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“You still living with those two?” Coop’s mother asks.
Matt extends his hand to her and greets her. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Cooperson.” Viviane only stares at it. “As usual, your manners astonish me.”
I chew my cheek, holding in the comment that it’s a Connecticut thing.
The younger woman who stands next to her gives a thorough glance to Matt and smiles wickedly. “Your taste in men has improved, big brother.” Her eyes then divert toward me, gazing at me up and down several times. Studying me.
I’m thankful I slipped on a cover-up, or I’d be considered some trashy tattoo whore now. Those dark eyes close up on me, as she takes one step closer, her eyes widen.
“Wow, don’t you clean up nice,” she says with an air of disgust.
That’s the moment I register I’m thoroughly fucked and not in a good way. Her eyes shift toward Matt, and her head angles. “Huh, seriously, MJ Decker?” The gaze shifts back to me, a wicked smile plastered on her red lips. “Is this like an upgrade? You’re fucking celebrities.”
I swallow hard. Did she recognize me? I’m at a loss for words. Fuck me all the way to Sunday. I shouldn’t have colored my hair back to its original shade. If I’m going out, I’ll have to use a hat and sunglasses. Hide. I’m so stupid. If this woman knows who I am, many others will know too.
“Are they white trash, Fey?” Viviane takes a step backward while her gaze searches for an exit.
Yes, leave and never come back,I want to say.
“White trash?” Matt glares at her.
“Yeah, he’s dating the drunk from thekids’ channel, and the bad boy of Without A Compass,” the sister says, making it clear she knows who I amandthat she doesn’t approve.
“Is it true, Tristan?” Viviane demands. “That the whore is a drunk?”
“Get the fuck out of my house, Mother,” Tristan orders, pointing toward the gate. “Neither one of you is allowed into my home until you learn to respect my family. That meansmy boyfriend and my girlfriend.”
Viviane slams a fist against the left side of her chest, gasping for air. But Fey smiles, a wicked smile that sends shivers through my body.
“Out,” Tristan repeats, lightly pushing them to the exit and disappearing with them.
“Did he just say… my boyfriend?” Matt’s voice cracks. “He fucking did.”
He smiles and I hold him tight because for him this is it. The complete acceptance he’s been waiting for from Coop.
For a few moments I share his happiness, bury my worries about the bitch. But I can’t help fear that tomorrow my picture might appear everywhere, portrayed as the failed child star. The anxiety pulsates inside my heart, but I won’t tarnish Matt’s happy moment with it.
Not today.
ChapterThirty-Two
Matthew
I watchmy girl setting up the patio table. She looks breathtaking. The long dress she wears defines all her curves and shows some of her tattoo butterflies.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to say, “Let’s cancel this and head back to bed,” but I don’t say that. Instead, I reassure her. “Everything is ready, Butterfly.”
I place the marinated meat in the outside fridge.
Thea chews on her lip as she stares at me with those magical eyes that hypnotize me. “I like that we’re hosting dinner, like we’re a real couple or you know, a unit.”
She switches the centerpiece she made earlier today. “Seven people, are you sure? The plates… are they okay?”
“Yes, two couples and us. Gracie doesn’t need a place yet. Jacob is out of the country.”
“Matt, your brother is at the door—with his wife.” Tristan’s eyes divert to Thea who growls and counts the place settings again. “I’ll help her set a couple more places while you receive him.”
Thea is behaving out of the norm. Usually, she doesn’t care as much if our plates match or the cutlery is set in the right spot. For today we bought a brand-new set of dishes for twelve and same with the silverware in case they have to come down here again.
