Page 59 of The Third Girl

CHAPTER 26

SKYLAR

By the time we finish up at the hospital it’s getting late. Finally ready to leave, Matt and I walk out to the parking lot together, then I wait while he puts Skylar into her car seat. I don’t know what the right move is here. Today’s call from Matt had been a complete surprise. When I saw his name pop up on my screen, I almost didn’t answer, but I’m glad my gut told me I should, no matter that I’d put a halt to whatever this thing is between us. The panic in his voice had hit me hard. The fear. And there’s nowhere else I’d rather have been tonight than here, supporting him. I simply don’t know what any of it means. He’d spent some time while they were putting the cast on Sailor’s arm sending texts out to family and friends to let them know about the tumble she’d taken and subsequent visit to the hospital.

But it wasmehe called to be here with him.

Trying not to read too much into it—but finding it difficultnotto—I draw in a slow breath as he shuts the car door and turns to face me. His expression is haggard, his hair a tugged-on mess, and his shoulders droop. “She’ll be okay, Matt. You heard the doctor. Kids fall down all the time. It’s like a rite of passage. Accidents happen.”

He glances through the window, and I peek, too. Sailor’s already shut her eyes, clearly exhausted from all the excitement of the day. He turns around, sighs deeply, and leans back against the door of the car. “I should have been watching her better.”

I wet my lips and note the frown on his face and the deep lines down the middle of his forehead. He’s beating himself up over this. His anguish wreaks havoc on my heart. I can’t bear to see him like this. “What were you doing when it happened?”

“Cooking dinner. I thought she was in the living room, playing like she always has in the past. But I guess she decided she’d go upstairs.” He rakes his fingers through his hair. “Fuck,” he groans quietly. “I should have been watching.”

“Are you listening to yourself? You were preparing food for your child. You weren’t neglecting her. Kids do what they’re going to do. It’s actually such a crazy thing to watch them grow and learn from mistakes.” Eyeing him, I shake my head, not liking what I’m seeing when I scan his features. “You look incredibly exhausted.” But more than that, it’s clear that no matter what I say, he feels awful. I can’t blame him for that. She’s his baby. I get it. But damn, why does his pain feel like mine? There’s a lump in my throat that’s been there since I arrived at the hospital—and it won’t go away.

He chuckles, wincing. “Yeah. Who knew that someone else’s broken bone would make me feel broken, too.” Scraping his teeth over his lower lip, he shakes his head. “I bet I’m in for a long night.”

My heart squeezes, and I press my lips together, unsure what to do. My gut says he needs someone to be there for him tonight, if only so he doesn’t feel so alone in dealing with whatever is about to come his way. “I can sleep at your place. If it’d help you out to have someone else able to get up with her.” I see the cringe on his face. “Or if you want to be the one to get up with her during the night, at least I could be there when she wakes up in the morning so you can get some rest. I already took tomorrow off because of the rehearsal dinner.” I shrug. “All of my stuff is at your place. It’s not a big deal.”

A harsh exhale bursts from his lips. “No. It’s areallybig deal. But I’d appreciate having backup tonight. If you’re sure you don’t mind.” He reaches out, taking my hand, and pulls me against his chest. “Thank you for being here for us today,” he murmurs, his lips in my hair. “I don’t know if I said that earlier.”

“It’s okay. You didn’t have to say it. I knew.” I bite down on the soft flesh of my lip, worrying it between my teeth. “Matt, I need to ask you something.” I breathe carefully. In. Out. I’m scared to ask, but I need to know. I mumble against his chest, “Why did you callme?”

I feel the hitch of his breath, his chest jerking with it. He threads his fingers through the hair at the back of my head and eases me back to look into his eyes. “Sky, you were the only one I wanted to talk to. Literally, the first person that leapt into my head. And I knew Sailor would be more comfortable if you were with us. But the truth is I wanted you, specifically, here for me. You’re a calming presence in my life and in that moment—” He stops to search my eyes. “I needed you in a way I need no one else.”

I nod, my mind blown by his honesty. Wrapped up in his arms like this, I allow myself to wonder—What if he was mine?

His stare is heated, and his chest expands with his intake of breath, and before I know it, he’s crushed his lips to mine. This is no ordinary kiss. It carries a depth of emotion that I wasn’t prepared for. His mouth is bruising in its intensity, and when his tongue sweeps between my lips to find mine, my heart picks up speed, beating furiously in my chest. It wants to claw its way out from behind my rib cage and join his inside his body. Live there forever.

When we finally break apart, Matt captures my face between both hands. Nudges my nose with his. “What would I do without you, Sky?”

I slowly shake my head, a lovesick smile on my face that I have trouble hiding. “Let’s get you guys home. Are you okay to drive?”

“Yeah, absolutely. You’ll follow us?”

“Yes.” I’d follow Matt anywhere. In my heart, I know I’d be his. All he has to do is ask.

* * *

I pull into the driveway behind Matt, and hurry over to him. He’s got the chest clip unbuckled and Sailor’s uninjured arm free. He shifts to face me when he sees me standing there and holds out his keys. “Would you mind opening the door?”

I take the keys he’s dangling, shaking my head. “Not at all.” Before I move, I notice he’s turned back to his daughter, but is standing completely still with his hands on his hips. “What’s wrong?”

He grits his teeth. “I’m afraid I’m going to hurt her.”

“Matt. You won’t. Loosen the strap a bit. You’ve got this.”

He rubs his hand over his heart, his handsome face contorting into a grimace. “This day has been the worst.”

“It’s almost over. You’re handling everything great, whether you think you are or not.” I turn, leaving him to it, and unlock the house, letting myself in. I dash upstairs, pausing for only a second, thinking about poor Sailor taking a tumble down them, before I make my way up to her room. I set out a diaper, then dig through her pajamas to find one with stretchy enough fabric to accommodate her cast. I rummage around, looking for one of the sleep sacks she likes, but don’t see any in the drawer.

I’m halfway down the stairs when Matt comes through the front door with a still-sleeping Sailor in his arms. With his free hand he gestures that I should go back up. “I might need help,” he whispers.

In her room, he lays her down on the changing table. Eyeing the clothing and diaper I set out, he motions to it. “Thank you.”

“Just trying to be helpful. Are her sleep sacks hiding somewhere?”

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