Page 93 of From Drummer to Gamer

“Tin,” I muttered in confusion as I stepped forward, but Matty’s hold tightened, pulling me closer to him. “What are you still doing here?”

“I asked the team to go home. Wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“She’s fine.” Matty’s voice boomed with a sliver of a low warning.

“I’ll make sure of that,” Tin replied, narrowing his eyes. “Si, can I talk to you for a moment?” He paused, adding, “Alone.”

I nodded, casting Matty a reassuring smile, who only frowned at me, but I quickly slipped away.

“Sierra, what the fuck is going on?” Tin asked as he dragged me to an empty corner, a furious expression coating his face.

What the hell was his problem?

“Tin, look, like I said, it’s a long story.”

“And I have all the time in the world,” he countered.

I sighed. “Fine. Remember the record producer I told you about who offered Raphy an album deal? Well, that person is Matty. Raphy and I have been living with him the whole time.”

“Matty?” He raised a brow. “You know him well enough to call himMatty?”

“Yeah, I do actually, kinda.”

“Is there anything else you want to tell me?” He regarded me through the thin slits of his eyes.

I shook my head.

“Oh really? You want to tell me why you were kissing him? The man whom you have an unhealthy obsession with?” His voice raised a decibel.

I flushed, but a flicker of anger pulsed through my veins. “Tin, with all due respect, it’s none of your business who I kiss. And my obsession with Matty isn’t for you to define. I know my feelings.”

He scoffed in disbelief. “You’re just a kid, Sierra, fucking eighteen. And that grown-ass man is taking advantage of you. You must need more brain cells if you haven’t figured that out.”

“Tin,” I gritted through my teeth. “Don’t talk about him that way. Matty is the most responsible and trustworthy man I’ve ever met. And he isn’t taking advantage of me. I didn’t say no when he kissed me. I wanted it too. And don’t insult me by calling me a kid. My age doesn’t determine my maturity. Is that clear?”

“You know him for a few fucking weeks, and you’re already calling him trustworthy?” He huffed a frustrated breath before his gaze softened. “I’m just worried about you, Si. I don’t want you to get wrapped up with a celebrity who uses and discards you.”

My anger dissipated as my lips curved into a small smile. “I understand, but trust me when I say, I’m fine. The last person who would hurt me like that is Matty. He’s really a good man, Tin.”

A swallow worked his throat, but he gave me a stiff nod.

I knew he still wasn’t convinced, and I loved that he was worried about me, but I knew what I was doing. Even if I wasn’t…wasn’t making mistakes and figuring them out a part of life, anyway?

“Look, I’d love to stay here and chat. But I really, really have to go,” I said, giving him a quick hug.

“Okay,” he said. “Just…just be careful.”

“I will.” I smiled, waving as I retraced my steps to Matty, who was still in the same spot as I left him, watching me like a hawk ready to pounce on its prey.

It made a terrible ache build in my body.

“Hey,” I mumbled, smiling shyly. “Sorry about that. We can leave now.”

He nodded, his eyes sweeping over me like a soft caress before he grabbed my hand, once again, and I couldn’t stop the blush that painted my cheeks.

“That boy has a crush on you,” Matty stated as we headed toward the parking lot, which I soon realized now that my head was clearer.

“Who?” I frowned. “Tin?”

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