Chapter 113

“Did something happen?” Matt repeated, his smile fading.

After winning a tough game, Matt should have been celebrating, not dealing with my issues. It didn’t matter that I saw Alyx before the game. I knew mentioning it would just upset him, and that was the last thing I wanted to do.

Fiona gave me a pointed look, but I ignored her. I didn’t want him to worry. He couldn’t do anything about Alyx. “No reason, we just found good seats over in the other section,” I said.

Fiona’s disapproving gaze was like a brand, and, of course, Matt noticed. “Don’t lie,” he said, frowning. Great, I was really ruining his good mood. “Was someone mean to you?”

“What? No!”

He crossed his arms and stood up to his full height. It made me feel small, all of a sudden. “Tell me.”

“It was nothing. Alyx was here, that’s all. We just didn’t want to sit anywhere near him.”

His gaze softened, and he reached for me, wrapping his long fingers around my arm. A jolt of electricity went through me at his touch. “Are you okay?”

I swallowed hard. For some reason, I was afraid I might start crying again. “I’m fine. I promise. He didn’t try to talk to me or anything.”

He exchanged a look with Fiona, but he didn’t push it. “Are you ready to go?” he asked instead.

I nodded, eager to change the subject. “Yes!”

I hugged Fiona goodbye, and she gave me a wink before she turned to leave. I glanced at Matt, a little mortified, but, luckily, he wasn’t looking. He was too busy lifting his bag over his shoulder. It was a wonder he could carry that thing around. It was so huge. Though I imagined being a werewolf had its perks. He probably didn't even find it heavy.

Matt put his arm around my shoulders and steered me out of the rink. The weight of his touch made some of the tension go out of my body. I wasn’t going to spend our whole date thinking about Alyx and what happened between us. Tonight, was about me and Matt, and finding out if he was truly as attracted to me as he claimed he was.

Matt led me over to his car, where he opened the door for me. I climbed up into the passenger seat, and he waited as he put his bag in the back of the car. He turned the engine on and cranked up the heat.

“Sorry, I know it’s cold.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine.”

Within minutes, warm air filled the car. “Where are we going?” I asked.

He flashed me a smile. “A surprise.”

I shook my head. “Of course, it is.” Matt clearly loved surprises. Meanwhile, I wasn’t the biggest fan. At least he seemed to know me well enough by now not to take me anywhere too overwhelming.

“Don’t worry,” he said, sensing my trepidation. “You’re going to love it.”

“I trust you.”

A wide smile emerged on his face at my words.

He put the car in gear and steered out of the parking lot. We listened to music in silence, but it wasn’t awkward. It felt nice just being in his company. No pressure or expectations. And I no longer had the weight of my secret identity hanging over me. We could just be.

He pulled into a narrow parking lot outside of what looked like a dive bar. The minute he put his car in park, he turned to me.

“Here?” I asked, glancing nervously at the building.

“I know it looks a little rough, but trust me, it’s great.”

“Okay.”

I’d have to take his word for it. I knew if Jack saw me here, he’d lose it.

Matt opened the car door for me and extended his hand. I placed my palm in his, and he intertwined our fingers together. We walked to the door, my heart beating hard against my chest. I was nervous. Not just about the bar itself, but about my plan. I’d have to take my jacket off when we got inside.

The bar was dimly lit, and busier than I suspected it would be. Rows of pool tables lined the back half of the room, where people were bent over games. The clatter of balls filled the room, along with shouts of triumph and the heavy beat of the music. A few dart boards covered one wall, where games were in full swing. Tables were placed throughout, where people sat drinking and eating food.

I didn’t see anyone I recognized, but there were other people our age. Some of them nodded at Matt, but they didn’t pay me much attention aside from a few curious looks.

Matt led me over to one of the open tables and shrugged off his coat. He draped it over one of the chairs and leaned in, his lips close to my ear.

“Want something to eat?”

“Sure,” I squeaked. The feel of his hot breath on my neck sent a shiver through me.

“A drink?”

“What are you getting?”

“A beer, probably. You don’t have to get something alcoholic, though. They have soda.”

He leaned away from me slightly to peer down at my face. I knew it didn’t matter what I chose, but I wanted to have a drink. Jack never let me have alcohol. At his parties, I just had to serve it. I’d snuck a few sips, but never had the guts to drink a full glass.

“I’ll have what you’re having,” I said.

He flashed me a smile. “Sounds good.”

I clambered up onto my seat and leaned against the table. My feet dangled.

It didn’t take long for Matt to return with the two drinks. “They’re going to bring us some fries,” he said, raising his voice to be heard over the music.

“Okay!”

“Sorry, I know it’s loud.”

I shook my head. “I’m a little surprised this is where you wanted to take me.”

He grinned. “Thought we could play some pool.”

“I don’t know how,” I said, eyeing my drink. Some of the foam dripped down the side of the glass, and I watched the bubbles rise through the amber liquid.

“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you.”

“Okay.”

I glanced over at the pool tables. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing. I was a little worried I’d make a fool out of myself, but I vowed to try.

“Are you going to take your coat off?” Matt asked, amusement in his voice.

I followed his gaze down to my heavy winter coat. It was much too hot in the bar for it, but I suddenly felt nervous. I was wearing probably the most form-fitting thing he’d ever seen me in. At least, as Celeste and not Rose. What if it looked terrible?

“You don’t have to,” he added, noting my hesitation.

“No, it’s warm in here.”

I unzipped the jacket, my thoughts racing. All my insecurities came back in a rush. Maybe I was too fat to wear this top. I didn’t have the figure for it. Still, I shrugged off the jacket and forced myself to look at Matt.

He had his eyebrows raised, staring, very pointedly, at my breasts. Suddenly, his gaze flew to mine and his cheeks colored. Was he…blushing?

“You look great,” he said, sounding a little flustered.

I shifted in my seat. Luckily, a girl appeared with our fries, preventing me from having to respond. She put them down in front of us, flashing Matt a flirtatious smile. He barely seemed to notice.

When she finally walked away, his eyes flitted to mine. “Really great.”