Chapter 11 #2
Shaking my head, my vision comes into focus, and I notice that I’ve taken a different turn, and instead of going back home, I’m driving toward the school.
“What the hell are you doing, Jessy?”
I drive a little farther, until I get to the parking lot where I can easily turn around, when my headlights illuminate a shape on the field.
I narrow my eyes at it.
Who would be running at this hour out here in the darkness?
Just as the question occurs to me, the person moves closer, and I can see who it is, and of course it’s him.
Since the moment he stepped back into Bluebonnet Creek, it’s like he’s been popping up left and right.
Matthew lifts his hand, shielding his eyes from the bright lights as he slows until he comes to a complete stop.
I bite into my lower lip as I stare at him. A dark-blue shirt is plastered to his torso, sweat stains visible even in the darkness. His breathing is labored, chest rising and falling as he fights for breath. His shorts hug his muscled thighs.
I should turn around and leave.
It’s the logical thing to do.
A reasonable thing to do.
Go.
But it’s like I’m glued to the spot.
Matthew lets his hand drop, his eyes holding mine from a distance, like a hostage.
He’s the first one to move, his long legs eating the distance between us.
His hair is messy, sweaty strands curling against his neck.
Swallowing hard, I lower my window. Matthew presses his hands against the top of my car, those brown eyes taking me in.
“You didn’t answer my messages.”
His voice is low, sending a shiver down my spine. The subtle scent of cologne mixing with sweat reaches my nostrils. It should smell appalling; after all, he’s clearly been running for quite some time, and yet it doesn’t.
“I got busy. I’m not sitting around waiting for you to text me.”
Not anymore.
Understanding flashes in his eyes. He tilts his head slightly, those dark eyes narrowing on me. The silence between us stretches, and I can see the muscle in his jaw tic.
“Then what are you doing here, Jessica?”
A snort escapes me. “You’re asking me that? When you’re the one running in the dark?”
He quirks his brow at me. “Worried about me, Trouble?”
My lips part, color rising up my cheeks at his question. That smug smile only grows bigger, so I quickly press them together. “You’re not that lucky,” I mutter dryly.
The jerk only grins wider, but the smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Mhmm… No need to be worried. I carry a gun and can handle myself. If anyone even thinks to come after me, I’ll have them on the ground before they can blink.”
His words paint a picture in my head that I should find unnerving considering I can’t stand violence. So why does my mind bring up an image of me on the ground with Matthew hovering over me?
“Still so modest, I see.”
“I just tell it like it is.” He shrugs, trying to play it off, but I can see the strain on him. His shoulders are stiff, teeth clenched, arm muscles flexing as he leans against my car. It’s almost as if he’s trying to keep himself on the leash.
What is going on with him?
It shouldn’t matter. I shouldn’t be thinking about him. He certainly never thought about me. But I can’t help myself. I’ve always seen past the mask he shows to the world.
The question slips out before I can think it through. “What do you get out of it?”
Matthew blinks, almost like he’s thrown off by the change of subject. Not that I can blame him.
My heart is thundering wildly as I watch him, waiting for his answer.
His tongue slides over his lip as his expression grows distant for a moment. I think he’ll brush me off, but he surprises me.
“I need them to take me seriously.”
“Them?”
“Jenkins.” He lifts his hand, running his fingers through his hair, and messing it up even more than it was.
“He doesn’t think I’m serious. This fucking town doesn’t take me seriously.
Not about this job, nor sticking around.
All of them see me as that teenager who was causing trouble around town all through high school.
I need them to know that I’m here, and that I’m here to stay. ”
“I don’t see how dating me would change that. Not that we’d actually be dating,” I add quickly, my cheeks burning. “Not for real, anyway. It’d just be…”
My voice trails off, gaze lowering as I struggle to find the words.
“Fake,” he finishes, just as I whisper, “Pretend.”
“Call it what you want; it doesn’t matter.
” That deep, husky voice sends a ripple down my spine that makes me shudder.
“All that matters is that your ex will realize that you moved on, and that he should leave you in peace, and everybody will know that I’m serious about being back, serious about staying.
Then, after a while, when things calm down, we can go our separate ways. It’s a win-win for both of us.”
My heart starts racing as I think over his words.
Actually think about them.
About the possibility that we could pull this off.
I shake my head, still trying to process everything. “There is no way this will work. Nobody would buy it.”
“They’ll buy it. We can make them buy it.”
“And if they don’t?” I push.
“They will. Your ex believed it the other day.”
I scoff. “He’s not the best judge of character. He was always paranoid that I was cheating on him, which is one of the main reasons I broke up with him. Others, though?” Another shake of my head. “Nobody will buy that you’re dating me.”
“Convincing them is the whole point of this. Convincing them I’m different. That I’ve changed. That a girl like you would give me a second glance.”
I want to snort out loud. There isn’t one girl in this town who wouldn’t give Matthew Williams a chance, given the opportunity. Hell, they’d probably be even more interested in the bad boy they think he is than the good guy I know hides inside him.
“What do you say, Trouble?”
He tilts his head to the side, eyes scanning my face with intensity. My mouth goes dry under his watchful stare that feels like it can see everything.
“I—” I don’t even know what to say. My heart is racing inside my chest as the ringing in my ears intensifies. I let my hands fall into my lap and brush my palms against the side of my legs as my brain works overtime.
Bolt.
I should bolt out of here without a backward glance.
What we’re discussing is crazy.
And yet, I can’t get the idea out of my head.
Damien isn’t giving up. I thought he would’ve lost interest by now, but he hasn’t, and now that I said I’m dating, he’ll expect to see it.
This is a small town, and there is no hiding here, and knowing Damien, he’ll blab his mouth about my “dating.” Probably use it to paint me as the problem.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts spewing that I cheated on him or something equally ridiculous.
Fucking Mae, and my big mouth.
Always getting me into trouble.
“W-we’d need to have a story. A good one.”
Matthew stands taller. “Considering you’re a shit liar, it’s best if we stick to the truth.”
I glare at him. “Seriously?”
“You know I’m right. You can’t lie to save your life.”
Dammit, I hate it when he’s right.
“So, what do you suggest?”
“I came back home to work at the police station, and you just broke up with your boyfriend. We went to school together and ran into each other, so we decided to catch up. Make it as close to the truth as possible.” Matthew shrugs nonchalantly, completely cool and collected.
Meanwhile, I’m a freaking mess. “People have already seen us talking, so it shouldn’t be too surprising when we decide to go out on a date. ”
Swallowing hard, I mutter under my breath, “I guess that makes sense.”
Kind of.
Hopefully.
Because otherwise we’ll be screwed.
“Does that mean you’re in?”
Blinking, I push down my panic, and his stoic face comes into focus. Completely under control, and yet, there is no missing a flash of uncertainty hiding in his gaze. Something about seeing that little slip in his mask makes me relax. If only slightly.
“I…” I take another moment to weigh my options.
Not that there are many. “Yes.” The acceptance is barely louder than a whisper, but it feels like I just dropped a bomb.
I wipe my sweaty palms against the sides of my legs as I seal my fate with his, linking them together. “But there have to be rules.”