Page 56 of Hoax and Kisses
The issue is me. My own trauma. Selfishly, I don’t want to find myself in a place where someone I’m close to makes snarky or disgusting comments about people on the spectrum. I get enough of that with our mother as it is.
And what if Zoey uses my sister for her own gains? What if she thinks she can buy herself some sort of sympathy with the rest of the town if she’s seen with her?
No. That’s a clear line I’m drawing. In any other situation, with strangers,anyone else, I wouldn’t care one bit. I would proudly declare that Daph is autistic only so I can revel in the discomfort they feel when faced with their stupidity.
But I don’t know if I can trust Zoey yet, and there’s no way I’ll put myself or Daph through that. For now, ignorance is my best friend, especially if I want to see this deal to the end. Because if Zoey knew that Daphne is autistic and she saidanythingthat would even remotely piss me off, I’d be out before she finished the thought.
I’m still trying to figure out how to make the next few weeks go smoothly. I’ve got enough to worry about without allowing someone else to meddle and screw it all up.
I stare at my phone. Nothing.
Come on, Zoey. Please don’t leave me hanging here.
When the screen lights up, a relieved sigh escapes me.
Zoey
You’re a good brother. I hope she’s okay. Forget about breakfast. I’m sure your plate is full enough without having to worry about me.
The last of the lump in my throat dissolves.
Matt
Good night, Zoey. I’ll see you at Cooper’s tomorrow. Wear casual clothes for setup, but bring something to change into for the evening.
For once, nobody will tease you for wearing something nice.
When she reacts to the text with a heart, I toss my phone onto the cushion.
“Got room for one more?” I scoot toward Daphne, who only has her head peeking out from beneath the blanket.
“No. I don’t want your beard scratching my face.”
Chuckling, I fold my arms behind my head and stretch my legs out on the sectional. “Fine. I’ll make myself comfortable here, then.”
“Shh.”
I snort, and when she shushes me again, I fall silent. Rather than paying attention to the movie, I watch the way the light from the TV dances on her face as she laughs along with the characters and frowns when dramatic music comes on.
Eventually, my gaze shifts to the screen, my thoughts drifting to Zoey.
I will make it up to her. I don’t know how or when, but I will. And hopefully, it’ll be enough to make her forget what a supreme asshole I was tonight.
Chapter Fifteen
ZOEY
Outside Mia’s bakery, I pull my phone from my pocket and check the time. 7:27. Three more minutes until the place opens.
I’m freezing. Tired. In a crappy mood.
Why, oh why, did I feel the selfless need to drag myself out of bed at the crack of dawn to pick up breakfast for Matt and his sister?
I could have done a million other things. Like sleep. Go for a run. Get a jump on today’s to-do list. Sleep. Sort out my emails.Sleep.
I tug my coat tighter and bounce on my toes, but it does little to combat the cold that’s already burrowing deep into my bones. I glance up at the bakery’s windows, still dark and uninviting. The silver lining this morning? I can chat with Mia again and check in after our talk last night. See how she feels about me now.
Though when I walked past Rosie’s café on my way here, a heavy weight settled in my chest. I’m such a coward. I’ve beenavoiding her since the disaster of the town meeting, too petrified that if I walk in, she’ll downright refuse to serve me. I don’t think I could handle it if the first person in town to show me kindness now hated my guts.
