looks at me and smirks as I continue to peer down at my cell.
“Everything okay? It’s not like you to be late for breakfast.”
“Sorry, was answering my messages… from my future wife.”
Nate raises an eyebrow and scoffs. “Um… come again?”
“Okay, so that might be rushing it, but she seems great,” I tell him as Jacqueline messages back.
Jacqueline: Already hitting me with the cheesy one-liners? Bold move.
I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a little flattery.
Nothing too wild today… just the usual grind. You?
“So, that’s who has your attention right now, I’m guessing?” Nate asks, and I slowly look up from my cell to him as he smirks.
“Huh?”
“Is that her?” he asks, nodding to my cell.
“Oh, yeah,” I state and go about typing a reply.
I chuckle to myself, then keep taping away.
Me: Oh, I’m all about the cheese. Stick around and I might even throw in some extra cheddar if you’re lucky.
Heading into work too. No clue what the day’s gonna bring, but with my crew, it’s never boring.
A smirk tugs at my lips as I hit send, fully aware I mean Danger and Ryan, though there’s no way she’ll catch the reference. Across the room, Nate munches on his cereal, his eyes flicking to me with casual curiosity.
“So, you still haven’t told her who you really are, have you?” he asks, spoon halfway to his mouth.
I ignore his jab, the corner of my mouth twitching as my phone buzzes with her reply. Without missing a beat, I focus on the screen, tuning him out as he shovels another bite of cereal like it’s his full-time job.
Jacqueline: Sounds like your job keeps things interesting… never a dull moment, huh?
You’ll have to tell me more about what you actually do sometime.
Anyway, random question of the day… what’s your favorite fruit?
A laugh bursts out of me, loud and unrestrained, as Nate shakes his head in mock disbelief. Ignoring him, I start furiously typing a reply, my fingers flying over the screen.
He rinses his bowl in the sink, turning back with a knowing smirk. “I’m done talking,” he says, grabbing his keys. “I’ve got to head to the gallery. Just… try not to get too caught up too fast, okay?”
His words hang in the air, a mix of concern and teasing, but I wave him off without looking up, already lost in my reply.
“Yeah, yeah, go to work. I gotta go into the office anyway to catch up with the boys and Oliver. I’ll see you tonight.”
After I hit send, I grab my keys and walk out of the house. Sliding into my car, I try to keep off my cell while I drive to the office even though the urge is strong. But as soon as I get there, I recheck my messages to see if another has arrived, and I quickly reply as I walk through the halls.
Stepping into the kitchen where Lunar and Danger are standing, I turn to them while putting my cell down for a moment. “Hey, what’s happening today?” I ask.
“Not a hell of a lot, actually. Tillie has called a meeting to discuss a new marketing campaign she wants to develop. She’d like Nate to be here, but she knows with the gallery that he’s needed there and that you’re kinda his proxy vote in all this shit.
So yeah, I think that’s on the agenda today,” Danger answers, and I nod.
My cell alerts me to another incoming message from Lovepessimist. Jacqueline tells me to please call her Jaci and explains in more detail what she has planned for the day.
Danger and Lunar look at me and chuckle. “What’s going on there, Matty Moo? That cute grin you have going on tells me that’s not Nate you’re messaging,” Lunar teases.
“Nah, definitely not Nate. It’s a chick I met last night.”
“Oh, where?” Lunar asks excitedly.
“The internet,” I explain while still typing into my cell.
The general lack of conversation thrown back at me as the room falls silent makes me look up. They are staring at me with furrowed brows and quizzical looks. “What?” I ask.
“The internet?” Danger questions his voice rising slightly on the last word.
“Yeah, Lovepessimist dot com.”
They both stare at me, expressions shifting as if they’re trying to decide whether I’m joking. With an exaggerated sigh, I roll my eyes and turn my phone around to show them the app. Their gazes lock onto the screen, and their eyes widen even more in unison.
“Matt, seriously? You’re a celebrity rock star. You can have any girl that walks in off the street, and you’re resorting to the damn internet?” Danger asks, that inflection there again.
Lunar scoffs, smacking him over the back of the head.
“What?” Danger asks, looking at Lunar.
“Matt, what Danger means to say is finding a girl comes a lot easier for guys like you. Why are you resorting to the internet?”
I shake my head. “See, that’s where you’re wrong.
Finding a particular type of girl is easy for a guy like me.
Finding the girl I want? Well, that’s a lot harder.
The girls that come with being famous, yeah, they’re not the girls I want to have hanging off my arm.
You know… groupies, women in the industry, I don’t want one like that.
No. I want someone who doesn’t want me for my fame.
Someone who wants me for me and not for who I am or what I can do for them. ”
“We get that, we do, but there are other ways.” Danger runs his fingers through his hair. “The internet? People on there are going to know who you are, Matt.”
“Eventually, but not as they get to know me. They will know me for me. Like me for the person I am before they find out who I really am. See how it works?”
“So you’re basically catfishing them? But in a kinda reverse way, because you actually are the celebrity.” Lunar giggles.
I shrug. “I suppose, but I’ll make them like my personality so much that they won’t care, and they’ll just accept me for me when they do eventually find out.”
“This is a big risk, Matt.” Danger sighs.
“If anyone has shown me love is worth the risk, it’s you and Lunar. Fuck, even Ryan and Tillie put it all on the line for love. Why can’t I do the same?”
“Just be careful, okay?” Danger instructs.
“Of course, I’m the wise twin, remember.”
“Hmm… debatable at times,” Lunar quips, poking me in the ribs, and I chuckle as we all walk into the boardroom.
Tillie, Ryan, and Oliver are already seated, and Oliver is busy looking over his cell while Tillie’s typing on her MacBook. Danger, Lunar, and I walk in, take our seats, and the meeting gets started.
Tillie looks up, placing her hands together on the table in front of her, and looks up. “I would like to try some new marketing strategies with the group since the release of “I’ll Take Your Breath Away” is still soaring. We don’t want it to plummet. We need to keep up the momentum.”
I was a little concerned about Nate not being here for this meeting, but now we’re talking about this song, I’m glad he’s not because talking about it will only make him think of the film clip and, therefore, Zaria.
He’s already struggling as it is, so it’s better he stays away from it for the moment until the hype dies down.
My cell buzzes in my hand, and I look down at another message from Jaci, which I subtly look at under the table while Tillie continues to talk, but I’ve zoned her out.
Jacqueline: So if you like pineapple as a fruit, why not on a pizza?
I smile and type back.
Me: I don’t know… fruit on pizza just feels wrong, you know?
Jacqueline: Oh really? Explain tomato then, genius…
Me: …………
Jacqueline: HA! Knew it. First pizza we order is getting extra pineapple.
Me: Fine, but I’m not backing down on pepperoni. Pizza without pepperoni is like the ocean without water.
Jacqueline: Fair. Deal. Wait… aren’t you supposed to be in a meeting right now?.
Me: Uh… I am.
Jacqueline: I really hope you’re paying attention.
“Matt! Are you paying attention?” Tillie asks, and I look up to see everyone staring at me, raising their brows.
“Sorry… what?”
“What’s the vote for you and Nate, Matt. Yes or no?”
I have absolutely no idea what she’s talking about, so I simply nod. “Ah… yes?” I say as more of a question than an answer, as I have no fucking idea what I’m agreeing to.
“Really? That’s surprising. Everyone else said no,” Tillie says, looking confused.
I take in a sharp breath. “Shit! Sorry. What’s the vote for?”
“Matt, you need to take this seriously. This is important business we’re discussing here,” Tillie berates sternly, and I nod, putting my cell down with a sigh.
“You’re right. Just, um… what was the question?”
“Do we want to put the single up on Spotify as a free download for a limited time?”
My eyes widen. “Ah… no. Sorry. That’s a definite no.”
“That’s what I thought. And Nate would be a no to that, too?”
“Yes. His vote would be a no.”
“Well, we’re pretty much done. You can go back to your cell conversation. I only need to talk to Oliver now. You guys can go and rehearse or write or whatever it is you do while you’re here,” she states.
I look at Ryan and curl up my nose in apology as Tillie goes back to her MacBook.
“Sorry, Till,” I apologize again. She forces a small smile and focuses back on the work in front of her as I stand, along with Ryan, Danger, and Lunar, and we head out of the room toward the studio.
“Sorry, Ry, I didn’t mean to piss her off.”
“Nah, it’s all good. Till’s just stressed. She’s trying to figure out ways to keep the momentum going. Till just wants the song not to plateau, and she’s putting way too much pressure on herself.”
“Maybe you should help relieve some of her tension, hey, fucker? You really need to take her to that shop on Wilks and Third. Danger, and I swear by it,” Lunar says, making me chuckle.
“Thanks, Lunar, but I can keep her satisfied without the bondage. Trust me, we’re fine in that department.”
My phone vibrates in my hand, and I bring it up to see another message from Jaci. I read it as we arrive at the studio and grin widely while typing my reply.
An image of Alex suddenly flashes in my mind, and I wonder how she’s doing with her internet dating saga, so I send off a quick text message to see how she’s faring.
Me: Hey, Alex. How’s the dating app chaos treating you? Any hits? Or are you still leaving people on read like a pro?
I grab my stool next to the amp hooked up to my bass while Ryan and Danger mess around doing whatever it is they do. My phone buzzes with a message from Alex.
Alex: Hey, Matty Moo! I’ve had a couple of pessimistic winks so far. A few cute guys, but I haven’t actually messaged anyone yet. Feels weird making the first move.
Me: C’est la vie, Alex. You should totally message first… guys love it when a girl takes the lead.
Alex: There’s this one guy I could message. He seems okay…
She sounds unsure, so I try to nudge her along.
Me: Go for it! I’ve been messaging Jaci all day, and it’s going great. You could have that too… just gotta take the leap.
Alex: Okay, I will. Side note… Nate’s working late tonight, so want to come over for takeout? We can compare notes on our LovePessimist matches and hang out.
A grin spreads across my face before I can stop it. The thought of spending the evening alone with her sends a few nervous flutters through my stomach. Not sure what that’s about, so I shove it aside.
Me: Yeah, sounds good. I’ll swing by after six-thirty.
Alex: Perfect. See you then!