Echo (Bleeding Hearts #1)(48)

“Not exactly.” He kept his gaze forward. “I was friends with… well, we had a mutual friend. I’ve known him a long time.”

“What’s with all the secrecy?” I snapped. “Is everything in Ryland’s life this complicated?”

“Yes,” he replied without hesitance. “And Brighton, I know I shouldn’t say anything. I really need this job, and he only gave it to me as a favor, but I think you should be careful with him.”

“Why?” I demanded. “I’m so sick of everyone talking in riddles all the time. Just tell me why, Matt.”

“I can’t.” He tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “That’s all I can say.”

“Then why bother saying anything at all?” I argued. “And it’s not like I have a choice in the matter, anyway.”

“Don’t you?” he arched a brow at me in question.

I’d said too much, but did it even matter anymore? “No. I don’t. And that’s all I can say about that.”

Matt’s jaw tightened as he stared at the road before us, a tense quiet settling over the cab. I hated that things were so strained between all the people in my life right now. I was walking a tightrope, desperately trying to keep my balance. But one of these days, I was going to fall off.

“I’m hungry,” I stated. “I haven’t eaten all day.”

Matt looked over at me and grinned, taking his cue from me. “Well, that is one thing I can actually rectify.”

Twenty minutes later, he pulled up to a dive bar. I gave him a curious look and he laughed and shook his head.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said. “But they have the best burgers in San Fran, I swear.”

I didn’t argue as I climbed out of the truck and followed him inside. The clientele was more in keeping with the type of people I was used to being around anyway. I didn’t belong in Jaguars or Saks Fifth Avenue.

“Hey, sugar!” a cute brunette waitress greeted Matt as he grabbed us a booth. “It’s been a while. What can I get you?”

“Two of the regulars.” He gave her a wolfish grin that had her giggling as she walked away.

“Is that a thing?” I teased him.

“Hey, a man’s got to find some comfort somewhere.”

“I’m not judging.” I smirked. “But she doesn’t seem like your type.”

He shrugged. “And who is?”

“Hmm….” I drummed my fingers across the table and pretended to think it over for a minute. “I don’t know. Nicole, perhaps?”

A dark look passed over his features, and in an instant, his amusement was gone. “Nicole and I… that can never happen.”

The waitress appeared with our food, giving Matt an extra flirtatious smile before she sauntered away.

“That was fast,” I quipped.

“Don’t judge it by the speed.” He picked up his burger and waved it in front of his nose. “Judge it by the taste.”

I laughed as I brought it to my mouth and took a bite. Matt was right, it was the best burger I’d ever had. I finished it in record time and was a little embarrassed when I caught him watching me with a knowing smile.

“Well?”

“You win,” I admitted.

“What was that?” he put his hand to his ear. “I couldn’t quite hear you.”

I rolled my eyes but indulged him. “I said you win.”

“One more time,” he insisted.

“You win!” I reached across the table and slugged his arm.

We both busted into a fit of laughter and forgot the tension of the day, at least for a moment. But as I wiped my eyes and told Matt how much I needed this, a shadow passed over his face. He jerked his chin behind me, and I turned to see Ryland standing there, listening to our conversation.

“Matthew.” He gave him a polite nod, but I didn’t miss the ticking of his jaw muscle as he stepped closer. “What a surprise to find you here.”

Matt looked from Ryland back to me as though he were debating his next words carefully. “We were just finishing up.”

“Good.” Ryland held out his hand for me. “Then you won’t mind if I take Brighton off your hands for the evening.”

“That’s up to Brighton,” Matt said in a low voice.

I stared at Ryland’s outstretched hand and debated the risks of making a spectacle. I didn’t want to go with him, but what choice did I have? Nothing had changed, except that he’d opened my eyes to the person he really was. I didn’t want to care about him, but it was too late for that. The only thing he cared about was the game, and no matter what, I was going to get hurt. But for Brayden, I would let Ryland rip out my heart and set it on fire.

I placed my limp hand in his palm, and he gave me a pained look at the certain misery written all over my face. I tore my eyes away from his, not allowing myself to fall back into that pattern. I wouldn’t let him convince me my emotions meant anything to him. I wouldn’t let myself believe I was anything more than a pawn.

“Thank you, Matt.” I gave him a thin smile.

“Anytime.” He nodded, his gaze meeting Ryland’s with a hint of protectiveness. “I’m always here if you need me.”