Love At First Hate (Love At Firsts Book 2)(28)

We both spy on Matt to see who he’s joining. I’m not gonna lie, I’m a bit hurt that he’s here to meet someone. I know we’re not together and that nothing has happened, but there’s that little pinch that you feel, the niggling jealousy in the back of your head and in your heart when you see the one you really like meet someone else.

He looks around for a minute and grabs his phone. He types something on it and seems to be waiting for an answer. He’s clearly here to meet someone, but I wasn’t prepared to see whom he was actually meeting. And by the looks of it, neither was he.

He’s standing by the window, in all his glory when John out of all people walks to him. Judging by the look on his face, he wasn’t expecting to see John. I wonder what that’s all about.

“Do you know the other guy?” Mina leans into me and asks.

“Yeah, sadly it’s John, his ex-boyfriend,” I spit the words out, they taste sour in my mouth.

“Oh, the plot thickens! I wonder what they are talking about. It seems quite agitated.” Mina claps in excitement.

“Don’t sound so excited about it,” I say annoyed. I shouldn’t take it out on her. She has nothing to do with this.

“Sorry, I just like a bit of drama to unfold in real life. It’s like soap opera but better.”

“You’re crazy!”

“Nothing new there, babe.” She laughs. “So, do you think they’ll get back together?”

“I hope not.” I sigh.

“Aww, babe, I’m sorry. That was inconsiderate of me.” She rubs my back.

“It’s alright. Nothing happened between us. I shouldn’t feel this way.”

“You feel that way because you like him. Anybody can tell that you’re into him and him into you.”

“I’m not so sure.”

“Why not? With the way he looks at you? I’m getting all hot and bothered just thinking about the way he looked at you yesterday when he came to the shop. He looked like he wanted to eat you alive.” She smirks.

“Then why would he meet with John here?” I point out what seems to be obvious to me.

“Well, he doesn’t seem too happy to be in John’s presence, so maybe he didn’t know that he was meeting with John.”

“It makes no sense.”

“I know, saying it out loud didn’t make it any better.” She frowns. “If only we could hear what they are saying.”

“I’m not sure I’d want to know.”

“They look like they are goi-” I don’t wait for her to finish her sentence and rush to where Matt and John are standing.

I’m sure Matt can take care of himself, but John was drawing his arm back, ready to hit Matt. I don’t know what the f*ck is going on, but I’m not going to let his psycho ex hurt him. I grab John’s arm and drag him away, pushing him to the floor.

“Nate, what are you doing here?” Matt asks, sounding like a cheating partner who’s been caught.

“Having a drink with Mina, you?” I look at him quickly. I need to keep an eye on John. I don’t trust the f*cker. I never did.

“I was supposed to meet with someone, said someone was John, and I had no idea.” I can hear the annoyance in his voice.

“How is that possible?” I’m confused now. Mina was right after all.

“It’s a long story.”

“I can imagine. Need a ride home?” I look at him when I see that John is still struggling to come around. I didn’t even punch him, just pushed him to the ground. He clearly has no fight in him and looks like he’s playing the victim.

“Depends on what kind of ride.” He smirks at me.

“Trust you to make sexual jokes in situations like these.”

“Always.” He chuckles.

“Oh. My. God! That was so hot!” Mina squeals next to us.

“Hey, darling,” Matt greets her.

“Hey yourself, mister fancy pants.” She grins widely.

“Am I bothering you two?” I ask feeling like a third wheel. She’s got only eyes for him. She’s staring at him, and it’s making me uncomfortable.

“Nah, you’re alright,” Mina jokes.

“Oh, good to know.” I shake my head.

“How about that ride?” Matt winks at me.

“What kind of ride?” Mina asks eagerly.

“I’m driving him home. Do you need a lift?” I ask Mina.

“If you don’t mind.”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I did. Let’s go.” I take one last look at John who’s glaring at us. I smirk at him and leave with Matt and Mina.

Mina, Matt, and I walk out of the bar and to my car. Mina lets herself in the back as Matt sits next to me.

You can feel the tension between Matt and I. It’s insane. And I can feel the excitement emanating from Mina from the back seat. She’s almost bouncing in her seat.

“You alright back there?” I break the silence.

“More than,” she squeals.

“Don’t burst from too much excitement, darling,” Matt says, turning to look at her.

“I’ll try not to.” She takes a deep breath and tries to relax.

“What’s got you so excited anyway?” Matt asks, and he’s just opened the gates.