Page 17 of Forget Me

“Oh. Sure.” It wasn’t hard to imagine a teenage version of Mateo. His boyish good looks, easy flirting, and loose movements made him seem younger than he was.

Like I’d said it out loud, he reddened. “I—ah. Thanks for bringing your whistle and being the voice of authority they needed.”

“No problem. Ben knows he can call on me whenever he needs me.”

Mateo nodded, and suddenly, his face lost its boyishness. Those blue eyes bored into me in a way that reminded me of…something. Probably his cousin’s laser glare. My skin prickled from my scalp all the way to my toes. I shoved my hand with the ring into my jeans pocket.

“Mateo!” Ben shouted from across the gym. “Little help?”

I tore my eyes off Mateo. Ben stood next to a rack of basketballs, but a couple of kids played keep-away with the last one. It looked like they’d done it in fun, but I was glad Mateo was there to even out Ben’s side.

“Excuse me,” Mateo said, “but I’ve got a couple boneheads to set straight.”

He jogged off, his sneakers squeaking out a warning. The kids handed the ball to Ben as soon as they saw beefy Mateo approach.

After the kids left and Mateo went to fetch the car, Ben plopped down next to me on the gym floor.

“Tired? I know today was a lot.”

“No, I’m good.” I rolled my shoulders. “What can I help you with?”

“Nothing.” He waved at the empty gym, the balls and hula hoops and ancient scooters stored neatly in their racks. “Come to our place for dinner?”

Dinner with Cooper and probably Mateo sounded painful. “How about a restaurant? Just the two of us?”

“A place with a heated patio so I can bring Coco?”

Thinking of Ben’s dog—and his fur—made my eyes prickle.

“I helped you all day. No patio. No dog.”

Ben gasped dramatically. “Coco is a sweet, sweet boy. The only reason he’s not your best friend is that you’re allergic.”

“Let me tell you, I haven’t missed the allergy-med fog since you moved out.” I froze. Allergy medicine.

“I think I roofied myself,” I said.

“What? Today?” Ben peered into my eyes.

“That night of your party. I took my allergy meds before I went to your party, then I went to Bree’s bachelorette party. I think the meds amplified the effects of the booze. I got pretty wasted, and I—I don’t remember much.”

He paled. “Do you think something happened?”

“I woke up alone at my place, still in my clothes. Nothing seemed…amiss.”

He blew out a breath, then he smirked. “Nothing amiss? Iguessthat’s a good thing. Though you could use moreamissin your life.”

“Says you.” I crossed my arms. “I like my orderly life.”

Ben grumbled something that sounded suspiciously likeboring life.

“Hey, you’re practically married to the most orderly person I’ve ever met. There’s nothing wrong with orderly.”

His eyes sparkled wickedly. “Not when it goes with a killer bod and a tongue that—”

“Boss’s boss’s boss,” I reminded him, cringing. “Where do you want to go?”

“Greasy burger place,” he said without hesitation. “I never get to eat that when Cooper’s here. You know, his body is a temple and all that. I mean, itis.”A dreamy look came over his face. “And I worship there like a Baptist on Sunday.”

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