“Eventful,” I said as I made my way down the sidewalk to Miller’s truck. I’d texted her last night to let her know Tanner had found us a place to stay. Mrs. Alcaraz had brought our bags over today. We hadn’t brought much. But our trip yesterday had taken care of that. Jacob pretty much had a replica of his room back home here. “So…where does Matt work?”
“Are you going to see him?”
“Yeah. Jacob wants to stay in the city. And I don’t want to put you in an awkward position any longer.”
“Thank you,” Kennedy said. “He works at his father’s company.”
“Does he?” I smiled to myself. That was what he’d always wanted.
“Well, technically he’s the CEO.”
“That’s amazing,” I said. I was happy for him. Maybe he’d gone after all his dreams after all. Maybe, despite what his friends seemed to think, Matt really was happy. Fulfilled. In love with my best friend. I shook away the thought. That last part was none of my business.
I cleared my throat. “Well, I guess I should get this over with.”
“Good luck,” Kennedy said. “Not that you need it, of course. But could you maybe call me after? To just…let me know what…happened?”
I laughed, even though it was forced. “Kennedy, I promise nothing weird is going to happen. I mean, the worst is that I’m going to slap him.”
Kennedy didn’t laugh. “Okay just…please call me.”
“I will.”
“Thanks,” she said. “And no matter what, just know that I love you. Really, no matter what.”
She was being so weird right now. What did she think I was going to do? Bang him on his desk? She was seriously way off base here. “I love you too.” I hung up as I climbed into Miller’s truck.
I took a deep breath of Miller’s scent that still lingered. Yeah, Kennedy was definitely way off base.
I took another deep breath and pulled the truck away from the curb. It had been 16 years since I’d spoken to Matt. Fifteen years since the last time I’d seen him. This was probably going to be the most awkward conversation of my life. But I needed him to know the truth. I needed to clear the air. I’d told Kennedy, James, Rob, and Penny that I’d do this. And I wasn’t a liar.
Matt was the liar.
I shook away the thought. Thinking about that wasn’t the best way to start a conversation.
It didn’t take me long to get to MAC International’s high rise. The commute from the house I was staying in was pretty easy.Not that that tidbit of information mattered at all. This would be the first and only time I’d be visiting Matt at work. Or visiting him period.
Finding a parking space was a whole different problem though. I circled the block twice before a space right out front opened up. I quickly pulled into the spot and cut the engine.
My heart was racing and I willed it to calm down.
This would be easy.
In and out in just a few minutes. I’d just pop in and say, “Hi, sorry about 16 years ago. My father kidnapped me. But then I stayed away because you were an asshole.” Easy peasy.
My stomach churned as I leaned forward to look at the high rise out of my front windshield. The building was intimidating. All metal and glass.
I so badly just wanted to drive away. Just like I had all those years ago.
But Kennedy was my best friend. And Scarlett was Jacob’s new best friend. Which meant in order for Jacob to hang out with her, I needed to do this for James and Rob.
It was easier to think about doing this for other people’s benefit. Because I really, really didn’t want to do it for me. I was content with my decision to leave that day when I’d seen Matt in the pool. I’d made my peace with letting him think I was dead. And I truly thought it was in everyone’s best interest.
Maybe I should say something more along those lines. Instead of the him-being-an-asshole thing.
I took another deep breath and climbed out of the truck. I slammed the door and walked up to the building.
And when I reached the doors, I immediately turned around and walked back to the truck.
