Page 68 of Loving Bad
My thoughts disappeared as I touched my cheek where he'd kissed me. A noise outside made me look back to see Matthew leaning against the car, watching us.
"I need to go," I said as I turned to leave.
"Bye, Tay," he said as he watched me walk to the car. Matthew opened the door and I got into the passenger side. He was still watching from the doorway as Matthew got into the driver's side and started the engine. I watched Sin as Matthew reversed the car. My body was still humming from my tumble with Sin, but the sinking feeling in my stomach grew stronger as Matthew pulled away and I lost sight of him.
Did this mean that despite everything we'd shared we were going to go back to being strangers?
Matthew was quiet for the drive back to the apartment, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I should have been happy and smiling after what had happened between Sin and I, but I wasn't. Convinced that because he hadn't said anything about seeing each other again meant that he wasn't interested in taking things further with me made my chest hurt.
It wasn't like he'd made any promises. I'd known the score and I'd known the rules. The fact that I'd still fallen hopelessly in love with him lay squarely on my shoulders.
The apartment was dark and quiet when we returned. I checked on Jordan. She was fast asleep in her bed. When I walked back into the living room, Matthew was leaning against the wall, watching me.
"So you and lover-boy all made up?" he asked.
I shrugged, not wanting to admit anything out loud before I had the time to process it.
"Have you read his file yet?" he asked. I knew exactly where this was going and I wasn't going to stand for it. I was tired of everyone telling me how to live my life. I got that they loved and cared for me, but enough was enough.
"No, I haven't. Actually, the next time I get a chance, I'm going to toss it out," I snapped, feeling my temper rise. "Or burn it."
He held up his hands.
"I just wanted to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into."
Little did he know I wasn't getting into anything and it sucked.
"You're nearly as bad as my brother," I said, getting annoyed. It was bad enough to having one overprotective brother. Matthew pressed his lips together as he studied me for a moment.
"Okay, no more lectures from me. You're a big girl and you can make up your own mind," he said.
"Thanks."
I appreciated the fact that he was going to back off on the subject of Sin and whether he was good enough for me, because to me he was.
It was really late when I finally got dressed for bed and crawled under the covers, but the heaviness in my heart made it difficult for me to relax and go to sleep. I was staring up to the ceiling, waiting for sleep to claim me when I heard my phone receive a text message. Who would be texting me so late? I reached for my phone and looked at the screen. It was a text message from Sin.
Sweet dreams Tay.
Three little words that instantly lifted my heart and I smiled. He was thinking of me.
Night Sin, I texted him.
Did this mean we were going to be more than just strangers passing each other in the hallways? I couldn't help but take it as a sign for something more. There was that nagging in the background of my mind that I could be setting myself up for more heartbreak.
After that, I drifted off to sleep and woke up feeling refreshed the next day. Jordan tried to appear happy, but I could see past it to the real hurt she still felt over Slater.
We all had breakfast and coffee quickly before leaving for class. Matthew opened the door and noticed a note pinned to the front of it. His face was stone-like as he read the message.
"What is it?" I asked as I stepped forward to reach for the message.
"Don't touch it," he instructed, stopping me by taking hold of my wrist. "It's a note from your stalker."
Oh. My. God. The stalker knew where I was living?
I needed to see the note for myself. I stepped around Matthew and looked at the note.
I know where you live, whore. You can't hide from me. You're my whore not his.
