I grab Michael’s cheek and squeeze it. “And you, Mr. Miller, are so cute.” I let go of his face and see him visibly blushing, which surprises the hell out of me. I never thought Michael to be the shy type.
Once paid up, we make our way outside where we wait for the Uber Michael ordered. We say our goodbyes when it arrives, and he promptly promises to contact me tomorrow. Once gone, Jessie loops her arm in mine, and we unsteadily make our way back home.
“Miss Lindsay, I must say you are a bad influence on me.”
She squeezes my arm tighter to her. “I got what I wanted, and that was to see a smile back on your face. I don’t like seeing you hurt. I just want you to know I’m here for you, no matter what.”
Stopping us in our tracks for a moment, I turn to give her a big hug. “I hope you know I feel exactly the same way.”
When I pull back, she wobbles slightly, causing me to prop her up, but then I stumble, and she has to do the same to me. The end result? Two drunk and silly ladies giggling like toddlers who seem like they’re up to no good.
“How are we ever going to get home?” she shouts, both of us huddled over with laughter.
“I tell you what,” I suggest, pointing at her. “If you lean on me … and I lean on you, then neither of us will fall over.”
Jessie puts her thumb up in the air. “That’ll work.”
We begin our walk, her leaning on me, and me on her. Lord knows how we must look to everyone who passes, but we’re too tipsy to really care.
When we get close to the car park outside Jessie’s apartment block, I abruptly stop, almost causing Jessie to stumble again. She eventually catches her balance, and when she does, she looks up to me before glancing in the direction I’m looking in. I see a shadow near a car with an outline very similar to Jake’s.
Please no! I really don’t think I can handle seeing him right now.
Jessie senses my vigilance and squeezes my arm in reassurance. We start to walk again—me sobering up by the second—and as we edge closer, the figure starts to look more and more familiar. It’s only when he turns that I let out the breath I’ve been holding all this time.
It’s not Jake.
“Ana!” Matthew shouts as he runs towards me.
Jessie lets go of my arm as I quicken my pace. We give each other a warm hug as he squeezes his already six-foot frame to me, leaving me gasping for breath.
He immediately lets me go. “Sorry, Ana, I’ve missed you.”
Just hearing those words sets my tears off again.
“Please don’t cry,” he requests soothingly.
I nod my head, trying to compose myself, ferociously attempting to wipe away my tears. I glance towards Jessie who nods her head and makes her excuse to leave, promising to leave the door unlocked for me..
“I’m sorry, Matthew, I’ve not been myself these last few days. I’ve missed you too.” He pulls me out from his embrace and looks down at me.
“You never replied to my calls or text messages. I’ve been going out of my mind wanting to speak with you. My dad’s being a complete jerk, and your mom’s no better. I hope you don’t mind me coming here, but I just needed to get out of there. The atmosphere in the house is … well it’s shit, to be honest. I’m spending most of my time out with friends or studying at Clive’s house just to get away from them both. I’ve really wanted to see you. Why haven’t you been in touch?”
The guilt surfaces, causing me to cast my eyes downward. “I’m really sorry. I never meant to keep you away. I just didn’t want you seeing me like this. I guess I needed some time. I haven’t even looked at my phone yet.”
Matthew’s face softens as he takes a hold of my hand. “That’s okay, I understand. I just don’t like all this. I can’t understand any of it. I think my dad feels he has to look after your mom as she’s … well … you know.”
I nod my head, understanding his meaning and grateful he didn’t voice it out loud. He leans back against the car he’s standing by, and it’s only then I notice it—a navy Golf GTI. “Is this yours?”
A big smirk raises his cheeks as he nods his head triumphantly. “I passed my test on Friday, and Dad did promise he would get me a car if I had straight A’s. He bought it for me today. I think it’s a guilt present, but I’ll take it anyway,” he says, giving me a wink.
“Congratulations on passing!” I squeal, practically jumping up and down with delight. “Well done, and all in time for your birthday soon as well. That’s next week, isn’t it?” The realization hits me that I haven’t even bought him a present yet.
“Yeah, this is my present. I nagged Dad to get it early for me. I’ve got something for you too.”
I frown and shake my head. “No, Matthew, you shouldn’t have,” I exclaim.
“I know it’s your birthday tomorrow, and I’m not leaving until you take the present.”
He opens his door, reaches in, and grabs a wrapped, red box from out of the glove compartment. He hands it to me then tells me to open it. “But it’s not my birthday yet,” I half protest, smiling.
“I don’t know when I’ll get to see you again, so I want you to open it now. Besides, it’s nearly your birthday anyway. Only about thirty minutes to go. Please, I want to see you open it.”
Feeling rather excited, I quickly unwrap the present revealing to me a little jewelry box. I halt for a moment and flit a ‘what have you done’ look at Matthew before glancing back down. When I open it up there is a pair of sparkling diamond earrings staring back at me. I gasp, covering my mouth. “Matthew, they’re beautiful.”
He lets out a relieved breath. “Thank fuck, I didn’t know whether you’d like them.”
I raise my eyebrow at his swearing, but I grin widely too. “Like them, Matthew? I love them! But they’re too much. You didn’t need to spend your money on me.”
He shakes his head and smiles but looks down a moment like he’s guilty of something. “Well, I would love to say that it was me who paid for them, but I’m kind of out of a job right now.”
I smile back and give him a big hug. “I know, Matthew, but it’s the thought that counts. They’re beautiful, thank you.”
“No problem. You got any plans tomorrow?”
Thinking about work, I bite my lip. “I’m not sure yet. Michael mentioned something about going to the movies since Jessie will be out with Jerry tomorrow night. It gets me out of the house, and to tell you the truth, I don’t want it to be a big fuss. It’s just a birthday, nothing special.”
He makes a tutting sound under his breath. “You’re telling me nobody knows?”
“No, as I said, it’s not a big deal.” He rolls his eyes at me, so I nudge him. “Hey, what’s that for?”
“You’re being a martyr.”
I gasp. “I am not.”
“Yes, you are. But I’m not going to argue with you. Just make sure you do something, okay?”
Nodding my head, he hugs me again before opening the door to his car. “Well, I better get going, school tomorrow and everything. I love you, Ana, and please keep in touch.”