Page 20 of Eddie

He was out his front door in record time. He kept checking his phone in case Matthias texted him again, but he didn’t. It made Eddie wonder if he was still struggling to wake up Jenna.

Thankfully, that didn’t seem to be the case because Matthias was in the parking lot when Eddie parked his truck there. Matthias was leaning against his truck, sipping on a takeout coffee cup and staring at his phone. He looked up when he heard Eddie’s truck and beamed, and all of Eddie’s doubts went right out the window. No matter how complicated this mess was, they’d find a way to make it work. Eddie was sure of that.

“I wasn’t sure you’d make it,” Matthias said, smiling at Eddie to welcome him.

“I wasn’t about to not see you before you left.”

“I’m glad. I didn’t want to leave without seeing you again, either.”

They stood there, staring at each other. There was so much more Eddie wanted to say, but he didn’t want to make Matthias feel like he should stick around when he clearly couldn’t. Of course Eddie wanted him to stay. If he had his way, Matthias would move to Green Hill over the next week. He’d even move him into his own house. It would be pointless for Matthias to find an apartment, wouldn’t it? It wasn’t like he and Eddie wouldn’t end up living together eventually, anyway.

It was a little awkward. They hadn’t kissed yet, and Eddie wanted his lips on Matthias. He also didn’t want their first kiss to be like this, though. He didn’t want to lose Matthias right after it.

Not that he was losing him. Matthias was just taking his sister home. Really, Eddie had become more dramatic since he’d met his mate.

“I don’t know how long it’s going to take me,” Matthias suddenly said. “But I’ll keep you updated.”

He reached for Eddie, and Eddie stepped forward, holding his breath. He wasn’t sure what was about to happen, but whatever it was, he wanted it.

“So that’s why you didn’t want me anywhere near him yesterday,” a woman’s voice said.

Matthias groaned and tilted his head down. Eddie didn’t have to look to know that Jenna was very much awake now.

Unfortunately.

MATTHIAS WASN’T SURPRISED that Jenna had managed to find the perfect moment to step out of the motel. If there was any way she could ruin Matthias’s life, she’d do it.

He turned toward his sister, hoping she could see the warning in the way he was watching her. She seemed more interested in Eddie, though. She was staring at him like he was a meal and she was starving, and every fiber of Matthias’s being rebelled against the thought. He was not letting his sister anywhere near his mate.

“If you’re ready, we should go,” he told her.

“I don’t know. I think that Green Hill has suddenly become very interesting,” Jenna purred.

“Get in the truck,” Matthias snapped. “I’m not joking, Jenna. If you don’t get in the truck right now, I’m leaving you here.” Considering what she’d just said, that would probably be a bad idea, but Matthias knew his sister. She wanted to go home to their mother so she would have someone who would pat her head and tell her that she was perfect and hadn’t done anything wrong, and that everything would be all right. She wouldn’t know how to survive on her own out here in Green Hill.

She stared at Eddie for another second before huffing and glaring at Matthias. “Fine.”

Matthias watched her climb into the truck. He was all too aware of his sister’s presence now. She’d broken the spell between him and Eddie.

It wasn’t a bad thing. Matthias needed to get on the road before his mother started blowing up his phone. It was still off, but she’d find a way. When it came to her precious babies, she always did.

Matthias turned back to Eddie. “Well, I guess that’s that.”

“You need to go to your family,” Eddie agreed.

“I need to tell them to fuck off,” Matthias grumbled. “Maybe one day, I’ll learn.”

“Your brother is in jail. You should probably check what that’s about before you tell him to fuck off.”

“He was probably drunk somewhere or something. I wouldn’t be too worried if I were you. If it was serious, my mother would’ve found a way to drag me back home right away. But I’ll let you know. I promise. I do want you to know what’s going on and what’s happening to me.”

“Focus on your family, but yes, please. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

Matthias decided to take a chance and took a step closer to Eddie. He heard Eddie’s sharp intake of breath, but he didn’t move away, not even when their bodies brushed together. Matthias wasn’t sure what he was doing. He wanted to stay, but he couldn’t. He wanted to make promises, but once again, how could he? He didn’t want to lie to Eddie. He didn’t want to tell him he’d be back soon when he had no idea when it would be possible for him to come back. He hated this situation, but the only way out of it was forward, and that meant dealing with his family. Once that was done, he could turn his focus on Eddie and their future. They both had a lot of decisions to make, but especially Matthias.

He couldn’t wait. He had prioritized his family for way too long. His excuse had always been that it wasn’t like he had anyone else, anyway, but he did now. He would never prioritize them over Eddie ever again. This was the last time, and he’d have to be clear to his parents about that. He was sure that Jenna seeing him with Eddie would help. She was probably on the phone with their mother right now, going on about Eddie. That meant that Matthias would have to answer a barrage of questions as soon as he climbed into the truck, but he could do it. Hell, he might even tell them to stop and that he wouldn’t say anything until he was home.

Except that he wasn’t really going home, was he? Buffalo certainly didn’t seem like it. His heart would stay in Green Hill with Eddie. His heart was Eddie.