Philips (Sequel to De Santa)

Chapter Twenty One

We sat around the table and talked about Dad's date with Angie. Apparently Dad has given up giving up drinking when he found out that Angie was a wine connoisseur. They sipped on wine, talked about their lives, and Dad has even set up for them to go on another date at the Marlowe Vineyard tomorrow. Dad wishes he could've taken her on his yacht, but apparently something happened with it. Something about Jimmy, Franklin, and some gangbangers speeding down the interstate or something like that.

Matt's hangover cure was amazing. Full of protein, some spice, I was feeling a lot better by the time I finished. Jim returned to his room in silence and I helped clean the dishes. "So," Matt smiled. "The party is this Saturday at—"

"Six," Matt and I said in unison.

"Um...yeah. How did you know?"

"Tracey told me."

"Okay, but how did she—"

"Did you invite strippers to the party?" Matt's eyes instantly widened.

"What? No, I wouldn't do that. Why would you think I would?"

"Because I know she hangs out with strippers and know that's who she heard it from. So either it was you or one of your trusted friends."

"It wasn't me, Chels, I swear. You believe me, right?" I looked into Matt's eyes and saw not a single hint of deception, only a twinkle of light that begged me to believe him."

"Yeah," I nodded. "Sorry, I didn't mean to accuse you, I just...I don't know why, but I feel very..."

"Possessive?"

"Protective," I corrected. "I feel very protective of you."

"I feel the same way. I mean, if I ever saw you with another man, I'd feel very...protective...over you."

"Guess it's a good thing you didn't see me last night, huh?"

"Yeah," Matt nervously chuckled. "Chels," Matt gently placed his hand on my side and pulled me close to him. "I love you. I know you're not ready to say it yet, but I do love you. I would never do anything as stupid as inviting a bunch of strippers to my party and jeopardize our relationship. You mean more to me than my inheritance. You mean more to me than air."

"Matt..." I softly sighed. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but why couldn't I bring my lips to part and say the three simplest words in the world? I love you. Did I want to say it to spite Trevor? Prove to him that he was wrong? Or did I actually love him? Matt was such a sweet guy and needs someone who could show him the love he deserves. Without Matt in my life, I don't know how my life would've ended up. Back to being a depressed introverted shell of a human? Would my depression and nightmares driven me crazy? Would I even still be alive?

I contemplated suicide a few times. When I lost Trevor, I felt like I lost everything, including my reason for existence. I had known Trevor for only a few months and yet I was attached to him, and when I thought he was gone for good, I felt like I lost a part of myself. But with Matt...everything was okay. The sun rose with purpose and the sun set with hopes of a better tomorrow. With Matt, I knew that I'd be okay. "Matt...I..."

"Yeah?"

"I l—"

"Chels, you still here?" Dad spoke up as he entered the kitchen. "Oh, was I interrupting something?"

"Well, kind of," Matt sighed as a I pulled away and faced Dad.

"Oh...good." Dad turned to me and smiled. "So, I found something last night."

"A mouse?"

"No—"

"A cockroach?"

"What? No, I—wait, we have cockroaches?"