10. Matt

10

MATT

She wasn’t kidding. Everyone fell in love with her. She laughed with the other women, and she doesn’t seem to know a thing about football, but she entertained the guys by asking questions that were so crazy they were all holding their sides from laughing so hard. And word must have gotten around about her handing out cupcakes, because the kids all sought her out, and she made sure to sneak them each one.

We watched while Little B opened presents and blew out candles, and when everything was about to wind down, we helped Callie clean up.

I walk over to Brody, ready to get out of here. He must see the impatience on my face because he starts in before I get to him. “Forget it.”

“Forget what?”

He shakes his head. “Forget my warning. You’re already hooked.”

I shrug my shoulders, and Brody shrugs. “She’s a good one. She fits in, and man, did you see how Little B and all the kids liked her? You better not screw this up.”

I shake my head. “I’m not going to screw it up.”

But even saying it, I’m worried. Her ex really did a number on her, and he obviously tried to hide the light that is April. How could he not have realized that a woman like that is meant to shine?

I look for April, and Trick is standing next to her. Fuck me. I swear, it’s been ten seconds since I left her. From across the room, I can tell she’s uncomfortable and trying to cover it up by talking to Calvin. At least I hope she’s not interested in Trick. There’s a reason he’s named that, and it’s not because of his plays on the field. “I gotta go, Brody.”

I walk over to April, putting my hand on her shoulder and brushing her long black hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “You about ready?”

“Yeah, sure. It was nice to meet you, Trick. I’ll see you around, Calvin,” she tells them, and I give Trick the look, letting him know she’s mine. I’ve made a point to touch April on the shoulder, or back, or waist. I wanted to reassure her that I wanted her with me, but I also wanted to warn off any of my teammates that were here. If they don’t know it by now, they’re just idiots, because April’s mine. At least I want her to be mine.

We go toward the door. I grab the cake stands from the now empty dessert table. Her cake and cupcakes were a huge hit. We stop long enough to tell Violet and Callie bye, I wave at Josh, and then we’re heading out.

I help her into my truck before running around to the driver’s side. “Everyone loved the cake and cupcakes.”

She answers me softly. “Yeah, they seemed to, didn’t they?”

I chuckle. “They did for sure. I’m pretty sure Little B has you wrapped around his finger.”

She sighs and looks out the window. “He’s a cute kid.”

She’s quiet, and instead of a comfortable silence, it becomes awkward. For me at least because my mind starts to come up with all kinds of reasons. She leans her head back against the seat and closes her eyes.

I try not to freak out. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I put my arm on the console just to be closer to her. Fuck, I said Little B has her wrapped around his finger. April totally has me wrapped around hers. I’m thinking all kinds of things that I probably shouldn’t be.

When I pull into Whiskey Run, April opens her eyes and lifts her head. I sneak a look at her and see her frowning. I break the silence. “What did I do?” I ask her.

She shakes her head but doesn’t look at me. “Nothing.”

I think back to everything, and then it hits me. “Look, if you’re interested in Trick...”

She gives me a look of pure disgust. “I’m not.”

I clench the steering wheel. “Did he do something? Say something?”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Forget it, Matt. It’s not a big deal.”

I look over at her and have to jerk back onto the road. “What the fuck did he say?”

“Nothing. I’m not even worried about it. I’m used to men like him, Matt. I can handle it.”

I lean up in my seat. “Obviously he upset you. You haven’t said a word the whole way. Why are you mad if it’s not Trick?”

“I’m not mad.”

I blow out a breath. “April, talk to me. There’s obviously something wrong. I’m about to turn around and go find Trick.”

“It’s not him.”

“Then what is it?”

She takes a deep breath, and I’m waiting for her to fall back into silence, but she surprises me when she starts to ramble. “Look, this is a one-night stand. One night and we’re already into night two. You’re leaving in a week—well, less than a week; it’s four days. I had a good time, but it’s over. It is what it is. Right? I mean, this is it. I’m just melancholy, I guess. It’s no big deal. Thank you for tonight. I promise that I’ll watch more football next season.”

Luckily, I’m pulling into her driveway because everything in me tells me to slam on the brakes. As soon as I stop, she grabs her purse and is out the door. “Thank you again for tonight. I had a great time with you.”

She is briskly walking away from me, but there’s no way I’m letting her go. Fuck!

I get out and slam the truck door and jog after her. I get to her just as she gets the front door unlocked and is about to walk inside. “Matt... please don’t make this harder than it is. It was fun. Let’s just...”

I put my hand on her shoulder and turn her around to face me. She’s staring at my chest, and her eyes are filled with tears. I swear, one little blink and they’re overflowing. I know she’ll freak out if I tell her what I’m thinking. So I try to keep it casual.

“Four days, April. I don’t leave for four days.”

She shrugs, and all at once, two big tear drops trail down her cheeks. I cup her face and use my thumbs to wipe them away. “Let’s enjoy the next four days.”

She starts to argue like I knew she would. “Seriously, if you’re asking me to walk away right now, I will, if that’s what you really want. But I need you to know that I don’t want to. I want to stay.”

She sniffles. She’s searching my face. “What do you want to do tonight then?”

I push her hair off her face and start to walk her into her house. She’s walking backwards, but there’s no way I’d let her fall. “I was hoping to get another taste of that pussy... Unless you’re too tired.”

“No!” she says, and her face turns red. “I mean, I’m not too tired.”

I kick the door closed with my boot and walk with her hand in hand to her room.