“So, you decided to come, princess.” Matt was a little drunk already. I didn’t like seeing him like that. He was smiling, but his eyes were cold. Yes, he was gorgeous as always, but something in him tonight wasn’t right. He was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. He looked sexy, but I wasn’t in the mood anymore. I didn’t like this feeling he gave me—the feeling of being hopeless.

“Yeah. And I was going to spend this evening in a charming company.”

“I get the impression that you aren’t talking about me.”

“You’re right.” I took my wrist from his grip and started walking in the direction of Jake. At least I tried to do so. Matt caught me again, but this time his hands landed on my waist, and he pulled me to him.

“I am sorry, princess. I was a little bit busy. We had something to deal with. But now, I am yours.”

“Why do you think that I would be interested?” I placed my hands on his chest, trying to create a distance between us. He was so much stronger than me, and he dealt with my resistance with easiness. He leaned to my ear, and I felt my cheeks burn.

“Because I know that you like me. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here in this sexy outfit.” He stepped back from me and looked me over from my head to my toes. I was on fire just because of the intensity of his gaze on my body. I was wearing a mini jean skirt, a red crop-top, and a black leather jacket. He was right. I dressed especially for him. Usually, I wasn’t wearing something this sultry. I felt more confident in casual clothes, and I knew that I looked attractive even in plain shirt and jeans.

“You know, Matt, it’s funny. You invited me here, but...”

“I did. Because I want you. To be there.” I was perfectly aware that it was intentional. He was giving me a full knowledge of why I was here. It was so easy. Matt Harris wanted me. It was as if my dreams were coming true. But should I go with it? I hesitated. He felt it. He stepped away from me, and I felt disappointment begin to rise inside of me. I wanted to get to know him. I have liked him for so long from afar.

“Matt?”

“Come with me, Lea.” He extended his hand to me, and I took it. He led me through a crowded room then to the second floor of the house. He headed to one particular place at the end of the hallway. After we were inside, he closed the door, and we stared at each other. I couldn’t bear it any longer, so I averted my eyes from him and decided to study the room we were in.

“Is it Ethan’s room?” I asked Matt. There was the bed in the corner, but most of the space belonged to the couch and TV before it. There also was PlayStation with joysticks. I could easily imagine Matt and Ethan playing games here and drinking beer.

“It’s mine.” I turned to him in amusement. “Well, technically, it’s one of the guests’ rooms, but Ethan’s family always happy to have me here. So...” His hands were hidden in his pockets. He wasn’t very comfortable sharing these details with me. But honestly? I was happy to hear it. It was like I had a chance to know the real Matt Harris.

“Are you often staying here?” Maybe it was better not to try my luck, but I couldn’t help it. He didn’t answer me, just walked to the window and stood there silently. I waited.

“I guess so.” Finally, Matt answered, without turning his head to me. He was staring through the window. I observed him, his back was tense, and shoulders slumped. “My relationship with my dad isn’t perfect. He’s strict and... Well, how to put it better, I am not the son he always wanted. I disappointed him.”

I didn’t know what to say to this. My family wasn’t perfect, either. Mom and dad were always at each other throats. She was a lawyer, a successful one, while he was just one of the city’s constructors. He wanted to start his own company, but he failed and lost a lot of money. Family’s money. Mom’s success was a pain in the ass for him. He felt small near her.

“You know, I don’t think that there is anyone perfect. We all have our share of mistakes and secrets.”

“Guess so... But your father isn’t the police chief... And here I am, the troublemaker son.”

“My mom is a lawyer, may I remind you.” I walked and stopped near him. Our shoulders were touching, so close we were.

“Wait, you’re a daughter of Olivia Brown?”

“Do you know my mom?”

“Of course! She helped Ethan and me a few times... She’s kind of Lewis’s family lawyer.”

“Oh...” I was surprised to hear it. My mother didn’t share much about her work, mostly because dad always got angry, hearing about her clients.

“Are you not close with your mom?” He turned his head to me and looked me straight in the eyes.

“I am. It’s not like that... We don’t talk much about her work at home...”

“Why?”

“Father’s issue.” I held his gaze. It felt so easy to talk with him about my family problems. I always hesitated to talk about it even with Jess, but now, I don’t know. I had a feeling that he will understand me.

“Welcome on board, I guess.” Matt smiled at me. It was a sad smile, but also reassuring at the same time.

“What about your mom? Is she as strict as your dad?” I wanted to change the subject, but I also wanted to know more about him.

“My mom is the most amazing woman in the world... Or she was. It’s hard to talk about her in the past tense... The thing is she died a year ago.”

“Oh my God, Matt, I am so sorry! I didn’t want to... I would never...” I turned to him. My palm pressed to my mouth. How could I say such a horrible thing to him? Our hometown wasn’t big, so of course, I heard that his mother died. I was nervous right now, so I guess it was the reason for my stupidity, but still... Asking about his late mother as if she still was there?! Me and my big mouth!

“Don’t be. We aren’t close or anything. And I’m usually not so open with other people.” And again, he turned to me and extended his hand. This time I took it without any hesitation. I wanted it. I wanted to share my warmth with him. I wanted him to know how much I care. I was grateful because he opened up to me—even a tiny bit.

He led us to the bed, and he sat on it first. I wanted to sit down on his lap, but that would be too bold for me. This whole situation was new to me, so I just sat near him, fiddling with my fingers on my lap. Matt felt my nervousness; he took my hand in his and smiled. Surprisingly, this gesture brought calm to me. I smiled back at him.

“You’re a gorgeous girl, Lea. I noticed you a year ago in the cafeteria. Even then, you were so attractive. I couldn’t peel my eyes away from you. Even Ethan noticed and started to make fun of me. You’re younger than me, after all.”

“I am 16 now, and if I remember correctly, you’re still 17.”

“For five days. I will be 18 soon.” We sat in silence. He was observing my every move.

“Do you have any idea, what are you going to do after school?” I asked him the first question that popped to my mind. I saw his eyes widening a fraction. He was surprised. He chuckled.

“Well, Ethan and I are planning to run our bar in a few years. Before that happens, I need some other job to make a little money. I also want to see the world. My mom left me a small inheritance, so I thought that maybe I could go to Europe.”

“You? Your own bar?”

“What’s so funny?”

“I dunno. It’s surprising, that’s all. So where do you see yourself in... in 5 years, for example?”

“You’re a very curious girl, Lea.”

“I know. So?”

“You won’t drop it?”

“Nope. I want an answer, Matt. An honest one.”

“Well, princess... I will be here, in our home town, that’s for sure. I guess I’ll be making money to build a house of my own and to repay Ethan for my share in our bar. He has the amount needed for the investment even now. I wasn’t born with a golden spoon in my mouth, and let’s just say that my father isn’t approving my ideas... Neither the traveling nor the bar...”

“But what are you going to do? How are you planning to earn this money?”

“Ethan’s dad has made me an offer to work for him, and I guess I will accept it. That way, I won’t need to stay with my dad for the next five years. I will be able to move out and start on my own sooner.”

“What about your dad? What does he have in mind for your future?”

“Of course, he wants me to follow his footsteps and become a cop. Can you believe it?”

“Actually... I could imagine you, working as a homicide detective... there is something mysterious about you, and you would be a perfect fit... Or maybe I just watched too much of L.A. Confidential with Russell Crowe.”

“Are you serious right now?” He tilted his head to the side to look at me better. I was afraid that he found my words offensive, but no, he was smiling. “Can you imagine me approaching some guy, who is a suspect in some case and tell him, “Hey, bro, remember me? I broke your nose a few years back, but now I’m a cop, a fucking knight...”

“Shut it, Matt. You’re a good guy. I know you are. You’re rebelling against your father, that’s all. You see in him everything that you don’t want to be yourself.”

“How is that possible? I am talking to you for the first time, and you know me better than I know myself. Because what you just said, it’s the most honest answer I could give you on why I was acting this way. I am doing everything to oppose him, to make him mad... how could you see right through me so easily?”

“Intuition?”