Chapter 11

MATT

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I almost kissed Darcy Davidson. I wanted to kiss her more than anything I've ever wanted. I wanted it more than being a Carolina Reaper. When I saw her tongue sweep across her lips, nothing mattered more on this Earth than my lips connecting with hers. If Jay had stayed outside five more seconds, it would've happened. Then what would I've done?

There's no stepping back from crossing that line. I can hear it now. ‘Yeah, Cole, about your sister, the one person you asked me to look after and protect. Yeah, I kissed her and didn't want to stop there.' Fuck no. That conversation will not happen.

After I came to my senses, we had dinner and a rousing game night where the girls kicked our ass in every event: Jenga, Scattergories, Heads Up. Nah, we didn't have a chance playing against those two. They've been linked for years and know each other better than themselves. Jay and I just fumbled through and let them have their fun. We reverse Uno'ed them and made them drink when they won instead of us drinking when we lost. Jay and I agreed we needed to be the responsible ones. I can tell he cares about the girls, too, especially Sammie.

The kicker of the evening? The more they drank, laughed, and mocked us, the more fun I had. I enjoyed watching them high-five each other and wiggle their butts in celebration. Hell, even with my competitive spirit, I was cheering for them to win to watch the dances and brace myself for the smack talk.

I admit, watching Darcy laugh freely and let loose did inexplicable things to my chest. Working with her these few weeks, I'm watching the stress and worry chip away at her usual carefree spirit. She smiles and acts like she's fine, but she's not fooling me. The pressure is getting to her. Tonight was good because she let loose and relaxed.

Darcy and Sammie are doing some TikTok dance in the living room as they celebrate their latest win in Pictionary.

"We have a situation," Jay tells me in the kitchen.

"What? That we can't draw for shit?" I chuckle at my last attempt to draw pickle juice. You can only imagine what it looked like. The girls were in tears as Jay yelled every euphemism for ejaculation Urban Dictionary has to offer.

"Well, thank god that situation is over. No, you know they can't drive?"

"Of course," I growl. Jay implying I'd let either of them drive kicks in my protector mode, and I stand a little taller. "I figured they could sleep it off here. It's not the first time."

Jay's slow smile is one I've seen on guys when they recall an excellent female memory. I don't like the idea of him thinking of Darcy like that. With that, I step a little closer. I like Jay, and he seems like a good guy, but if he's seen Darcy in an inappropriate situation, I'll have to hurt him.

"Down, lover boy." His words catch me off guard, and I quirk my eyebrow at him.

"Dude, it's obvious you like Darcy. You track her every movement around the room like a man possessed. She's a great girl, and I'd never do anything to hurt her. She's safe with me, I promise. But them staying here tonight is not a good option."

Like a man possessed? I let his words sink in but decide not to address them. Avoidance is the best tactic here. I will admit watching her cry, and Jay reaching out to comfort her, set off alarms in my head I didn't know existed. I damn near tackled him to get to her.

"Yeah, why not?"

"First, Sammie has an early class," Jay starts.

I interrupt before he can get to the second point. "You know her class schedule?"

"Yeah, we've, uh, been hanging out a lot." Jay gives me a shrug.

"Okay, she can drive back before class."

Jay looks back at the girls as they giggle and fall into an oversized, comfy bean bag chair. He's right. They're wasted. I smile at their connection and think back to when we were younger, and they would be in the back seat of my car, their giggles floating into the front seat, overtaking the radio, while Cole and I would drive them to a friend's house or the movies so many years ago.

"No, the water is getting cut for some scheduled plumbing work first thing in the morning. I was going to offer to take them back to their place tonight if that's okay with you."

I think about his offer. Jay has proven trustworthy and cares about the girls, especially Sammie. Like me, he only had two beers, and that was hours ago. He's good to drive. Sammie is tipsy, but Darcy is leaning more toward drunk. I recall Darcy's schedule tomorrow and remember she has a meeting back at the house in the morning.

"Why don't you take Sammie back and I'll take Darcy to my place? It's on the island. That way, she can be back here early enough for her meeting and get maximum sleep. That is, if the girls are okay with that idea." Even under the influence, consent is everything.

Jay arches his eyebrow, questioning my motives.

I chuckle. "Trust me. She needs sleep. And Cole would kill me."

"Who's Cole?"

"Her brother." I sigh. "And my best friend."

Jay lets out a low whistle. "Oh man, I hate that for you, but it explains a lot. The best friend's little sister is a no-go zone." He pops me on the shoulder. "That bro code is sacred. But I don't know." He shrugs his shoulders and smirks at me.

I give him a skeptical look. "I'll go see what the girls want to do. Do you mind finishing the cleanup?" He smiles and grabs the trashcan, scooping the takeout containers into the bag. I have my answer.

When I return to the living room, the girls are still in the bean bag chair. Darcy's eyes are closed, and she looks peaceful. Sammie is scrolling through her phone.

"So, what's the plan?" she asks.

"What makes you think there's a plan?" I ask.

"Because I know you, Matt Hartman. You're a protector and planner if there ever was one." That's what I get for not expanding my social circle. I'm with people who know me, down to my soul.

"Well, safety first. Are you comfortable if Jay takes you home? I don't think either of you are in any shape to drive, and Jay says this house won't be habitable in the morning."

"Yeah, that's fine." She gives me a mischievous grin. "I'll keep my finger on your number if that would make you feel better."

"Sammie, I trust your judgment. I just don't want you to be uncomfortable."

She sighs and glances at the kitchen. "He's one of the good guys, Matt. Just like you." She gives me a wink. "What are you going to do with sleeping beauty here?" Darcy is sleeping with her head on Sammie's shoulder.

"She has an early morning meeting back here, so I'll just take her back to my place down the road, and she can get a good night's sleep. I'll get her back here ready to go in the morning. Do you think she'll be okay with that?" I mean what I say about consent, but I don't want to wake her when she looks so peaceful.

"Yeah, hang on a minute, and I'll pack her a quick bag. We've both left some overnight items here." Sam gently extracts herself from the chair and is a little unsteady.

"You sure you're okay?" I question, grabbing her by the upper arms to steady her.

"Yeah, probably shouldn't have done that last round of shots, but I'm good. Able to pack a bag but not enough to drive good. I'm sleeping more than Darce most nights, though. She's just wiped out."

Sammie rushes upstairs. She returns and hands me a floral backpack as Jay enters the living room. I watch Darcy sleep, a small smile gracing her face. She's content, exactly how she should be at this point in her life.

"We good?" Jay asks.

"Yup, looks like you're my Uber driver. I hope you have five stars," Sammie teases Jay.

"Yes, ma'am." Jay jingles his keys and makes his way to the door.

"You need help?" Sammie asks as she looks at Darcy.

"Nah, I've got her. You guys be careful and let me know you got home, okay?"

"Yes, Dad," she says condescendingly and pats me on the arm. "I'll lock up behind you."

With the bag over my shoulder, I lean down to get Darcy. I gently pick her up and pull her toward me, holding her tight. She fits easily in my long arms and snuggles against my chest without opening her eyes. I kiss her gently on the top of the head.

"Come on, pretty girl, I've got you," I whisper as I carry her to the car. Jay opens the passenger door for me while Sammie locks up the house.

After buckling her up, I check with Sammie one last time. "You think she'll be okay with this? I can always bring her back to your place."

"Yeah, but then she won't have her car. She'll be fine on your couch. Remember, coffee first thing in the morning. She'll be good as new." She gives me a wink and loops her arm in Jay's.

"Text me," I say directly to Sammie. She may not be my best friend's sister, but she's family, nonetheless.

I get in the car and glance over at Darcy. Her long dark hair slips out of her messy bun, softly framing her face. I reach over and put the errant strand of hair behind her ear. When she pulled her hair up during our heated Jenga game, I saw a competitive streak that wasn't typical of Darcy. I have to admit, it was sexy. She's changed since I've been away, but she's still sweet, adorable, kind Darcy at her core.

I drive a few minutes to my beach rental and carry Darcy inside. There's no way I'm letting her sleep on my couch. I take her to my bedroom and gently lay her down.

I debate with myself about her sleeping in her clothes, but waking up without clothes will upset her. Instead, I take her shoes off and tuck her in. The small bag Sammie packed sits on the nightstand within her reach, and I step out of the bedroom to lock up the house. With a blanket in hand, I make my way to the couch.

Every attempt to get comfortable is futile. I can't settle down. Darcy is on the other side of that wall and she's occupying my every thought.

Sammie texts to let me know she's home. I respond, telling her to have sweet dreams. She sends a "you too" and a winky emoji. What does that mean?

I check on Darcy and see she's curled up on her side, a sweet smile on her lips. Leaning on the door frame, I battle with myself. What if she gets sick or needs me? What if she wakes up scared because she doesn't know where she is? My protective side is laughing at me, knowing she doesn't need me, but I need to take care of her. As a friend? As a surrogate big brother? Cole wouldn't be here having this internal debate. He'd be snoring on the couch without thinking twice about this. And he's a grumpy, overprotective bastard regarding his sister. Yeah, but he's not here right now, and she's on my watch. Staying by her side is for her safety.

I give in and lay next to her. I can stay on this side of the bed and care for her. After all, that's my job.