Chapter Fifteen #2
The wind was picking up lightly, just enough to give me goosebumps. I wrapped my arms around myself. “Feeling adventurous tonight?”
A single streetlamp allowed me to pick out the honest and desirable grin that flashed across Matt’s face. “Guess so.” Head raising, his grin slipped away as he caught sight of me. “Cold?”
“Just a little.”
Matt stopped in his tracks, causing me to do the same. In seconds, his heat was blazing from behind me as he draped his flannel around me.
That lovely cologne hit me again, even harder. Because this time, I was wearing it.
My stomach dipped in the slightest, and I stared at the ground as I adjusted the flannel, afraid that if he saw the look on my face right now, that he’d be able to read it for what it really was. “Thanks, Mattie.”
I kept purposefully taking deep breaths, all for the sake of getting another whiff. I couldn’t put my finger on what the smell even was, couldn’t liken it to anything in particular. All I knew was that it was driving my senses wild.
The drunken hollers of intoxicated college kids could be heard from down the block, and as we passed Stallions, there were groups of people everywhere, but I’d still never felt safer. There was an untouchable forcefield around me, put into place by Matt.
Crossing the street, I quietly continued following Matt’s lead. His steps were brisk, and he walked with purpose as if he knew exactly where we were heading.
But as I fell a few steps behind, there he was again, large hand placed on the center of my back to guide me across the street.
My breath hitched, and once more, I found the abandonment of personal space between us to be oddly satisfying. I knew the gesture had no deeper meaning, but I wanted his hand to stay there anyway. “Any idea where we’re going?”
“None,” he smirked, and I prayed he didn’t catch the disappointment that flashed across my face when a gust of cold air replaced his hand, leaving my skin burning beneath my clothing from missing his touch.
After another block, we came across a small shopping mall that I’d only ever been in once. There was an ice cream shop that I’d been meaning to go back to. They had the best cookie dough ice cream I’d ever had.
Suddenly, Matt stopped, glancing upwards. “Is that singing?”
Following his gaze, I cranked my neck back to read the sign. Pitcher Perfect.
I let out a giggle underneath my breath. What a clever ass name.
Screeching, horrible singing penetrated through the walls of the bar, and I’d never been more intrigued to see the inside of somewhere, even though the sound was making my ears bleed.
I asked, “Should we go in?”
Taking in the curiosity on my face, he smiled through a sigh. “Fuck it.”
Matt didn’t make it three steps in the door before his face screwed into bewilderment. The crease between his brows looked permanent as his pace slowed, becoming wary.
“What the hell is happening in here?”
Hands shooting up to my mouth, I suppressed a laugh. Whatever we had stumbled into was nothing like I’d ever seen before.
The bar was half the size of Stallions, and I didn’t know if they had some sort of old-town theme here considering the run-down wooden banisters and marquee that read off the drink specials.
But what was more noticeable was the dude dressed like Chewbacca that sauntered passed us, offering a wave and head tip like everything going on was normal.
With one sweep of the bar, I caught sight of a Darth Vader, a Mario and Luigi pair, a mermaid, and more.
A narrow stage, made up of slowly rotting wood, held a girl with a blue dress, wearing a wig of near-white braided hair. She was belting out “Let It Go” from Frozen, and honestly, she wasn’t half-bad.
Until she went to hit the high note.
And then my hand flew over my heart in distress.
The rest of the bar didn’t seem to mind it though. They sang right back at her, each person in perfect sync like they were letting out a cult chant rather than singing a Disney song.
Realizing that we were still guarding the entrance, Matt’s hand snuck around my waist, causing a shiver to skate down my spine. He escorted me over, holding me close enough to hear him over the chaos.
“Do you want to stay here?”
Eyes peering past him, my smile couldn’t be held back. “Kind of,” I laughed.
The searing heat of his palm stayed along my hip, eyes locked in on mine like I was more interesting to look at than anything else going on here. Through another stunning smile, Matt released a sigh. “Alright.”
I didn’t want to be the only reason we stayed. If Matt wanted to find somewhere else to go, then that was okay with me. I chuckled lightly. “You know, you can say no to me, Mattie.”
That got him to finally look away. He shielded his smirk. “No, I can’t.”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I peered up at him through an everlasting grin. “Then, will you sing karaoke with me?”
Matt shook his head, cracking laughter. “Absolutely not.”
Didn’t think so. I knew the chances were slim, but I had to take my shot anyway. Disappointment sprouted, shoulders slumping in defeat.
“Don’t give me that look,” Matt’s head tipped.
“What look?”
“You know what look,” he accused.
Whatever look he’d been referring to was gone now, completely replaced by an insidious grin that refused to be suffocated.
Even with the room being packed, and a million costumes to peer at, I couldn’t glance anywhere else.
It was like Matt was glowing through all the chaos.
The hair on my arms raised, goosebumps sticking to my skin from the expression he gave.
It was a simple look, a teasing look, but it somehow held so much behind it— heat, admiration, loyalty.
“Mattie, c’mon,” an animated whine left me when he turned, only making it two steps before barking over his shoulder with a playful ring.
“Eleanor Abigail, quit busting my balls.”
In Matt’s wake, I followed, drawn to him. Nearly running into him as he halted to a full stop, I froze. His expression was catastrophic, not with destruction, but with certainty. Each breath I let out burned as I waited for him to speak on whatever veiled thoughts were at the forefront of his mind.
“You know I’d do anything for you,” he said.
There was power behind his words, an oath in its purest form. He was studying me as if he’d commit a murder right now if I asked, and I believed him.
I know you would, I wanted to say. He’d proved time and time again that no limit existed for his loved ones. The words were clawing at the inside of my mouth, trying to fight their way out.
But the intensity was too much for me, and the only way that I knew out of it was to bring the vibe back to a jovial spot.
“You know, karaoke falls under the category of ‘anything.’”
His quick eye roll and smirk to match allowed me to breathe freely again. “I’d do almost anything. Minus karaoke.”
“Fine,” I pretended to groan.
Matt nodded once and once only. “Glad we’re finally on the same page.”