Chapter 17 #2
Scratch that. This is Bluebonnet Creek. Of course she knows.
Hell, I was surprised my sisters hadn’t brought up my recent date.
Then again, they run in different circles.
Not Becky, though. Even if she wants to, she can’t avoid all the gossip in the café, and Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Tyson make it a point to stop at least once a day for coffee.
“Becky, I…”
My tongue darts out, sliding over my lower lip as I try to come up with some kind of explanation, but nothing comes to mind.
She closes the box and slides it to me over the counter.
“He’s at work, so maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll find him at the police station.”
He’s—
“That’s it?”
Becky shrugs. “I knew there was something going on between the two of you that day he came back home. That there is more than either of you is saying out loud.”
My mouth goes dry. “Becky…”
She lifts her hands to stop me from finishing. “It’s fine. Trust me, I know what it’s like.”
If anybody could understand, it would be her. It hasn’t been that long since she faced her blast from the past. Nobody ever thought that Miguel Fernandez would step foot back in our hometown, and yet, he came back, and together they changed the course of their story.
Matthew and I… we aren’t like them.
Never have been.
But I can’t tell her that, not when we have an agreement.
“It’s not like that. We knew each other in high school. We’re just… hanging out.”
Stick to the truth. That’s what Matthew said. Make them believe we’re dating.
“Funny.” The corner of Becky’s lips twitches upward. “That’s what Matthew said as well. Among other things.”
Other things? What other things? And why the hell didn’t he say something to me? Warn me that his sister—my friend—knows?
My heart is beating so wildly inside my chest, the hard thundering dulling all the other noises around me as I process this information, so I barely hear her next words.
“I’ll tell you what I told him. I don’t want to see either of you get hurt, that’s all.”
I force out a smile. “That won’t happen.”
In order to hurt somebody, there need to be feelings involved.
Matthew doesn’t feel anything for me.
And I… I learned my lesson when it comes to Matthew Williams four years ago.
This is an arrangement.
A game.
And we both know the rules.
After paying Becky, I grab the box and walk over to the police station. My heart races as the building comes into view, and those nerves start coming back.
Don’t be a ninny, Jessy.
You’re just sticking to your side of the agreement. And returning the favor from when he installed the automatic light. That’s all.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I go straight for the door, pushing it open, only to slam into the person coming out.
“Shit, I’m so sorry.”
Warm hands land on my shoulders, and even before I lift my gaze, I know who I’ll find in front of me.
“We really need to stop running into each other like this, Trouble.”
Matthew’s soft chuckle sends a shiver down my spine.
Slowly, I lift my gaze to meet his warm brown eyes, taking him in.
Well, damn.
I’m screwed.
This was a mistake.
A six-foot-four, two hundred thirty-pound mistake wrapped in a tight-fitting blue dress shirt that stretches over his chest, accentuating his wide shoulders and muscled arms.
Matthew has always been handsome. It didn’t matter if it was his football uniform, street clothes, or no clothes. Matthew in his police uniform, though? Criminal.
As in, I’d gladly commit a crime if it meant he would put his hands on me.
Maybe Mae was onto something after all, the devil on my shoulder whispers, and I can feel the color rise up my cheeks.
Matthew notices me staring, his brow quirking up in silent amusement.
“See something you like?”
I shove him away, which only makes him chuckle harder. “You can only wish.”
“You never know.” His gaze darts to the box. “What’cha got there?”
“Why do you think it’s for you?”
That grin only grows wider, a small dimple popping in his cheek. “Because you’re here in the middle of the day?”
I arch a brow, giving him my sternest look. “A little cocky of you to assume I’m here only because of you, don’t you think, Williams? Maybe I came to report that person who was snooping around my house the other day.”
If I thought that would deter him, I have another thing coming. He leans down, his voice turning husky as he whispers, “And maybe you came to see me because you missed me.”
My heart somersaults inside my chest at his husky voice.
Before I know it, he grabs the box from my hand and opens the lid, his face lighting up when he spots the brownies.
“And you got me my favorite.” He grabs one, popping it into his mouth in one go. “Damn, those are go—”
“Williams!” Sheriff Jenkins barks. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Matthew’s whole body turns rigid at the sound of the sheriff’s voice, any trace of amusement disappearing off his face in a blink of an eye.
It’s like a switch has flipped, and he’s completely changed, a shadow of the person he usually is.
This.
This is his reason for our scheme.
There’s a dull ache in my chest as I watch him for a second longer.
“I thought I told you to—”
I swallow hard, forcing a smile on my face as I peek around him.
“I’m afraid that’s my fault, Sheriff.” I shoot him an apologetic smile.
The older man’s stance softens somewhat when he spots me. “Jessica, what brings you here?”
“Just stopped to bring Matthew some brownies as a thank you.”
Sheriff’s bushy brows pull together as he glances from me to Matthew and back. “A thank you?”
There is no hiding the skepticism in his tone, not that he tries to do it, and I can feel the irritation rise inside of me.
“Jessica…”
There’s a warning note in Matthew’s voice, but I ignore it as I continue. “Yes, he installed an automatic light for me the other day so I don’t have to come home to a dark house after a long shift.”
“Did he now?” Sheriff’s eyes narrow even further. “Well, you can never be too safe.”
“That’s what he said too. It was very nice of him to do it, so I wanted to thank him with some brownies. I hope that’s okay?”
Once again his gaze darts to Matthew, who’s been standing here like a statue—shoulders stiff, lips pressed in a tight line.
“I guess so. Just don’t take too long. He has work to do.” He nods. “Say hi to your parents. I hope to see your dad at our poker night this week.”
“Of course. I’m sure he’ll be there.”
He nods, glancing between the two of us once more before turning around. And for the first time, I notice that we’ve drawn the attention of the few officers in the building as well. All of them curiously watching our interaction.
Shifting my attention to the man next to me, I gently wrap my fingers around his stiff ones. He grasps them tightly, squeezing for dear life. “Walk me out?”
Matthew puts the box on the nearby table before letting me pull him out of the building with me.
I walk to the side before turning around to face him. Some of the tension has left him, but I can still see the darkness shining in his eyes.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he mutters quietly.
“I did.” I give his hand a squeeze. “We have a deal, remember?”
“Right.” Matthew huffs and runs his free hand over his face. “A deal.”
I tilt my head to the side. “You okay?”
“Fine.”
His tone is clipped, almost detached.
I hate seeing him like this.
This… defeated.
I place my free hand on his chest and smooth it over his firm muscles. Matthew’s gaze zeroes in on me.
“What are you doing?”
My tongue darts out, wetting my lips. “Do you think they’re watching us?”
“Probably.”
His gaze holds mine before it falls to my mouth.
My lips part, throat bobbing.
I swear I can feel his gaze on me like a physical touch. I graze my teeth over my lower lip.
Matthew slides his fingers under my chin, tugging it down and making my lip pop out.
“Good. Let them watch.”
After all, that’s the point.
Before I can give myself time to change my mind, I lift onto the tips of my toes. Matthew’s eyes widen as I close the distance between us, my lips brushing against his smooth cheek before pulling back. Surprise is shining on his face, his eyes dark with heat.
I shove him teasingly against the chest as I walk backward. “Go back to saving lives, Officer.”
Holding his gaze for a few moments longer, I see the corner of his mouth twitch upward. I spin on my heels and start walking away.
“You’re growing soft on me, Trouble,” he calls after me.
I duck my head, biting my lip.
Maybe there is some truth to his words.
Maybe it should worry me.
This pull he has on me.
But he smiled, and that’s the only thing that matters.