Page 37 of Wild Stars

I don’t make any comment, though, and instead, do as he demands.

I take the seat next to him, swiveling on the bar stool, and he gets up immediately, leaving me alone.

I frown as I realize he’s probably pissed at me because of what happened last night.

God, I’m such an idiot.

I watch as he opens his refrigerator, and pulls out a bowl and a tall glass of green liquid.

He slides both in front of me, grabbing a spoon and setting it beside the bowl as he watches me intently.He doesn’t sit down, though, nor does he say anything.I peek at the bowl, which looks like cold oatmeal, and I sniff the glass of green gunk.It smells good, like pineapple, but it looks gross as hell.

“Is breakfast negotiable?”I ask casually.

“No.”Matty says matter of factly, turning away from me to head toward what looks like a Keurig on steroids.

“How do you know I’m not allergic to any of this shit?”I bite, crossing my arms.

“I spoke with your manager this morning.”

My eyes widen.“What?”I nearly choke on my cold oatmeal.“Shit!I totally forgot, Penny?—”

“Well, I had to inform her of your...late arrival,” he says, crossing his arms.“Besides, I take the health of my...guests seriously.”

Oh.Right.

Stupid Dare!Of course...

I poke at the oatmeal sludge with a spoon.It jiggles and I’m certain it’s not supposed to do that.

“When you are finished, we will head to the studio.”

I look back and forth, as if he could be talking to someone else, but it feels like we are the only two people here.

“What?Like...together?”

Matty’s jaw tenses.

“Unless you’re hiding a micro-machine in your brand new sweatpants, Dare, yes.We are both going to the same place, are we not?”

I take another bite of the cold oatmeal, and it isn’t that bad.It’s strangely tasty, actually, once you get over the texture thing.

“I guess that makes sense.”

“Good.”He nods as he pours himself a cup of coffee, watching me intently.

“Do I have something on my face?”I ask, feeling strangely on the spot.

“Did you drink the water?”he asks, deadpan.

I half-contemplate telling himno, just to see his eye twitch, but the weird tension in the air tells me that honesty is probably a good policy right now.

“Yes,” I say as I finish my bowl of oatmeal.

Matty nods again, sipping his coffee.“Hydration is key for surviving a hangover.”

“Thanks,” I say as he brushes me off.

“No matter.The car will be here in five minutes.”

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