Page 37 of Pucking Matt
I laugh. “Good question.”
He shakes my shoulders again. “I think I need to find a job. The place I’m staying at is nice and all, but Ryan threw me in it. Basically told me I need to keep a close eye on his sister. He didn’t bother to tell me how expensive being a roommate would be. Maybe I should apply.”
“The house you’re in is nice,” I admit. I can’t imagine how much the place cost in rent as a whole, and then it’s split three ways.
“Yeah,” he agrees. “Sydney is an interior designer, so that makes the place look ten times nicer. Bro? You know what, Matt? I’ve missed this. Everything with Maddie, even before she got with Grey––it just hasn’t been the same with you. I’m glad to have Matthew Pearson back. It’s about fucking time you didn’t mope around.”
“Fuck off,” I say seriously but in a joking way. “Nah, I know I’ve been in the dumps. And I was M.I.A. when I started dating her. Thanks for sticking it through. You’re a good friend, man.”
Crew nods his head to Jen and Harvey. “What’s going on there?”
“I don’t know. Should we give him shit? Plant some seeds in his head?”
Crew laughs, shrugging. I laugh too because I’m just fucking around.
Jen throws the ball in our direction, completely missing the table.
“So, Jen,” I say, catching her attention while she takes a drink from her beer. “What does Amber say about me?”
She glances over at me, innocently as Crew throws the ball. “What do you mean?” she asks.
I smile. “Come on, I need the inside scoop. What do you know?”
“Nothing,” she shrugs. And if she’s lying, she’s far too good at it.
“Look, I know there’s girl code, but we’re bros now, so bro code. Now tell me.”
Harvey shoots the ball into one of our cups, so I take a drink from my beer and remove the cup.
Jen says, “She hasn’t said anything about you.”
Crew smiles. “It’s all in your head, Matt.”
Harvey asks, “What does she say about me?”
Jen looks over at him. “You? That’s a different story.”
Crew hollers at that, and I roll my eyes. Jen’s proud of herself for that one.
Jen wears a big smile as she continues, “She thinks you’re a nice guy.”
“Nice?” Harvey asks, deflated.
I snark, “She stole those words from my mouth.”
“He is nice,” Jen defends.
“Yeah,” Crew teases. “The nicest guy I know.” He glances at Harvey. “Dude, you really are.”
“You are, man,” I agree.
We start laughing when Harvey pretends to be flattered. He makes a waving motion, hiding a smile, and shrugging.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” I announce, opening my arms and glancing around the room. I receive a few takers. “Harvey Reynolds, the nicest man you’ll ever know.”
Harvey glances around the room to see who’s looking. When he realizes he has some attention, he walks over and dances to the beat. He’s whispering his own lyrics, “Nicest guy. I’m the nicest guy. Nicest guy.”
Crew cheers him on, whistling and hooting.
