Page 7 of Eddie

“Probably, unless you want your sister to literally blow up your phone. She might be in trouble.”

“She’s not in trouble. She is trouble. It’s sweet of you to be worried about her, but you shouldn’t be. She’s fine. I’m sure the reason she’s calling is because I’m not getting there quickly enough or something.” Maybe she wanted him to pick up something to eat or drink. That wouldn’t be a surprise, either.

They got up and cleaned up the table. Matthias was doing everything he could to waste a little more time, but eventually, they walked out of the coffee shop. They stood there for a moment, watching each other. It took everything in Matthias’s power not to reach for his mate, pull him into his arms, and tell him about their bond. Instead, he forced himself to smile at him. “See you soon.”

Eddie’s smile was everything. “Is that a promise?” he asked.

“It is.” Because no matter what Jenna thought or said, Matthias wasn’t wasting this opportunity. He’d told Eddie he was coming back, and he would be. Of course, it would be easier if he first drove home, left Jenna there, and came back, but that would take way too long. He’d promised Eddie he’d be back tomorrow, and he’d keep that promise.

Turning around to climb into his truck was the hardest thing Matthias had ever done, or at least, it felt like it. He forced himself to keep his focus on the truck, then the road, only glancing back at Eddie once before he turned the truck onto the street. Eddie was standing there, his hands in his jeans pockets, watching Matthias go. Matthias waved, and when his phone started vibrating again, he huffed and pressed the screen to answer.

“Finally,” Jenna snapped. “Why did it take you so long to answer? Where are you?”

“I had to take a break to get something to eat and forgot my phone in the truck. Is something wrong?”

“Everything is wrong. I want to go home.”

Matthias wasn’t surprised that Jenna had been calling to whine. It was what she did every time, and every time, he answered because that was what was expected of him. He loved his sister, and he didn’t want anything to happen to her, but sometimes, her neediness made him want to scream.

He didn’t scream. Instead, he settled in his seat. “Tell me what’s going on,” he told Jenna.

She sucked in a breath. “Tommy’s here.”

“Of course he is. Isn’t that his place?”

“Yeah, but I was packing, and there’s stuff he wants me to leave.”

Matthias was tempted to ask Jenna if that stuff belonged to Tommy, but he didn’t. Instead, he listened to her complain and to the sound of Tommy’s voice in the background. Hopefully, neither of them would do anything stupid because Matthias was still too far to step in if they did.

Chapter Two

EDDIE STAYED IN THE parking lot long enough to watch Matthias’s truck disappear from sight, feeling ridiculous but also unable to move. He’d wanted to suggest he could go with Matthias, which was ridiculous. He didn’t know Jenna and barely knew Matthias, so what was he supposed to do if he went? Stand awkwardly to the side while Matthias took care of his sister? And what would he tell Les? He hadn’t minded Eddie being a little late, but that would’ve been an entirely different problem.

No, it was better this way, even though it didn’t feel like it. If Eddie was honest with himself, it felt like Matthias was taking his heart with him, which was ridiculous. They’d talked for maybe ten minutes, possibly fifteen. Why was Eddie’s heart behaving as if Matthias had abandoned him? He didn’t owe him anything, and he’d be back tomorrow. Besides, Eddie had his phone number now. He didn’t think Matthias would mind if he texted. He was tempted to do it now, but he needed to get to work. Besides, Matthias was driving. He probably wouldn’t see the text anytime soon.

Eddie climbed into his truck and headed toward work, mentally preparing himself for the teasing he’d have to endure. It would be worth it.

Valentine’s and Les’s trucks were parked in front of the office when he got there, which meant that Eddie wasn’t avoiding the interrogation. At least it looked like most of the crew had left already, which was a relief. Eddie would have enough to deal with between his boss and Valentine.

He slid out of the truck and headed to Les’s office. He could hear them talking, and the door was open, so he knocked and quickly stepped in. Both men turned to look at him. Valentine looked delighted, which didn’t bode well.

“Eddie! I wasn’t sure you’d be able to tear yourself away from that guy.”

“I told Les I’d be about fifteen minutes late. He knew I was coming.”

Les was behind his desk, his fingers linked on top of his stomach. He didn’t look as gleeful as Valentine, but he was smiling, and there was a sparkle in his eyes that told Eddie he needed to be careful.

“You being late isn’t a problem,” Les reassured Eddie. “That said, I have to say I’m curious. Valentine was telling me about this guy at the coffee shop.”

“Matthias.” As little as Eddie wanted to answer Valentine’s intrusive questions, he also wanted to talk about Matthias. In fact, he wanted to brag about him, which wasn’t like him. He didn’t have much to brag about, anyway. He barely knew the guy.

“So you got his name,” Valentine said.

“I got his phone number. He’s also driving through again tomorrow, so I’ll see him.”

“Like on a date?”

“I don’t know if I’d call it a date. We just agreed to see each other.”