After Andy (#6 in the 'Outcast' Series)

Chapter 47

Chapter 47:

"We wanna announce them tomorrow at about eleven-twelve o'clock," Matt said, Zacky giving a nod as I walked over to them. "You run the page so you can figure out what to say; don't announce it until around then."

Zacky gave another nod before heading off to do something else; Matt looked to me.

"Hey," he said; he was still sounding stressed and rather drained. "Think you've got it all worked out? Not gonna have any problems tomorrow are we?"

I shook my head. "No problems; all set."

"Good, good," Matt said. "Alright, well you're free to head out for the day if you wanna. I'll be here for about another hour or so; make sure everything's gonna be ok for tomorrow."

"You sound like you really need to take a breather and maybe sit down for a bit," I said, Matt shrugging.

"It's fine; just got a lot happening right now is all," he sighed, making me nod. "I'm just hoping that everything goes ok tomorrow; fuck I don't want anything fucking this up for us."

"What would go wrong?" I asked with a frown.

"You never know Ashley; never know what could happen," he said, readjusting his snapback. "Just gotta be prepared for something to happen; most times it's fine but there's always that one time that something might mess it all up."

"Well I'm sure everything will be fine; don't stress yourself out too much Matt," I said, Matt giving a nod. "Call me if there's anything you need help with."

"I'll be fine Ashley; no need to worry about me."

"Well I dunno if that statement is really true Matt," I said, Matt rolling his eyes. "No, I'm serious; I don't wanna bring this up again, but you're clearly still not one-hundred percent."

"If you didn't wanna bring it up again then why did you?" Matt asked seriously. "Ashley, I get it; you're concerned. I don't wanna talk about it, so give it a rest; I'm not gonna tell you what I did."

"What you did?"

I saw as Matt realised he'd slipped up with his words.

"I said what happened," he tried, already knowing I'd heard what he'd said.

"Matt, stop avoiding this shit; you said what I did so you've kinda just told me you did something. You didn't say what happened," I said, Matt looking away from me. "You know you can tell me what actually did happen; you don't have to keep everything a secret. Sometimes it's better to talk about this kinda stuff y'know."

"I'd rather not if that's ok Ashley," he said, a bit of sadness in his tone as he finally looked back to me. "It's just...very personal, alright? I'd rather not say anything because it doesn't matter anymore; it never mattered to begin with, so it matters even less now. I don't wanna talk about it so please don't bring it up again. I'll see you tomorrow."

He walked off without another word, making me sigh.

***

Corey looked up as he saw me stop at my office door. He scrambled to his feet, making me glance at him as I unlocked the door; it was just before midday.

"Y'know this' the last day you'll get to hang around my office door," I stated as I opened the door and went in, Corey following and leaving the door ajar.

"Yeah I know," he sighed, sitting down on his usual chair as I sat down at my desk. "I didn't know what time you'd be in today."

"Was busy this morning but I'm here now," I said, Corey nodding. "How's everything with your uncle?"