17. Grace
What the hell is happening right now? My family have decided they need to make Matt aware of my plans to go up to Boston and talk with my dad and explain what’s really going on. Reginald Miller is a man who you don’t just call up on the phone and tell your great ideas to. Nope, he is the man who you schedule an appointment with so that he takes you seriously.
Looking at Matt, I do feel a little guilty for not telling him, but after the weekend that we had, I honestly forgot about it.
“Who told you that?” I ask.
“I’ll give you one guess, but I’m sure you don’t even need it. But you do need to tell me what’s going on. I thought we were in this together. Yet you’re keeping this from me,” Matt says, a little more aggressively than I care for. Which makes my claws come out. I don’t even want to wait for him to tell me why he”s acting like a dick right now.
“Okay. Listen to me very carefully then.
“One—I don’t have to tell you my every waking move. Let’s make that clear right now. Fake marriage or not.
“Two—I’m going to see my father and attend a fundraiser for my cousin while I’m there. You’re gone for a long stretch that weekend, so I figured it would be as good a time as any.
“So if you think you have some claim over me because of this weekend, then you, Cowboy, are mistaken. It’s gonna take more than a few orgasms to make me bend that easily. I’ve spent my whole life being told where to be and how to dress. Until I came to North Carolina, I wasn’t even able to go out without someone following behind me to make sure I was safe. So you, my husband, can back up about five steps.”
“Woman, all I asked was whether you’re going to Boston. I said nothing about making you bend to my will or controlling you. And I damn sure ain’t going to start treating you like some mafia princess when you leave the house. I’m a good ole boy from NASCAR for hell’s sake. But I do think I deserve to know that you’re going up there,” he replies after I’ve finished my rant.
Sitting on my bed, I stare down at my hands. Yes, Matt is right—he did deserve to know that I won’t be at his race. But I just couldn’t find the words to tell him that over the last few days.
Playing with my beautiful ring, it makes me smile a little as I look over at Matt. He’s trying to be so serious and in control, but I can see the man who I’m falling for breaking free the longer we sit in silence. I know that all I need to do is use my power of persuasion on him if I want to get what I want. But did I want to play that card on this or save it for another day?
Looking over at him once more, I decide to be an adult and have the conversation. Which I both love and hate since I know that we’re making progress in our “I don’t know what.” Friendship? Fake Marriage? Who the hell really knows because we’ve blurred the damn line, and I’m starting to be okay with it.
I take a deep breath and turn to face him.
“Matt, I know that I should have done this differently, but honestly, I didn’t want you to have to endure my father. You think I’m scary. Ha ha, who do you think taught me? I can tell you for damn sure, it wasn’t my mother; she’s as sweet as they come. She makes my teeth hurt.”
“I know you feel like you need to do everything alone, and I get it, really I do. Hell, you’re the one who decided to put this in motion by putting a ring on my finger. But I don’t want you to feel like I’m not with you,” he says.
“Cowboy, that may be the sweetest thing you could say, but this is something I need to do for myself—by myself. I need to explain to him exactly what’s going on and why. He doesn’t need to read any more papers and make judgments about me, and especially not about you.
“It’s a quick trip. I”ll meet with him on Friday, and then my cousin, Cort, is having a fundraiser for his baseball team. He”s the GM for now because he’s retired and living with Dylan and her sweet baby.” I can’t help but laugh at that to myself. I would never have dreamed that Cort would have ended up with the life he has now, but he couldn’t be happier, and the family that he has around him and his kid is amazing.
“Next time you think it’s a great idea to keep things from me, just remember that I’m not the enemy, okay? That’s all I ask,” he utters, reaching over to kiss my forehead before pulling away and walking toward the door. “Your dad may think that you’ve embarrassed the family name with this stunt, but just know right now that I will always be on your side no matter what.”
Well hell, just when I think he’s going to go all freak-out mode, he does the most swoon-worthy thing with that forehead kiss. Damn him.
Standing up and going back to the bathroom, I finish getting ready for bed. I pull on one of Matt’s shirts, and those butterflies are back in my stomach once again. I think I may be falling for my fake husband. The only problem is, am I willing to risk my heart with someone who I’m not even sure could give me his in return?
Walking to my bed, I go to pull the comforter back but come to a stop when Matt appears in my doorway in nothing but those damn gray sweatpants that he wears so well, showing off those deep V lines that make me weak.
“Red, don’t even think about sleeping in that bed anymore. First thing in the morning you’re bringing all your stuff into my room from here on out,” he states in his husky Southern voice, making those butterflies appear once again.
Looking at him, I bring out the sass because, let’s face it, the man loves that more than the sweet version of me that I was today.
“Is that right, sir?” I purr, putting my hand on my hips and bunching his shirt up so that he can see I have some of the smallest panties that I could find on. I thought about wearing none, but then thought this might be funnier in case he came back to my room. And I’m glad I did.
“Red.” He growls my nickname and comes to stand in front of me.
“Get that gorgeous ass to my room now.” He gives me one more chance to go willingly before I know he’ll go all cave dweller and carry me.
I peck him quickly on the cheek and sway my hips more than I would normally as I head out of my bedroom and into his.
I call over my shoulder as I get to his room, “You coming, Cowboy, or are you just going to stand in there with your dick hard as a rock for me?” I giggle to myself when he comes charging into the bedroom, throwing me onto the bed.