Page 40 of Obnoxious Bad Boy

“From Vex.”

I look around, making sure no one’s sitting nearby. “No. I mean, I’m getting it soon, but no. Matt, this is of utmost importance. I need to tell you a secret.”

Matt cocks his head and pushes a macaroon into his mouth, watching me from the other side of the table. “You’re being weird today.”

“Because I’m… nervous. You’re not allowed to laugh, and you need to promise you won’t tell anyone, not even Cassian.”

“What? Why?” He leans forward and stares at me with a serious face that somehow reminds me of a German shepherd trying to determine whether I’m carrying any contraband on me.

“Because it’s a big deal, and I don’t want this to become people’s gossip. I promised I’ll only tell one person, and that person is you, so you need to promise me, that this will stay between us. Remember how I kept your secrets? No matter what I thought about them, I never babbled.”

He frowns. “Only that you did. You told Levi about my crush on Cass.”

He has me there. “But that was because you were about to get your leg broken. If I’m at risk of grievous bodily harm, you are allowed to tell my secret, okay?”

He frowns but eventually nods. “I suppose. So what’s so scary and mysterious?”

“I’m seeing Vex.”

Matt rolls his eyes. “Everyone knows you’re friends with Vex.”

“You’re not listening, Matt. I’m seeing Vex. Sleeping with him. Having sex. Eating Holy Communion out of the devil’s palm.”

Matt’s face freezes before opening up as if its top and bottom were being tugged in opposite sides. It makes his eyes and lips open wide. “Shut up! No, seriously?”

I’m torn between shyness and pride. “Yes. I know, I know, I was talking shit about him, but he’s so nice to me, and we see each other all the time, and he texts me private thirst traps and everything.”

Matt stares at me. “But like... I always see him with girls. Are you sure?”

I lean over the table and shuffle my chair closer. I love Matt, but he can be so dumb. “What do you mean am I sure? I’m not making this up, Matt. The girls are a cover, because his business has a lot to do with them thirsting for him. I’m the one actually in his bed.”

Matt now cups his face in both hands and rests his elbows on the table, staring at me as if I’ve just grown a second head. “But... how? What? Did you find him on Grindr, or something?” He asks as if he’s well-acquainted with the app, when I know for a fact that he only discovered his sexuality when he realized he was in love with Cassian.

“I despise dating apps,” I say with a sneer, even though I did lurk before meeting Vex. “He… I don’t know how else to put it. He seduced me. But I’m not complaining.”

“Seduced you how?” Matt asks, and I already see his shoulders going rigid. He’s way too protective of me.

“He invited me over, and one thing led to another. And now we’re seeing each other. And remember how he broke that guy’s hand to save me? It’s a little out of the ordinary, I know, but he did that for me.”

Matt’s brows rose. “I mean, yeah, but it looked weirdly proficient. I’d just punch someone in the face. Are you sure he’s not some crazy closeted dude that might freak out at some point?” He reaches out and squeezes my wrist. “I’m just trying to look out for you. You’re like my brother.”

“No, he’s never violent to me or anything. But…”

“I knew there’d be a but.”

I groan. “But I don’t know what it is that we have, or where it’s going. Especially since it’s all in secret anyway. It feels like we’re dating, we do date stuff, but we pretty much just meet at his.” Which I know how it sounds. Like I’m a booty call.

But then again, we did spend that quiet evening together while doing separate things.

“The question is, do you think he would be open to making it more than a hook-up thing?” Matt asks bluntly, but he seems more at ease at least.

Vex is always all over me, compliments me, texts me all the time, but I don’t have experience in dating. How do I know if it’s not just something guys will do with a hook-up for a while? I’m already at a point where losing him is a thought I don’t like to entertain.

“I don’t know. He invited me to that party, but as a friend. And even though he’s not out, we could go somewhere in public together, right? It’s not like he’s ashamed of me. We have coffee here sometimes. Does that count?”

Matt frowns and thinks so hard I can practically see the hot vapor steaming from his head. “I mean... that means he likes spending time with you, but if you want more than being his friend with benefits then that might be a problem. How’s the—” He hesitates and ends up putting his index finger through a circle made with his other hand.”

I cover my face with my hands, but I’m dying to tell someone. “So good. So good, Matt. I can’t even begin to explain. I’m hooked like I’m some uncouth dick junkie.”