Chapter 19
Nineteen
“Whoever came up with the idea for this place must’ve been on drugs,” Aiden said from across the table.
Sipping his drink, Matt scanned the room. While he knew a fair number of the people dancing to an old Whitney Houston song and enjoying drinks, he’d yet to see anyone he’d consider a friend.
“It’s probably hot right now because it’s so different,” he said.
“Maybe you and I should open a place and combine music from today with an interior from — the 50s.”
“Don’t see it working.”
“How about if it resembles a disco?” Aiden asked.
Matt shook his head. “It’s your crazy idea. You do what you want. I have no desire to own a nightclub.” He gestured toward Anderson, who was walking toward their table. “Pitch your idea to him. Maybe he’ll bite.”
“Hey, I thought you were in Maine,” Anderson said as he sat.
“I’m only here for a few days.”
Other people would’ve asked why he was in town. Not Anderson. Having spent almost twenty years in the spotlight, he valued his own privacy and respected that of others.
Anderson turned to Aiden. “What’s the idea you should pitch to me?”
“I suggested we open a club that resembles a 70s disco but plays the latest music.”
“Every club is playing the current stuff, but a disco theme might work. We could pair it with music from the 90s.” Anderson rested his forearms on the table and wrapped his hands around his drink, scanning the room as if imagining it.
“Yeah, I think that could work. If you’re free next week, let’s get together and flesh out the details. I’ll talk to Paul and see if he wants in.” He glanced across the table. “Are you in, Matt?”
“That’s a hard no.”
Shrugging, Anderson turned his attention back to Aiden. “Is there a day that works for you?”
“Monday afternoon?”
“Works for me,” Anderson replied. “So, has Ryan talked to you yet?”
“Briefly. I’m meeting with him on Wednesday.”
With CJ and Anderson in the film, it was guaranteed to be a success. Plus, with them around, filming would be a lot of fun. Still, he was reluctant to agree to anything right now.
“You can’t turn it down. Barkley wrote the role for you.”
“Ryan said the same thing. I need more details before⒈／⒋ shit.”
The day was going downhill fast. First, he got his ass handed to him by his brother on the green; now his ex was here.
“What’s wrong?” Aiden asked.
“Jasmine is here.”
“Maybe she won’t see you.”
He couldn’t be that lucky. “She’s headed this way.”
Aiden started to turn but stopped when Matt kicked his shin. “Is Ellie with her?” he asked.
Ellie Baker had found fame before her tenth birthday, and her career had been going strong ever since. His brother, like a lot of other guys, had grown up with a thing for her.
“You’re the last person I expected to see here tonight. Do you mind if we join you? There aren’t many empty places to sit,” Jasmine said.
Across the table, Anderson shrugged, while Aiden shot him a “don’t you dare turn them away” glare.
“Of course not.”
Jasmine was seated and plastered against Matt’s side before he finished his response.
“It seems like forever since I saw you.” She finished her drink and placed the glass on the table.
Matt adjusted his position so Jasmine was no longer touching him. “It’s been a while.” He knew exactly how long it had been.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you since that party at Jordan’s.”
The night before Eclipse headed out on their last tour, Jordan had thrown a party. It had been the last event they’d attended together. Things between them officially ended two months later, although their relationship had been headed in that direction for a long time.
“Sounds right.”
“Well, it’s been way too long.” Jasmine shimmied closer until her body was once again touching his, setting off warning bells.
Across from him, Anderson gestured toward the waitress. “I’m going to order another drink. If anyone wants anything, it’s on me.”
What Matt wanted was to leave, but there was no way he was getting Aiden to go as long as Ellie sat next to him.
“I could use another,” Aiden said, his expression easy to read. Matt risked his life if he tried to get them to leave now.
Considering the clientele that frequented Covert, Matt wasn’t surprised when the waitress remained professional when she took their order.
“How long are you going to be around?” Jasmine’s hand settled on his forearm. “We need to catch up.”
Although she hadn’t done it when their relationship ended, he knew Jasmine talked trash and spread lies about her exes. He’d prefer to not piss her off tonight for that very reason. So rather than simply pulling his arm away, he reached for his drink, dislodging her hand at the same time.
“I’m only here another day or two.” At least he hoped that was the case, because ever since he’d landed, the restlessness he experienced whenever he was away from Orchard Harbor had plagued him.
“How about tomorrow?” Jasmine’s fingertips slowly worked their way down his chest as her other hand settled on his shoulder. “Or tonight. We can head back to my place now.” Her lips brushed against his ear as she spoke. “Or yours.”
Matt grabbed her wrist to stop her trek south. “Jasmine —”
Her mouth covered his, silencing him.
Pulling away, Matt put as much space between them as he could without landing on the floor. “I’m seeing someone.”
The waitress who’d taken their order returned, halting their conversation. Her eyes glanced from Matt to Jasmine as she set the drinks down. “If you need anything else, let me know.”
Jasmine pouted as she traced his ear. “So? She’s not here. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.” She closed the distance between them again. “I’ve missed you. We were so good together.”
Jerking his head away, he grabbed her wrist before she touched him again. “I’d know.”
Not to mention, I’m not interested.
“We’re better off as friends. You know that.”
The phone in his pocket vibrated, alerting him to a text, and Matt pulled it out.
Liv: Sorry, I missed you earlier. Is now a good time to call?
After they left the hospital, he’d called Liv to give her an update. Unfortunately, he’d gotten her voicemail.
Covert wasn’t the optimal place to talk, but by the time he got home, it would be too late. He’d have to find a quiet place, or at least a relatively quiet one, to talk.
Matt: I’ll call you in a few.
Standing, he looked at his brother. “I need to call Liv. Be back in a bit.”
Aiden looked over at him long enough to nod before he turned his full attention back to Ellie.
Yeah, he wasn’t getting Aiden out of here anytime soon.
He’d frequented enough nightclubs to know the quietest area would be near the restrooms.
“How’s my girl?” Matt asked after Liv answered.
“Tired. I ended up covering the last half of Brenda’s lunch shift. Her daughter went into labor, and she wanted to be there. Then Phoebe and I went to the movies. I got home ten minutes ago.”
“See anything good?” He didn’t even know what was out right now.
“A Flower for Every Day. It came out last week.”
If he’d heard about it, he didn’t remember.
“It sounds like you didn’t talk Aiden out of going to the club.”
“I tried. I made a bet with him. If he won our golf game, we’d go to Covert. If I won, we’d go indoor rock climbing. He won. He failed to tell me he’s been taking private lessons.” One of these days, Matt would get even with him for that.
“How’s your mom?”
Matt backed farther into the corner and leaned against the wall. “She’s going home tomorrow.”
“That’s great. She must be happy.”
It was a toss-up as to who was happier, his mom or dad. “I’d say that’s an understatement. Did you check your calendar to see when we can go away?”
Now wasn’t the best time for a prolonged conversation, but although they’d been apart for less than a week, it felt much longer, and he wasn’t ready to let her go.
“Right now, the first week of October looks good.”
He’d hoped for something sooner, but he’d take what he could get. “We can start planning when I get back.”
Their destination didn’t matter to him, and Matt wanted their vacation to be a place she’d enjoy.
“Sounds good. Since your mom is going home tomorrow, does that mean you’ll be back soon?”
“Not as soon as I’d like. My agent called and wants to go over a few things. Since I’m out here, I figured I’d get it over with. I’m meeting with him on Wednesday afternoon. My plan is to fly back first thing Thursday morning.”
Silence followed his response. Matt was about to ask if she was still there when Liv spoke.
“Oh, yeah, that makes sense. Do you know what time you’ll be back?”
He hadn’t called the charter company yet, but he planned to be back in time for dinner.
“Not yet, but don’t make any plans for Thursday night. I want you all to myself.”
“That can be arranged. But I’m going to let you go. My bed is calling my name.”
Ending his call, Matt made his way back to the table. Unlike earlier, he bumped into several people he knew. Each conversation intensified his desire to leave.
“Shit,” Matt said when he had eyes on his table, the pulsing music drowning out his voice. His brother and Ellie were gone, but Jasmine remained with Anderson. He considered his options before taking a seat in Aiden’s empty chair, the spot across from Jasmine rather than next to her.
“Wow, you were gone for a long time. I was starting to worry you’d left,” she said.
Something told him he should’ve. After all, Aiden was a big boy. He could find his own way home.
“Where did my brother go?” If Jasmine said he’d left with Ellie, he was heading for the exit.
“He’s over there somewhere with Ellie.” She gestured toward the dance floor.
Trying to find Aiden was pointless, yet he glanced that way.
In one sip, Jasmine finished her drink, stood, and came around the table. Before his brain could register her intentions, she dropped onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Let’s go someplace private and catch up. Ellie can give your brother a ride home.”
Jasmine’s lips covered his before he could argue.