Page 135 of Crash & Burn

A knock on the door wakes me up, but Mia doesn’t even stir. Her ass is pressed up against my dick, covered by only my boxer briefs, her back covered by my shirt from last night flush against my naked chest.

I’ve learned over our months together that Mia is a heavy sleeper, just like her brother, but only when she is in my arms. She is convinced she is a light sleeper, always waking up in the middle of the night at her apartment whether from one of her recurring dreams or a creak of the old building.

In reality, she doesn’t ever take into account that I can kiss my way all the way between her legs before she’ll wake up.

Wait.

I never went back to my place last night.

I’m still in bed with Mia.

She convinced me to stay.

And the door to her hotel room is opening.

Right now.

“What the fuck?!” I hear, and so does Mia because the white sheets around us ruffle before being thrown to the end of the bed.

Mia and I look at each other for a second, and it is the last second before everything changes.

“Mateo,” she says. “What are you doing here?”

“Really? That’s the question you’re going to go with? I brought you a fucking coffee along with the key you gave me, wanting to apologize for blowing you off last night.” He sets the coffee down on the dresser before throwing the room key down on the bed. His attention turns to me. “What the hell are you doing in bed with my sister?” He steps forward, and I think for a second he is going to rush me, but I put my hands out.

I look to Mia to see if she wants me to explain, but her eyes are on Mateo as she stands up and rounds the bed.

“This isn’t how I wanted you to find out.”

Mateo runs a hand through his hair, and he is pacing back and forth, in the way he does when he is trying to stay calm and losing against his anger, but he stops when she says this.

“Find out what? It is pretty clear what you guys are up to,” he spits.

“No,” Mia says. “It wasn’t just a hookup, we—me and Eddie—we’ve been,” she pauses, looks at me, and I give her a nod.

“We’re toge–”

“No,” Mateo interjects, and the harshness of the word makes Mia take a step back from him. “Don’t say it. Don’t you dare tell me the two of you have been doingthis,” he gestures to the mess of the bed and the two of us half naked, “behind my back for more than just last night.”

“Mateo, I wanted to tell you,” Mia pleads, tears clouding her eyes. “You were just so stressed, and I didn’t want to stress you out more.” Tears escape from her eyes as she continues. “We were just friends at first, but we developed feelings. It wasn’t until earlier this summer where I—”

“Months?! You have waitedmonthsto tell me you were fucking my best friend. And you,” he says, turning his attention to me. “What did I tell you about leaving her alone? I told you she didn’t have the time or energy to put up with your sorry ass. Now, here you are, making her think that she can what? Fix you? I can’t believe you!” His voice raises, but I’ve known Mateo my whole adult life, and I have never heard it get this loud. The only times close to this either being on stage or that night at Mia’s over a year ago.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen, Mateo. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you.”

He looks between me and his sister. “Who else has been keeping this little secret of yours?” He asks, and, when neither of us answer, he shakes his head. “Unbelievable” He wipes a hand across his mouth before he lets out a humorless laugh. “This is great. Just great.”

“Seriously, man. We were going to tell you. We were just waiting for the right time,” I try to explain, grabbing my pants from the floor and putting them on.

“No, you know what? You’re out.”

I freeze. “What?”

“You’re out of the fucking band.”

“Mateo, stop,” Mia pleads, but he puts out a hand to her.

“I’m serious. I’m telling the label we need a fill-in for the tour. I’m fucking done with you.”

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