Paradise Bound (bxb)

Chapter 3

I arrived at Amber's house and we went up to her room, sat on her bed and started playing Mario Party. We played for a little while until she started to make moves on me. Now is as good of time as it'd ever be to get this off my chest.

"Amber.." I started and she looked at me after pausing the game. "You are so beautiful, funny and smart. Now going to be the mother of our children. I-" she suddenly cut me off with a look of horror on her face.

"I made out with Corrine!" she blurted making my eyes pop.

"Wait what?" I asked

"Well, she kissed me but I liked it and we kind of made out" she said shyly.

"Oh" I said blinking rapidly.

"I'm sorry, I had to say that before you continued whatever you were going to say or do" she said twisting her fingers together.

"I actually was just going to say that I enjoy your presence but I wanted to ask if you would be okay with a break because I need to get some things straightened out" I told her and she nodded.

"Ryder?" she questioned and I looked at her in surprise.

"Uhh..yeah" I scratched my head "How'd you know?"

"Corrine...Dakota...Ya know, best friends" she shrugged and I made an 'O' face.

"You're not mad?"

"No, not really. Hell Matt we haven't even said 'I love you' to each other...I actually thought that's where you were going with your schpiel and that's why I wanted to confess that"

"Is it weird that this isn't more upsetting for the both of us?" I asked with a chuckle.

"Nah" she answered with a smile "We can still be great friends, I want to feel things out with Corrine too" she admitted.

"I bet you do" I joked and she looked at with a smirk.

"Like you don't with Ryder" she retorted

"Touché" I laughed "Well I feel ten thousand times better" I laughed, running my hand through my hair.

"So how are we going to make this work?" I asked.

"Well, we can still hang out obviously, and I expect you to go to the doctor visits with me still" she told me giving me a stern look.

"Oh of course, I wouldn't miss em" I reassured her. Can't believe she'd think I'd flake on the doctor appointments. She then had a thoughtful look on her face.

"Well I know you will have school but just let me know your schedule and try to be here?"

"Like I said, of course I will. They are OUR children" I told her and she began tearing up.

"I'm sorry it's the pregnancy hormones" she said fanning her face and I chuckled before wrapping her in a hug.

"Want to go out for ice cream?" I asked her to attempt to get her to cheer up.

"Yes!" She said enthusiastically. We got up from her bed and made our way down the stairs and out to my car. I continued to help her down the stairs along with opening her door because that's just what I do.

"So are you going to talk with Ryder now?" She asked curiously while I drove to Dairy Queen.

"I think I'm going to wait" I said truthfully. I don't want to just hop into another relationship that quickly.

"Why?"

"Because, it'd be better to just take some time to myself to make sure it's truly what I want" I thought out loud.

"Okay, I mean I get that but if you already have feelings for him then isn't that an indicator that you do want him" she said with a duh tone.

"Maybe it was a taboo thing. Like, I couldn't have him because I was taken so maybe me being single it could change or it could just be me being weird and wanting some time not to rush into it but either way I just want to wait"

"Alright, I get it. Just know you can talk to me about anything and I want updates!" She scolded playfully.

"Thank you and deal" I laughed " So what about you and Corrine? How did that even happen?"

"Ever since the wedding we have been hanging out quite often" she shrugged.

"She doesn't care you're pregnant?" I questioned while pulling up to the drive thru. I asked what she wanted and ordered her cherry butterfinger blizzard and I ordered a heath blizzard with caramel sauce.

"Obviously not if she made out with me" she continued with a laugh.

"Touché"

"But no, she told me that she finds me attractive and that she shouldn't have just kissed me but I told her I didn't quite mind, though I did feel bad because we were together" she said sheepishly. I paid the lady at the window and we got our treats before pulling into a parking spot. Digging into our blizzards, Amber let out a satisfied hum.

"Well Ryder kissed me too" I said before taking a bite and she looked at me with an eyebrow raised, waiting for me to continue." We didn't make out, it was actually a shitty situation" I grumbled. I explained the scenario as she kept taking bites of her ice cream, nodding while I talked.

"Oh Matty, Matty, Matty...at least you explained yourself" she told me and I huffed.

"Yeah but it still was a shitty first kiss....I mean not him, just how and why it happened" I groaned.

"Well when you do get your actual first kiss, make sure it's special" she told me with a shove to the shoulder.

"Can we get cheese curds?" She asked after she finished her ice cream. I just laughed and told her I would get her them.

After she got her cheese curds, I dropped her off back at her house before making my way to Jace's.

"Have no fear, Matt is here!" I announced, bursting through their front door before my mouth dropped open. " Really guys, in the living room?!" I exasperated, shutting the front door quickly. Currently, Jace was being bent over the back of the couch getting hammered by Dakota.

"Learn how to knock!" Dakota retorted, continuing.

"Kota!" Jace half moan half yelled.

"Please don't let me stop you" I sarcastically threw at them, sauntering into the kitchen. I rummaged through their pantry while Jace tried getting him to stop before a high squeak and moan sounded. I could hear their skin smacking together. I felt my cheeks burn from hearing the lewd noises coming from my best friend. I felt like a creeper listening but then again they weren't being quiet.

"Fuck! KOTA" Jace cried out. It was silent afterward except shuffling of feet against the carpet.

"Sorry" his meek voice came as I grabbed some star crunches I spotted on the top shelf.

"It's fine, I did come in unannounced. We'll I mean I did announce it afterward" I laughed and he slapped my shoulder. I gave him one of the star crunches before we walked back to the living room. Dakota now dressed in black sweatpants and a muscle shirt. I avoided the couch that they had their current activities against.

"Anyway, where's the rest of the house?" I asked, plopping on the loveseat while they cuddled on the recliner. The thought of Jace not cleaning after their session made me wonder if he's letting drip out of him or not. I know it may sound odd to think about that, especially of my best friend but the curiosity gets to me and that possibility of me being in that type of relationship soon makes knowing slightly reasonable.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jace asked and I shook my head,clearing my thoughts.

"Sorry, uhm weird question but don't you need to clean up or something?" I asked awkwardly gesturing down to his pants. His cheeks turned fire truck red before clearing his throat.

"Uhhh, no. Butt plug" he said quietly.

"Ahhh, gotcha" I nodded. I see Dakota is into that kinky shit. "Anyway, where is everyone?"

"Bash and Damon are at work, Charlie and Tanner went on a run to get in shape for their fall season"

"Right, right...soooo, I talked to Amber" I told him, running my finger on the upholstery of the couch.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah...we're friends now, well we have been but you know what I mean"

"That's great Matt...I mean that it wasn't a messy break up ya know" he said quickly.

"I know, I'm relieved. Apparently, Corrine and her made out" I said with a pointed stare at Dakota. He threw his hands up in mock surrender.

"It wasn't my place to tell" he defended

"But Corrine told Amber about my potential feelings for Ryder" I retorted

"I'm just a better friend I guess" he shrugged and I rolled my eyes.

"Well I told her everything and she told me and now we are good and staying close friends"

"What are you going to do about Ryder now? Are you going to go seduce him?" Jace wiggled his eyebrows and I laughed.

"Uh no, I'm actually going to take some time to myself and not rush into another relationship. I would like it if it was kept underwraps" I said giving them a stern look. Jace made a zip motion across his lips.

"I won't tell him" Dakota confirmed and I nodded

"Thank you, I do want him just I want to wait" I finished and the front door opened, revealing Charlie and Tanner bounding through the door.

"Hey Matt" they greeted.

"Hey" I said with a short wave.

"Oh, we wanted to take you guys out tonight since it's your last night here" Jace mentioned as their breathing regulated from running.

"Aww that sounds nice, thank you" Charlie said with a smile.

"Yeah, Thank you guys. You've been the best hosts" Tanner added on.

"Hope that means you'll visit again" Jace said hopefully.

"Of course" they both said "We are going to go shower quick before then" Charlie said jerking his thumb to the stairs.

"Sounds good, take your time" Jace told them as they ascended the stairs. "Want to join us?" He turned the question on me.

"Sure, where are we going?"

"The Italian place" Dakota said "I already made reservations"

"Nice, is your mom, Victor and Ryder joining?" I asked

"Mom is, Victor and Ryder are in New York getting his apartment squared away" Jace informed me.

"Jeez, school starts in just two weeks" I exasperated "Man, summer went by too quickly"

"Have you started packing??" Jace asked me and I frowned.

"No, been busy with you goober" I smiled and he beamed at me.

"Can't complain about hanging with your bestie"

"I'm definitely not" I told him.

Eventually the twins came down from the shower and were going to sit on the couch I avoided but I spoke up.

"I wouldn't sit there" I informed them and they both gave me confused look.

"I find it funny you think we keep our activities to one couch" Dakota winked and I bolted off the loveseat with my face contorted in horror.

"You guys are sick" I exclaimed, squirming my limbs trying to get the invisible cooties off.

"Bet your mom and dad fuck on your couch" Dakota teased.

Scrunched my face I make a loud 'EW'. "I do not need to think of that, thank you" I grimaced.

"It was just the back of it" Dakota winked and the twins hesitantly sat down.

"When are Sebastian and Damon going to be home?" Charlie asked. Jace looked at the clock and it read 3pm.

"They get off at 5:30pm so they'd be home around 5:40ish" he told us. "Movie?"

A round of 'Yes' and 'Sure came from everyone and we settled on watching Grown Ups. Spinning my phone in my hand, I felt it vibrate.

"Hey" a text from Ryder showed. A smile formed on my face.

"Hey, how's New York?"

"Jace told you? It's good, we are checking out a few apartments near campus"

"Yeah, he told me cause I asked if you were going to the goodbye dinner for the twins" I texted him back

"Aww you wanted to see me? ;)"

"No, I was asking to make sure I didn't have to avoid you xD"

"-.-" I snickered to myself at his text.

"I was kidding, when will you be back?"

"Tomorrow, we are staying here for the night. Another showing in the morning before we jet back"

"Nice, want to chill when you get back?"

"Sounds like a plan, Matthew" I smile as I read that in his voice. Man, I do got it bad.

"Whatchu smilin about" Charlie teased. I looked up and tried to hide my smile.

"No one" I stated quickly.

"I said what, not who, but now I know who" Charlie chuckled and a blush formed on my cheeks.

"So cuuuute" Jace cooed.

"Shut up" I mumbled, taking a blanket and hiding my face.

A little while later, the Pierce twins returned home from work and we went to the restaurant. Their mom was waiting at the doors. The boys gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Chandra, looking lovely as ever" I told her while giving her a hug.

"Oh Matt, such the charmer" she giggled while pinching my cheek.

"Nice to see you boys again" she said to Charlie and Tanner.

"Nice to see you again too Mrs. Chamberlain" they both said at the same time. We went inside and the hostess brought us to our seats. The dinner was lovely, and it is actually saddening that Charlie and Tanner are leaving tomorrow. We all have become such close friends and it sucks that they will be going to school in Florida. But they did say that they'd come for new years and we have each summer too.

"You'll have to update us on the Trey situation" I told Tanner once we were back at the house.

"Yeah, I'll let you guys know" he nodded.

"Alright, I'm going to get home. Thanks for bringing me out to dinner with you guys" I gave everybody a hug except Jace who followed me to my car, where I then gave him a hug.

"Don't wait too long on telling Ryder" he said as I opened my car door. "He's already been waiting for you for awhile"

"Well I mean I was taken so I don't know why he'd wait anyway" he gave me an unamused look. "What? He knew it, plus what if I didn't return the feelings then he'd be waiting his whole life"

"Why do you make things difficult" he put a hand to his face and shook his head.

"Difficult is my middle name" I joked

"No, it's Phoenix" he chuckled "He obviously could tell that you felt something there too otherwise he probably wouldn't be waiting on you" he said with a roll of his eyes.

"Yes, yes I know. I won't make him wait too much longer. I just hope I'm not too late when I do finally tell him" I said solemnly, thinking about how he could eventually lose feelings and I'd be left with not knowing what could've been between us.

"I'm pretty sure he'd wait forever for you and that says something Matt"

"I know" I said with a small smile "I'll talk to you tomorrow Jem"

"Laters Mattsy" he said with a salute while I closed my door. I returned the gesture before pulling away from the curb and whipping a shitty to head home.

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