Page 42 of The Playboy's Playbook

“I’m sorry for wanting to treat my girlfriend to a nice evening out on our first date,” I huff.

“Woah,” Luke says, surprise evident in his voice. “Girlfriend? It’s that serious, buddy?”

I smile before answering his question. “Well, we haven’t really talked about being official, but she’s my everything, man. And I know it’s only been a month and she’s leaving at the end of the summer, but I don’t want to lose her. I can’t lose her.”

“Woah,” Luke states.

“I told her about my sobriety last night. She felt guilty because she offered me a drink when I went to be with her on Memorial Day.”

Luke sighs. “She didn’t know, Matty.”

“I know, I know. I told her the same thing and that she shouldn’t be so hard on herself about it. It felt good getting that off of my chest.”

“I’m proud of you for that, Matty.” Luke doesn’t smile often, but even without seeing my best friend’s face, I can tell that he has a small smile on his face.

“I still haven’t told her about my time in jail.” As I say those words, I feel the burden on my shoulders all over again.

“Matty,” Luke sighs, his disappointment clear as the sky. “You’ve gotta tell her. The longer you keep this from her, the worse her reaction will be.”

“What if she leaves me?” I question, voicing my fear out loud for the first time.

“She’s too far gone for you just like you are for her.”

“I’ll tell her,” I say, not a trace of confidence in my voice.

“Matty,” Luke says sternly, his fatherly instincts kicking in.

“I promise. I’m going to tell Laila everything.”

Chapter Twenty

LAILA

Iwoke up to a sudden chill hitting my bare spine, Nola on top of my head, and Matt missing. I don’t remember what time I fell asleep. All I know is that I was perfectly content in Matt’s arms as he held me close to his chest.

I scanned my room and saw that his jeans and boots were gone. I pull his shirt tighter around my body, letting his woodsy cologne invade my senses. After experiencing him whispering in my ear as I came undone, I now understand the girls in my romance books.

Last night was perfect.

Mattwas perfect.

I finally move from my bed and go to the living room when I notice a note on the kitchen island. I pick it up and read it, a smile on my face as my eyes trace over Matt’s scratchy handwriting.

Lala,

I’m sorry I had to leave you alone this morning. Luke would’ve flipped his shit if I was late to work today. Drink plenty of water, baby. I took Nola outside and gave her a little bit of food before I left, but she might be hungry depending on the time you wake up and read this. I’ll call you when I go to lunch today.

Matty

“Come on, Nola. Let’s get you a little bit more breakfast,” I say after setting the note down. Nola turns and takes off running toward my room, more than likely to dig in her toy box for one of her many stuffed animals.

A few seconds later, she returns with the toy Matt bought her last night and drops it at my feet. She sits patiently as she waits for my signal. Her tiny tail wags excitedly, quickly swiping behind her.

I nod and she practically dives into her bowl. I smile and walk to sit on the couch in the living room, soon getting lost in my thoughts.

I’m so glad that I gave Matt a second chance because getting to know him has been like becoming friends all over again. I was wrong to dismiss him early on, but we live and we learn.

“What does Clay want for his birthday?” I ask Matt during our daily lunch call.

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