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Instead, he grabbed my glass of vodka from the table and downed it.
I knew it was my fault—I’d behaved like the world’s biggest asshole earlier—and with each word that remained unspoken, the weight on my chest grew heavier.
I’d felt cornered earlier…and lashed out at everyone.
Behaved like the biggest jerk ever.
So much for keeping my ego in check. So much for my famous self-control.
Gone.
Completely, fucking gone…along with any self-respect.
I refilled the glass for Matteo, then took a swig from the bottle until I finally gathered the courage to break the silence and match his gaze head-on.
“I’m sorry, man. I didn’t mean what I said earlier.” My voice wavered slightly—caused by the booze—not the burning tightness in my chest that not even the night’s cool breeze could ease.
Not that I had nearly enough to drink to erase the memories of hurt on Fee’s face.
Hurt I caused.
Fuck.
I groaned and rubbed my chest.
Matteo chuckled, his dark eyes meeting mine with quiet patience. “Alex, I’ve known you long enough not to listen when you’re talking out of your ass. Sometimes you have the emotional maturity of a fifteen-year-old idiot. But you won’t get rid of me so easily, even if you try.” He paused. “Our friendship is stronger than that.”
Relief flooded me, and I exhaled. Had I held my breath all this time? The deep bond we shared, forged over the years, was one I couldn’t afford to lose.
Matt was like a brother to me, one who didn’t abandon the family like Gabe or was annoying the hell out of me like Cristo. Matteo had always been just a phone call away.
I clinked the bottle against his glass and took another swig, the liquid fire burning its way down my throat.
“Fiona, on the other hand…” Matteo petered off.
I sighed and raked my hand through my hair.
“You should listen to her, you know. Your mother isn’t at fault, and being mean to her only hurts you.”
As if I didn’t know that already. “I’ll stop being an asshole to my mom, I promise.”
Because Fee was right. But also completely wrong—for me. Those fucking eyes. That fucking grit of hers whenever she stood up to me.
And to top it off, her vulnerability that drew me in like nobody’s business.
Matt stared at me. I could practically feel his foot bouncing. But I needed time to think about the Fee situation.
Needed time to figure things out.
When I said nothing, he pressed on, unwilling to let it go. “And what about Fiona?”
“Fiona shouldn’t have been there in the first place,” I grumbled, my thoughts a whirlwind of frustration.
“And that’s where you’re wrong,” Matteo countered. “Her place is by your side, and vice versa. And if you can’t see that, you’re a fucking moron.”
His words struck a chord deep within me, and a surge of irritation mixed with uncertainty blasted through me. I didn’t need anyone by my side—especially not Fee. Right?
Right.
