Page 63 of Pucking Matt
The song changes to something faster, so I move my hips. She laughs, removes her hold on my neck, and starts dancing to the beat.
I watch her, enjoying the show.
As I watch her laugh, I know I’m a dead man.
Because that laugh is my favorite sound. And that smile makes my stomach do flips.
I look down at her, appreciating this side of her.
Fuck, I’m in for it.
Chapter 17
My stomach does a somersault, like a thousand butterflies have decided to throw a dance party in there.
Matt's looking at me in a way that makes my knees weak – like I'm the only girl in the room, heck, the only girl in the world. It's thrilling and terrifying all at once. This spark between us, it's turning into a wildfire, and I'm not sure I want to put it out.
I'm drawn to him – his lips, his heart, those eyes that seem to see right through me. My brain's gone on vacation, leaving behind only the awareness of his gaze on me. Is this what it feels like to be utterly, completely captivated by someone?
“Come on,” he says, his hand reaching for mine. Our fingers intertwine, and I can't help the grin spreading across my face as he leads me through the crowd.
This feels like a dream - or maybe I've stepped into an alternate universe. How else do you explain holding hands and feeling butterflies over the guy who was my enemy? The boy Iliterally attacked in high school. The man who, not too long ago, I wanted to throttle every time he walked into the Grind Stone.
If someone had told me this morning that I'd be here, feeling this way about Matthew Pearson of all people, I'd have laughed in their face. Yet here we are, and I'm struggling to wrap my head around it all.
When Matt glances back at me, our eyes lock for a moment. Then his expression changes as he looks over my shoulder. I turn to see what's caught his attention, and suddenly, my world tilts.
My knees give out, and I find myself on the ground before I even realize what's happening. For a split second, I'm scared, bracing for the familiar pain of hair being yanked or fists connecting with my back. But instead, I'm pushed, tripping over someone's foot and landing on my ass.
The party falls silent, everyone staring. It's like I've been catapulted back in time, to when my brother would attack me from behind like the coward he was. He'd push me down, grab my hair, and start swinging. Right now, I'm just sitting here stunned, but my body remembers. Every instinct screams at me to fight back, but I hold it in. This has to be an accident.
“Michelle, what the hell!” Matt's voice cuts through the silence. He's kneeling beside me in an instant, his eyes blazing with anger as he looks up at someone behind me.
I follow his gaze, and there she is.Michelle.I don't know her, but her face tells me everything I need to know. Jealous bitch.
"Are you okay?" Matt asks softly, helping me to my feet.
I stand, taking in Michelle's self-satisfied smirk. It's annoying to admit, but she's gorgeous. Even in the midst of this anger, I can't help but notice. Is this what they call pretty privilege? Because I'm not nearly as furious as I should be. Or maybe I've just grown up a bit.
I glance at Matt, noticing the fear in his eyes – fear of what I might do. But when I look back at Michelle, I realize I don't haveit in me to retaliate. Her smug face is begging for a reality check, but I'm not going to be the one to give it to her.
As I study her, it's clear she's had one too many. Part of me, the part that remembers what it's like to be young and stupid and jealous, almost understands. After all, I'm dancing with Matthew Pearson. He must be her fuck boy who probably never danced with her.
That thought is enough to make me turn away. I'm not thecrazy bitchI once was. I’m not going to hit her back. Sure, I engaged with Matt and played stupid pranks as a means to get back at him, but that's different. He can take it. This girl? Definitely won’t be able to handle anything I scoop for her.
I push past Matt and make my way out of the party, feeling everyone's eyes on me. I'm the outsider here, surrounded by strangers. What am I even doing here, dressed up like this, dancing with a guy I'm supposed to hate? And with zero alcohol in my system.
“Amber!” Matt calls out, his footsteps quick behind me.
I keep moving, my feet carrying me away from the chaos. There's a lump in my throat that threatens to turn into a full-blown meltdown if I don't get out of here. The last thing I need is to give these strangers a front-row seat to my vulnerability. Right now, all I want is the calm of the night air.
“Amber, wait up,” Matt calls, his voice closer now. “Are you alright?”
Before I can answer, Jen comes bursting out of the house, Harvey, Crew, and a few others hot on her heels.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” Jen asks, her eyes wide with concern.
I nod, inhaling. “Yeah, I'm fine.”
