Page 119 of Keep Me

“And does she know that?”

“I think so.”

He raised a brow before shaking his head and taking another swig of his beer. “Unbelievable.”

“What?”

“She either knows or she doesn’t. If you aren’t sure, then she doesn’t know, trust me.”

“No. She does. I’m sure of it. I’ve told her enough times.”

“Mm-hm. Then why did she look like she wanted to hide away when you kissed her in front of everyone?”

I shook my head. “It’s complicated.”

“Complicated, as in there are other girls involved, because if you’re thinking you can treat my sister as a side chick, then I’ve got a couple other brothers that would love to meet you.”

“She’s not my side chick.”

“You sure? Because I don’t think you know just how close Britt and I are. She tells me everything.” He looked at me pointedly. “I know more about you and your ‘situation’ than you think.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, you’re the kid who had a girlfriend with the ferret, correct?” He knew about Olana? Fuck. Did he know about the marriage too? No, surely not. I wouldn’t be walking straight if he had.

I gulped. “Yeah, but that’s over, and it has been over for a long time.”

Sam silently assessed my answer before leaning back on his chair. “I don’t want to get in the middle of anything, but I know my sister really likes you. She’s not good at hiding her emotions. Don’t break her heart.”

“I have no intention of doing that.”

“Good, because it’s important to remember that part of my off-season training with my brothers is yard work. We all know how to use a shovel and are great at keeping secrets.” He said it with a smile, but there was an obvious threat behind his words.

“Noted.”

The threat was real even if I had nothing to worry about. I wasn’t leaving Britt’s side anytime soon.

“What were you guys talking about?” Britt asked as she eased back into the booth next to me, her hand brushing against mine under the table. She shied away from holding it, but I took her hand anyway.

Sam smiled, taking a swig of his beer before looking at me and then to his sister. “Nothing. We were just talking about going to the next Catfish game together. Thought it might be a good time to meet Max.” Sam knocked my foot under the table, and I straightened my back, smiling. “Sounds like a good time, doesn’t it, Matty?”

“Yeah, I can’t wait,” I said. I probably didn’t sound convincing, but both Britt and her mom smiled back encouragingly. It might not have felt it, but it seemed like this was their way of welcoming me into the family. One I hoped I’d be part of for the rest of my life.

Chapter 26

“Did you want to come up?” I asked Matty as we stood outside my dorm block. It was the first time we’d been alone together since he kissed me, and after being dropped off here by my mom and brother, there was no way I wanted him to leave.

Matty threw me a slanted smile before running a hand through his hair. All signs that he was nervous. Of what? I didn’t know.

“You sure?”

When I nodded and pushed open the door, his smile grew wider. Oh, how his dimples and twinkling eyes could make my heart flutter.

I loved him. If I wasn’t sure about it before tonight, I was certain of it now. Seeing the way Matty handled my mom and Sam made me feel whole. As though everyone in my life was exactly where they should be. Matty seemed happier in my mom’s presence, and although I had no doubts my brother grilled him when I went to the bathroom, he was smiling at the end of it.

Matty’s hand pushed the door the rest of the way open. “After you,” he said, gesturing me to go inside.

As we silently walked up the stairs, passing a few other students who lived in my dorm, Matty wrapped his arm around my waist and rested his hand on my hip. This felt so right. Like I was always his and I was finally able to shout it out from the rooftops.

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