Chapter Four
Matty Boy
I roll to my side and find the bed beside me empty, but not cold. I hear the shower running behind the closed door of the bathroom. I sling my legs over the side of the bed and run my fingers through my hair.
I turn to the door when I hear it open. She stops when she sees that I’m awake. “Oh, sorry,” she says, her brown eyes full of apology. “I was cleaning up before I go.”
I hold my hands up. “It’s no problem, Morah.” I reach for the room service menu and wave it around. “Want anything? I’m fucking starving. The hors d’oeuvres at the event last night did nothing for me.”
She smiles at me, shaking her head as she nervously smooths her still wet hair. “No, I better get going.” Her eyes dart to the door, and then to me. She’s like a cornered animal, waiting for me to pounce on her. She wasn’t kidding, she’s never done this before.
“You sure? I don’t mind springing for breakfast.” I’m trying to convey ease through my tone.
“No, I shouldn’t waste any more of your time. Plus, I really need to get home.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.” I cross to my bag, retrieving clean underwear. Pulling them on, I turn to her. Her cheeks are red and she’s looking down at her feet. “And Morah?” I start, bringing her attention to me. “You’re not wasting my time.” I finish getting dressed in a set of gym clothes from my bag. “I’ll walk you down to your car.” I’m not letting her do the walk of shame alone. I grab the key card and start towards the door. I hold open the door for her to walk through before me, then I let it click closed behind us.
We round the corner to the elevator and both of us stop short as Leo and Avery turn to see us, her mouth falling open into a perfect O shape. This is the very shit I wanted to avoid for Morah. She doesn’t need my reputation following her around.
I clear my throat, hoping to break the thick tension that’s beginning to build around us. “Morning, Avery,” I greet her with a half-smile. Morah stands frozen. I’m not sure if I should, but I slide my arm around her, letting her know she isn’t in this alone.
“Good morning, Matty, Morah,” she greets us both with a gleam in her eyes.
“Morning, Avery,” Morah squeaks, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other, my arm doing nothing to calm her.
Leo steps up to me, offering me his hand. “Thanks for the suite, brother. We needed that.” He turns and smiles at a blushing Avery before turning his attention to Morah. “Pleasure to see you again, Morah.”
“You too, Leo.” She gives him her hand with a smile. The big man could always charm the ladies.
“Did you two…ya know…spend the night together?” Avery’s eyes dart back and forth between us, along with her pointer finger, like it’s some sort of divining rod.
I raise my eyebrows. With the answer to her question so obvious, I just nod. Her eyes grow even wider, if that’s possible.
I take my arm from Morah’s waist and grab her hand, leading her away from the uncomfortable conversation, but Leo and Avery follow us to the elevator. I mentally make a note to get my room on a different fucking floor in case this ever happens again.
I lean in around Morah and press the button. When it dings, we all file in, turning in sync as we watch the door slide closed. The distorted reflection the metal is throwing back at us is hilarious, and had it been any other time, I might laugh at the whole situation. But for some reason, I feel there’s something silently being said between Avery and Morah.
I watch as Avery steals glances out of the corner of her eye at us. Avery’s reaction at seeing us together brings up questions about the woman I spent last night with. Now I’m really curious about this little ball of mystery who seems to be fascinating me more than any woman has in a long time.
I tug on her hand, bringing her eyes up to mine. I give her a questioning look, but she dismisses it with a stiff shake of her head.
The atmosphere in the elevator is stifling, and it can’t get to the lobby fast enough. My curiosity is burning a hole through my brain, and I’m itching to ask her a million questions when I get her alone again.
Finally, the ding of relief sounds and Leo and I let the ladies exit the elevator before us.
“Avery and I are heading in for breakfast. Would you two like to join us?” Leo asks as he lifts his eyebrow at me. He isn’t going to let me get away with this awkward situation.
Taking Morah’s hand in mine, I tug her into my side. “We’ve eaten. Ordered room service earlier,” I lie, pulling her into my side, which is something else that has Avery raising her eyebrows at us. “I’ll catch you later.” I nod before leading Morah to the front doors of the lobby.
We step through the sliding doors to freedom from Avery’s scrutinizing gaze.
“Which way?” She points to the left and I begin to lead her in that direction. “Wanna tell me why Avery looked like someone walked over her grave when she saw us?”
“Well, it’s just that…” She pauses, like she’s looking for the words.
I drop her hand and turn to her. “It’s what, Morah?” A thousand different things fly through my head, but I push them away.
She steps up to me, placing her hand on my chest as a smile crosses her lips. “I’m a lesbian, Matty.”
I tilt my head, not sure I heard her correctly. “You’re a what?”
“I like girls, usually.” She digs her nails into my peck muscle. “But you, I just had to have a taste.”
I cover her hand with mine and smile down at her. “Well, I have to say, this is a first for me.”
She pushes up on her toes, giving me a quick peck on the lips. “Me too. I’ve only ever been with girls—I mean, women.”
“Wow.” I rub the back of my neck with my free hand, not sure if I should be flattered or what. “So you’re actually bi now?” I’ve taken several girls’ virginity early in my life, but this is definitely the first time I’ve taken it this way.
“Only for you,” she says, giggling.
I step back, placing a hand on my heart, and tucking the other behind my back, giving her a bow. “Well, ma’am, I so hope it was worth it.”
She curtsies and says, “It was so worth it, Matty.” I offer her my arm and we walk silently until she stops at the front bumper of a sweet red convertible. “This is me.” She points proudly at her car.
“Sweet car.” I step off the curb to appreciate her little red sports car. “I work on these, so if you’re ever over my way and need help, give me a call, okay?” She hits the key fob and I open her door for her. “It was a pleasure, Morah,” I say as I help her into her seat.
“Likewise,” she says as she slips into the soft leather of the driver’s seat. I shut the door, stepping back as she pulls out. I listen to the purr of the engine as she pulls away, giving her one last wave before she leaves the lot.
I head back into the hotel and to the restaurant. When I enter, Avery spots me, waving me over to her and Leo’s table. She pats the seat next to her and I slump down into it. “So Morah, huh?”
“Yes,” I smirk, turning my coffee cup over to signal the waitress.
“That’s interesting.” She obviously knows what I know now.
“Why is it so fucking interesting?” Leo asks around a forkful of eggs.
I look up at him, shaking my head. “It’s not, really.” I turn to Avery. “At all.”
Leo shrugs his shoulders at Avery. “He brings women home all the time. Why are you so interested?”
“What’s interesting?” Piper asks as she sits down in the chair Dalton has pulled out for her.
“Nothing.” I groan right before Avery talks over me.
“Matty slept with Morah last night,” Avery blurts out, not looking the least bit sorry.
“The event planner for the hospital?” Piper asks Avery, and I watch as the conversation starts to get out of hand. “I like her, she’s awesome. She would be great for you, Matty.”
“I’m not her type,” I grumble, feeling my mood taking a turn for the worse.
“Don’t be silly, you’re everybody’s type,” Piper says as she pops a fresh strawberry into her mouth.
“Not Morah’s,” Avery chimes in again.
Piper gives me a confused look. “Really? Were you a dick to her, Matty?”
Avery jerks her body around to me, waiting for my answer. “No, I wasn’t. Did she look like I was a dick to her this morning?” I ask Avery. “I walked her out to her car for Christ’s sake.”
Avery giggles. “She did look very satisfied.”
“I’ve never seen a woman leave Matty’s bed that didn’t look satisfied.” Piper smiles, garnering Dalton’s distressed attention. Patting his arm, she tells him, “Don’t worry, honey. It’s just an observation.”
“Do we have to talk about this shit? I’m eating fucking breakfast,” Leo declares from the far end of the table, throwing both his hands around the area of his plate.
“I agree,” I add. “Let’s change the subject.”
“Oh no, not yet. You still haven’t answered the question.” Piper points at me. “Why is she not your type?”
“She’s just not. Leave it alone, Piper.” I level my eyes at her as I shove a piece of bacon into my mouth.
She shrinks back. “Okay. You don’t have to be rude about it,” she huffs, acting like a child.
“What the hell did we just walk in on?” Eno asks as he, Josie, Hollis, and Roman join us.
“Good God, nothing,” I growl, the aggravation over the conversation coming through in my tone.
“Why Matty isn’t the man for the girl he took to bed last night’s type,” Piper informs them.
Leo sighs, looking at Avery. “See what the fuck you started?”
Avery shrugs her shoulders. “Sorry.” Bullshit. With the little smirk on her lips, I know she’s not the least bit sorry.
“No, you’re not,” I accuse, turning to Piper. “You wanna know why I’m not her type? She’s a lesbian. There, are you happy now?” I blurt out, watching as Piper’s eyes widen at my declaration, but thankfully, it shuts her up.
Piper and Avery have tried for months to set me up with women they work with, but as usual, I have one good night with them and send them on their way, well fucked and well-satisfied.
“I think Emily and Cowboy must still be getting their freak on,” Dalton implies, cutting through the stunned silence at the table. “Me and Piper fucked all over that suite last night, so thanks for the mini vacay, Matty.” Dalton jabs his fork at me from across the table.
“For God’s sake, I’m fucking eating,” Leo roars. We all burst out laughing at him, and he unceremoniously gives us all his middle fingers.
We finish breakfast with no more mention of me or Morah, and I’m thankful. I let them know the limo will be ready at eleven and head back up to my room to retrieve my things.
I stand in the middle of the silent room, my eyes drifting around until they land on the messed bed. I smile at the small white piece of paper lying on it.
I pick it up, wondering how she had gotten it there without me seeing. I turn it over in my hand before opening it and see her pretty handwriting.
Matty,
Thank you for the amazing night.
I hope you find everything you are looking for,
because you deserve to be happy.
Morah
I slump down onto the bed, rereading the note several times. What had she seen in me in the short time we’d shared? I guess on some level I’ve been searching for a connection, trying to fill that void left that is still a festering sore.
I keep most people at arm’s length and use booze and casual sex as a balm for the hurt I’m trying to purge from my soul, but I fear there will always be a part of me that will always be burnt.
I stand and cross over to the bathroom, stripping off my clothes as I enter the shower. Setting the water pressure, I let the warm water run over me, taking away the smell of sex and Morah, no longer wanting to hold on to whatever it was she saw. I no longer want it taking up space in my head or heart. Once I finish, I leave the bathroom buck ass naked and go to my bag to grab some clothes and get dressed.
Everyone is waiting for me in the lobby and we all head out to the waiting limo. Nothing is said as we quietly file into the seats for the ride home.
Roman tugs on his lapel. “It would have been nice to have a little warning that we would be spending the night.” I look around the car, and they all look a little worse for wear in their dresses and tuxes from last night. I look down at my jeans, T-shirt and flip flops, then look at them all and smile.
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.
“Thank you so much, Matty.” Hollis smiles, leaning over to lay her hand on my leg.
“Yes, thank you,” Emily reiterates and smiles, with a slight blush to her cheeks. They all nod their appreciation.
I smile at them all. “You’re all very welcome.” I rub the back of my neck, a little uncomfortable with all their gratitude.
“So, about last night—” Dalton starts, but I hold up my hand to stop him. “No, not that part. The part where you walked down the fucking catwalk with your sleeves torn off your damn shirt.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “Oh, that part. Well Morah asked me what my selling point was, and I couldn’t just whip my dick out, so I went with my next best asset.” I flex my arms, kissing each bicep. “I brought out the big guns.”
“Good God, man.” Cowboy shakes his head as he leans forward to take off his jacket. He raises his arms to flex them. They’re the size of fucking tree trunks. “Now these are guns.” He lowers his arms, pointing to mine. “Those are pea shooters,” he says with a laugh.
I look to Leo who’s laughing his ass off. “I’m not getting in on this, man. Mine are just as big as his,” he says, pointing to Cowboy.
“Only because you two are the size of the Jolly Green Giant,” I huff, slumping back into the seat, but smiling and laughing along with everyone else.
Leo lowers his brows at me. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called jolly.”
“There’s no fucking doubt about that, you big ogre,” Piper blurts out, snapping her fingers. “What was it that Josie said about you at your birthday party? Oh…what was it?”
“I said he looked constipated.” Josie stifles her laugh behind her hand.
The ride home is filled with light conversation and insulting jabs that my brothers and I sling back and forth at each other. When I’m finally home, I fall onto my bed. It’s early afternoon, but I’m ready for sleep. Morah and I hadn’t gotten much last night with all the fucking and orgasms going on. I smile at the thought of her beautiful face as she came undone around me more than once.
I will never get tangled up with another woman. I write the monthly check, send it to a post office box and check to make sure she cashes it, praying it’s going to what I send it for. I pull some strings and get a few surprise home visits a year. Right after that, the amount of the check goes up, ordered by the court, but I would do it anyway.
I hate her, but in the same breath I love her, and that’s how it will always be. It wasn’t like that then. She was the one who didn’t love me enough. By the end, she fucking hated me.
I close my eyes and push that shit out of my head and fall asleep.