Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Matt's Party
I’m at a stoplight when my phone goes off. It’s my boss, Ellie. I put her on speaker—she’s slurring her words, clearly drunk at the bar.
She asks me to swing by and pick up my weekly pay. I’m already driving across town, so I agree.
Traffic is shit, but I still make it to the pizza place fast enough. I park my truck and head toward the bar—it’s connected to the restaurant. Ellie and her husband Tony own both.
I wave at José behind the bar—he’s cool as hell—then I spot Ellie, practically draped over the counter. Looks like she caught Tony with one of the servers again. I feel for her. He’s a piece of shit.
I push through the crowd and cigarette smoke until I reach her. She hugs me, then hands me an envelope of cash. Under-the-table, as always. Then she reaches behind the bar and gives me a bag.
“New work shirts,” she says. “Some tanks and a sweatshirt. You’re going to look so cute in the tank top!” She winks.
“Babe!” José calls. “The Jäger promoter stopped by—I’ve got a tank for you too!”
He hands it over. I open it—a white tank with the deer logo.
I love it.
I don’t even drink that stuff, but the logo is hot.
I thank him and head back out to my truck. As I open the door, I notice Bobby sitting outside, smoking.
Since when does he smoke? He plays basketball for the university.
I don’t dwell on it. I’ve got somewhere else to be.
It takes another thirty minutes to get to Matt’s. He lives in Spanish Trails—mansions, golf courses, tennis courts, private club. Celebrities, doctors, lawyers… money everywhere.
I pull up to the gate, give them Matt’s name. They check their list and wave me through.
I park at the end of a long driveway. The house is massive—white walls, red tile roof, huge windows. Mature landscaping everywhere. I can hear faint music coming from inside.
I glance over at Vince’s place next door. His car is parked along the side.
I wonder if he’s still home.
The front door flies open.
Matt stumbles out, holding onto the frame to steady himself.
Great. He’s already drunk.
“Hey, Elle! I’m so glad you came.”
He pulls me into a hug the second I reach him. Then he drags me inside, giving me a full tour, pointing out rooms like I care.
I don’t.
I’m looking for Vince.
The house is insane. I’ve delivered pizza to places like this, but being inside? Different story. My parents' entire apartment could fit in one of these bedrooms.
We end up in the living room—packed. People spilling into the backyard where there’s a pool, a jacuzzi, even a rock waterfall feature.
Matt hands me a beer while talking to Nick.
I keep scanning.
“He isn’t here yet,” Nick mutters, leaning toward me.
“Who?” I play dumb.
Then I see him.
Vince walks in slow, cutting through the crowd like he owns the place, then settles in the corner like he always does. Sweatpants, a shirt, glasses sitting low on his nose. He switches between glasses and contacts, but tonight it’s the glasses. He is literal sin, even in plain clothes.
He leans against the wall, pulls out his phone… then lifts his gaze.
Finds me instantly.
Nick laughs under his breath, looking between us. He gives me a quick hug and heads over to Vince.
Tish, Gemma, and Erika come barreling toward me, pushing through everyone. Matt wraps an arm around Tish, which makes Gemma give him a look. Erika shoves me.
I barely notice.
I’m still staring at Vince.
Gemma hugs me, then follows my line of sight.
“What happened? Since when do we pay attention to Vince?”
I lean into her ear, covering my mouth, and tell her everything—both times.
She pulls back, grinning like a maniac.
Her turn.
She leans in, whispering rapid-fire—how was he, how big, what the hell was I thinking.
Gemma clamps her hand over her mouth as I answer every question—and then some.
Erika hands me a Smirnoff Ice. I lift it to my lips and catch Vince watching us.
He looks pissed.
“OMG, I loved it when you clotheslined that bitch from Foothill today,” Erika says. “That was insane!”
The guys jump in, hyping me up. Colt talks about my goals, my throws. Matt starts up with my girl this, my girl that—while his arm is still around Tish.
I don’t even get mad at her. If she likes him, whatever.
But Matt?
He’s giving me whiplash.
We slept together. He asked me out. Now he’s glued to her?
What the fuck.
Between that and Vince, my head is all kinds of messed up.
We’re all laughing, talking. Tish and Erika start dancing.
I drift next to Colt—and that’s when I see her.
Tall. Skinny. Blonde.
She walks straight toward Vince.
He stops watching me.
Stands up straighter.
Smiles.
And the second she reaches him, he pulls her in.
They kiss.
His eyes are still open.
Still on me.
His hands slide down to her thighs.
And I am fucking fuming.
Why?
He was just with me three hours ago.
I know what it is.
I’m not getting the attention I usually get.
Or worse—I’m jealous.
Pathetic.
“We don’t get jealous over guys,” I mutter to myself. “That’s lame.”
“I’m bored,” I tell Colt suddenly. “I’m going home.”
“You want me to come with you?” he asks.
“No. Stay. Have fun. I’m just tired—it’s been a long day.”
“You’re still coming out tomorrow though, right?” he asks, glancing at Matt—still wrapped around Tish.
“I don’t know anymore,” I laugh, trying to play it off.
I hug Colt and slip out before anyone can stop me.
Erika chases after me.
“Take me home?”
I nod. She lives across the street anyway.
We hop in my truck and pull out. The second we hit the main road, my phone starts ringing.
Erika grabs it.
Her eyes go wide.
“Why is Vince calling you?”