Page 41 of The Other Room

Matt bounced up and down on the seat beside me, and my mind climbed into the elevator that went straight back down to the gutter.

“You like it? Really?”

“It’s perfect.”

“I’ve got one more surprise for you. Come on.” He sprung up with ease from the couch that didn’t insist on holding us hostage, and I popped up behind him. Matt led me outside onto the beach, and we walked up to the intriguing clump of driftwood he’d been working on earlier.

“Check it out.” He waved a hand over the driftwood. “I’m turning this into a coffee table.”

Tipping my head, I looked it over. “It looks cool, don’t get me wrong, but where are we supposed to set our drinks? It’s all twisty and stuff.”

“Oh, yeah. I should have explained better. This is just the base. I’ve got a piece of glass coming that will attach to the top. Then we’ll be able to look down through it to this driftwood base I’m crafting.”

My eyebrows shot to my hairline. “Okay. Now that is seriously cool. You’re making this?”

A proud smile lifted his lips while he puffed out his chest. “Yeah. I got the idea when I was walking on the shore the other morning. I’ve been collecting the driftwood ever since.”

“You could sell these. Like, seriously, Matt.”

He’d always been creative. It was part of why he had such a hard time sticking to one job. His mind was always demanding a challenge, and new and interesting stimulation. But this... this was a perfect combination – taking advantage of all his creativity and talent with his hands.

“You think?” He stepped back and stared at it.

“Yeah. I know. It’s beautiful. Like art. And I bet people would be falling over themselves for handcrafted Door County driftwood furniture.”

He scrubbed a hand down his face, and I saw those wheels turning in his mind. “You know... I bet I could figure out how to make more custom driftwood styles. Like chairs, tables, lamps, and other house décor.”

“Matt. You should do this.” I turned and looked at him. “Like, for real. This could be your thing. You get to use your creativity, your building skills, and you’d never get bored always getting to come up with different designs.”

Pursing his lips, he looked back over at his creation. “Jo, I think you may be on to something. I could start up my own handyman business and make furniture as well.”

“I got your back.” I bumped him with a hip.

“What would I do without you?”

“Try not to fuck up again and let’s hope you don’t ever need to find out.”

His smile softened, and he nodded. “You have my word, Jo. Never again. I know how much you value honesty, loyalty, and friendship. And God knows I know how you feel about cheating after...”

His voice drifted off.

After my dad.

He didn’t need to say it. I knew he understood how badly that had fucked me up. I hadn’t needed a therapist to tell me I had abandonment issues since my dad had walked out at a crucial time in his daughter’s life. Instead of a therapist, I’d had Matt. And though I was still a far cry from being capable of healthy relationships, I’d always had Matt to lean on when that scared and scarred little girl inside me had tossed a stick of dynamite into my relationships. It’d always been him who’d been there to help me deconstruct what I’d done. To support me and help me recover from each catastrophe.

And after all these years, he was still the only man I’d ever completely trusted. I trusted Jake as well, but Matt and I shared a different connection. After his dad left too, he understood the searing pain of a father’s rejection. He was the only one I’d ever been able to open up to about my dad and how messed up I was on the inside. To feel safe and secure sharing even the most painful parts of me with someone I trusted with my whole heart.

Until last year when even he’d shaken me to my core. And with one whisper of betrayal, my safety net had been yanked away.

Matt hadn’t exactly cheated... that honor belonged to Nikki, but he’d been a willing participant. He’d been the hussy who’d stolen my father away and broken up my family. The dirty mistress whose selfishness destroyed a relationship and affected everyone within blast range. And once again that someone had included me.

And maybe that was part of why my anger for him had lingered on as long as it had. My dad’s betrayal had damaged something deep inside me I didn’t think would ever be whole again. And though I’d never forgive my father for what he’d done, I was willing to forgive Matt. I had to. Not having him in my life was too painful.

“Yeah. Shitty dad issues rearing their head again,” I said on a sigh. “But you aren’t going to do that again, so it’s a moot point.”

“Exactly.” He gave me a sharp nod.

“Exactly.”