Page 45 of Wild Stars

“Thanks,” I say as I squeeze through, brushing against his chest once more.The sun is bright even for the afternoon, and I walk briskly toward the studio.Thankfully, it’s only one block away, so it isn’t too hot, but a part of me wishes it was further away, if only because I know once we arrive, Matty will disappear again.

And stupidly, I want to keep him here, with me.

I’m such a fucking glutton for punishment.

The air is thick with tension, and I decide I can’t take the silence anymore.

“I, uh...had a really great time last night,” I say like an idiot.Even to my own ears, I sound lame as hell.

Matty twists his lips, breathing out a sigh.“Yes, well, that makes one of us,” he grumbles, and my eyebrows furrow.“I mean...I’m glad.That you...enjoyed yourself,” he says cautiously as we come up to the studio street.

I can see the building, and I start to slow down.To my surprise, Matty follows my lead.

“Matty, I?—”

I stop on the sidewalk, and he does, too.He looks at me, then at the building, then lets out a sigh.

“You don’t have to do this,” he says gruffly.

“Do what?”I ask, responding to the tone of his voice.It reminds me of a tiger in a cage.Pacing and pacing, looking regal as shit, but the moment you tap the glass, they show their teeth.

Captive and angry.

“I’m going to make this simple, Darren.”His voice trembles as he says my name.He reaches for his drink, and then his sister’s.

“Okay...”I say like a confused idiot.

“What happened last night…” He closes his eyes, swallowing harshly.When he opens them again, I can see the sadness, the guilt in his eyes and I fucking hate it.

Because I realize he feelsguiltyabout what happened between us.

But why?

Doesn’t he know how fuckinghothe is?

How he drives me fucking crazy?

How I can’t stop thinking about him or that fucking kiss?

Or his dick...

“What happened between us last night was a mistake.We were drunk.It can’t happen again, and it won’t happen again.Do you understand?”He says the words coldly, like he is detached from them.

I’ve never been considered smart by any means, and I hate being told I can’t have something.

It only makes me want it more.

But the desire to fight dies as I see the pain in his gaze.

The loneliness.

The guilt.

And I realize Matty is a caged tiger.He’s been in captivity too long.He’s afraid of what is beyond his cage.

He’s afraid ofme.

“I understand,” I say softly.

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