8. Evie #2
“Well, to make things easier, I think it’s best you stay with Caleb and me. There’s already so much change happening in your life, you don’t need the added stress of trying to move again.”
“That’s true. I wouldn’t want to move in with roommates again anyway and I can’t get a place on my own without a job.” I let the sight of the lake calm the anxiety in me as the long list of everything I have to tackle piles up. “I have no idea what career path I want to pursue, though.”
Leaning back on his elbows, Matteo says, “We can break it down. Do you want to work for a paycheck or for passion?”
I turn my head to the side, the lake disappearing as I’m sucked into the forest of his eyes. “That’s a good starting point and question.”
The corner of his lip tugs upwards into a lopsided grin. “Haven’t you heard? I’m full of wisdom.”
As that look enters his gaze, I distract myself quickly from the warmth pooling in my belly by grabbing a leaf beside me and tearing it into small pieces.
“I’d say passion. I worked for a paycheck for over four years and it wasn’t fulfilling.
I want to feel like the work I do leaves an impact.
I want to help people.” Blowing out a frustrated sigh, I throw some of the pieces of the leaf into the wind.
“Fuck, maybe I got the wrong degree in college.”
“There’s plenty of jobs you could do that don’t require a four-year degree.”
“Like what?”
Matteo’s lips purse slightly. He shifts, hanging his arms over his knees, the sun shining along his gorgeous bronze skin. “You could get certifications and become a support worker.”
“That’s a great option. Keep brainstorming, wise old man.”
That has him frowning. “I’m only two years older than you.”
“Still old,” I sing-song.
“Youth worker?”
“Also a good contender.” Biting my lower lip, I glance at Matteo, only to find his eyes already on me—more precisely, on my lip between my teeth.
“I want to help as many people as I can, though. Not just a limited amount of people or a certain demographic.” Snapping upright, I click my fingers, a smile blossoming. “A dispatch caller!”
Matteo’s brows rise. “That certainly will help all kinds of people.”
“I’m great in a crisis—” I hold up a finger at the look on his face. “That isn’t my own. My problems right now shouldn’t be in the equation.”
What I’m going through right now is different. My memories have forced me to come to terms with a completely alternative reality. I don’t blame my mind for wanting to switch off for a short period of time.
“Dove, do you really think you could handle such a high-stress job?”
I arch a brow. “Rude, but yes. It’s not the same but my job before was high pressure.
I was managing people’s money and not little amounts either.
One wrong move and millions could be flushed down the toilet.
” The more I think about it, the more determination sets in.
“I’d love to help people. To try and bring as much calm to a chaotic situation as I can, to be a gentle and kind voice during someone’s worst day of their life. ”
Matteo watches me with a spark in his eyes. “I think you’ve found what you want to do, Dove.” He lowers his voice, his gaze growing serious. “And for the record, I do believe you can do it. I think you’ll make a great dispatcher.”
“Thanks, Valenti.” I wave my hand around us. “For everything.”
“Can I record you saying that?”
I whack his shoulder. “Absolutely not! And you’ll never hear me say it again.”
“Stubborn.”
“Arrogant.”
“How can I not be arrogant when I was right all along?”
Pursing my lips, I roll my eyes and move the subject away. “How come you haven’t been training, by the way? Don’t you guys still have to keep up during the off-season?”
“I have been.”
My frown is swift and sudden. “I haven’t seen you leave the apartment.”
“You have been sleeping in until noon, and even then, you only make a quick appearance for coffee. I train morning and afternoon.”
“Oh.” I don’t know why that makes me feel so dejected, that I’ve had my head so far up my ass I didn’t even notice Matteo leaving for hours at a time.
Damn, I really did turn into a sewer rat.
“Tomorrow is the team’s weekly family barbeque. Caleb obviously isn’t going—”
My nose wrinkles. “Probably fucking everything that moves in Greece.”
“You said it, not me.” He chuckles at the face I pull. “You should come, though. The girls are really great. I think you’d get along with them.”
“Is Cindy still dating Asher?”
“Yep.”
“Fuck yes,” I cheer. “God, I love that woman. She’s a force to be reckoned with.”
“So, that’s a yes?”
“Will there be alcohol?”
“Grayson’s sober now so the boys don’t drink at the family dinner’s in solidarity, but Cindy always smuggles wine in for the girls.”
Whistling low I murmur. “Shit, I didn’t know he got sober.”
Matteo smiles, a full toothy one that has my stomach fluttering. “He’s been sober for nearly two years now. I’m so proud of him.”
“That’s a huge accomplishment.” Huffing sarcastically, I wave my hand in the air. “Fine, booze or no booze, I’ll come.”
Matteo sits up taller, stretching out his lower back. “Cindy will be pleased. You two have a lot to catch up on.”
“I’m sure she’s going to love telling me everything that’s happened while I’ve been away.”
“Every second of it.” He cocks his head, conversation turning earnest. “Speaking of, I said it earlier, but I really want you to know that you can tell me anything, that whatever has you spiraling, you can share it with me and I won’t tell anyone.”
“I find it hard to believe you wouldn’t tell Caleb.”
Especially with something like this.
I don’t think anyone would be able to just sit on what I’m keeping close to my chest.
Although, apparently if you’re my shitty ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend, it’s easy to not do anything about it. That should have been the biggest red flag out of everything they ever did. Because if the roles were reversed, I’d burn the world down seeking revenge.
And isn’t it sad that I’d do that for everyone else, yet not myself?
The way Matteo’s eyes pierce mine feels as if he’s making a promise to my soul as he murmurs, “If you asked me not to tell anyone, I wouldn’t. I’d never break my vow to you.”
I don’t know when it happened, but that invisible string between us pulled without either of us noticing, because we’re just inches away from one another when I whisper, “Good thing I don’t have to put that to the test.”
“What is it about this secret that has you locking it up and throwing away the key?”
“No one would be able to handle it. I myself can’t.”
Matteo shakes his head, frustration bubbling to the surface, but it’s not aimed at me. “I can handle it, Dove. Why do you think I can’t?”
Licking my suddenly dry lips, I choose to give him a sliver of the truth. “Because if I told you, you’d end up committing murder.”