Page 62 of Bleeding Hearts Duet

Matt’s jaw tightened as he stared at the road before us, a tense quiet settling over the cab. I hated that things were so strained between all the people in my life right now. I was walking a tightrope, desperately trying to keep my balance. But one of these days, I was going to fall off.

“I’m hungry,” I stated. “I haven’t eaten all day.”

Matt looked over at me and grinned, taking his cue from me. “Well, that is one thing I can actually rectify.”

Twenty minutes later, he pulled up to a dive bar. I gave him a curious look, and he laughed and shook his head.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said. “But they have the best burgers in San Fran, I swear.”

I didn’t argue as I climbed out of the truck and followed him inside. The clientele was more in keeping with the type of people I was used to being around anyway. I didn’t belong in Jaguars or Saks Fifth Avenue.

“Hey, sugar!” a cute brunette waitress greeted Matt as he grabbed us a booth. “It’s been a while. What can I get you?”

“Two of the regulars.” He gave her a wolfish grin that had her giggling as she walked away.

“Is that a thing?” I teased him.

“Hey, a man’s got to find some comfort somewhere.”

“I’m not judging,” I smirked. “But she doesn’t seem like your type.”

He shrugged. “And who is?”

“Hmm….” I drummed my fingers across the table and pretended to think it over for a minute. “I don’t know. Nicole, perhaps?”

A dark look passed over his features, and in an instant, his amusement was gone. “Nicole and I… that can never happen.”

The waitress appeared with our food, giving Matt an extra flirtatious smile before she sauntered away.

“That was fast,” I quipped.

“Don’t judge it by the speed.” He picked up his burger and waved it in front of his nose. “Judge it by the taste.”

I laughed as I brought it to my mouth and took a bite. Matt was right, it was the best burger I’d ever had. I finished it in record time and was a little embarrassed when I caught him watching me with a knowing smile.

“Well?”

“You win,” I admitted.

“What was that?” he put his hand to his ear. “I couldn’t quite hear you.”

I rolled my eyes but indulged him. “I said you win.”

“One more time,” he insisted.

“You win!” I reached across the table and slugged his arm.

We both busted into a fit of laughter and forgot the tension of the day, at least for a moment. But as I wiped my eyes and told Matt how much I needed this, a shadow passed over his face. He jerked his chin behind me, and I turned to see Ryland standing there, listening to our conversation.

“Matthew.” He gave him a polite nod, but I didn’t miss the ticking of his jaw muscle as he stepped closer. “What a surprise to find you here.”

Matt looked from Ryland back to me as though he were debating his next words carefully. “We were just finishing up.”

“Good.” Ryland held out his hand for me. “Then you won’t mind if I take Brighton off your hands for the evening.”

“That’s up to Brighton,” Matt said in a low voice.

I stared at Ryland’s outstretched hand and debated the risks of making a spectacle. I didn’t want to go with him, but what choice did I have? Nothing had changed, except that he’d opened my eyes to the person he really was. I didn’t want to care about him, but it was too late for that. The only thing he cared about was the game, and no matter what, I was going to get hurt. But for Brayden, I would let Ryland rip out my heart and set it on fire.

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