Page 57 of Matched

After the longest pause of my life, Gem replied.

Gem:

What do you want?

Me:

I don’t know. I’m still working things out but I like him

Gem:

What about his sister?

Me:

She knows where we stand. I made it clear. But she still likes me

Rocky:

Shit bro you do get yourself in bad situations

Me:

Not helping Rock

Rocky:

Just be FWB

Gem:

I don’t want you to get hurt. Just be careful

Rocky:

What she said

Me:

Thanks guys. I’ll update you when I have more news

I shoved my phone back in my pocket when Nate appeared. He came to a stop next to me, dragging a hand through his hair. “I asked Soph how she was, and she said she was fine. Said she wasn’t interested in anyone else, but she thought she might be starting to get over you.” He hesitated, his gaze darting to mine before slipping away again. “I still feel bad.”

“Bad enough to not come to my room?”

He looked at me properly then, holding my gaze with dark, serious eyes. “No.”

“Okay.” Straightening up, I began walking towards my own front door, knowing he’d follow me.

While I’d been inside Number 3, my house had filled up, although it was nowhere near as loud or crowded as next door. I nodded at JJ as he came towards me, his gaze flicking to Nate, then back to mine. We had a respectable amount of space between us, but JJ sometimes seemed to have a sixth sense for things. Distraction was the best tactic.

“Going out?” I asked him, taking in his shoulder bag and the keys dangling from his fingers.

“I’m working tonight. Killian’s meeting me later, though, so I’ll probably go back to his. Make sure no one goes near my room. It’s locked, but Sid’s in there, and I don’t want him to be disturbed.”

“Okay. Have fun. See you tomorrow.”

He smiled at me before disappearing out the door, and I continued through the house, up two flights of stairs, and stopped outside my bedroom.

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