Unspoken

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

“So,” Declan says awkwardly for what must be the twentieth time. He anxiously glances over at me once again and I duck my head to hide my smile. So far this is how the whole car ride has been going. Ever since I told Declan that I just want to be friends for the time being, he seems extremely unsure of himself. All of his easy confidence has disappeared. I can see that he is doing everything he can to make me forgive him, but I’m not giving in quite yet. It’s actually kind of cute how nervous he is. Declan runs his hand through his hair and this time I don’t hide my smile.

“What?” he asks me confused and I burst into laughter. I’m not laughing at him, it’s just whenever I’m nervous or in an awkward situation I start hysterically laughing. It’s kind of annoying actually, but I can’t help it. My nerves are strung out because I know that I will shortly be meeting Matthew Simon face to face. And being with Declan is making me nervous in a completely different way. I am laughing so hard that tears begin to stream down my face. Declan can’t help but laugh too and soon all of the previous tension is gone.

“You okay?” Declan asks when I begin gasping for breath. I start to hiccup, which makes Declan start to laugh again. I mock glare at him and his green eyes sparkle mischievously. It’s going to be a lot harder than I thought to be just friends with Declan. I want to kiss him so badly!

* * *

Before too long we pull into Matthew Simon’s driveway. He doesn’t exactly live in the best part of town. Graffiti covers the walls of nearby stores and trash litters the sidewalk. We get out of the truck and Declan walks close to me, glancing around protectively. There isn’t a doorbell, so I gently rap my knuckles on the door. It takes a few minutes before the door pulls back revealing a thirty something man with shaggy blonde hair and chestnut brown eyes. He keeps his door partially closed and glances at us suspiciously.

“What do you want?” he asks narrowing his eyes. I don’t blame him for being wary. This doesn’t really seem like the safest place to live. I nudge Declan, hoping he will be able to stop him from shutting the door completely.

“Are you Matthew Simon?” Declan asks with an easy smile, trying to appear friendly. The man looks both of us over and seems to decide we aren’t a threat. He nudges the door open a bit more.

“It depends why you want to know.” he says gruffly.

“Well, I’m Declan Meyers and this is Arianna Rogers. We were hoping that we could talk to you,” Declan says smoothly. When my name is mentioned Matthew’s eyes widen.

“Arianna?” he asks peering at me closely. I nod and he continues to stare. It is starting to weird me out, but then he snaps out of it. “Please come in.”

He steps out of the doorway and we follow him inside. Matthew’s house is actually a lot nicer than it appears from the outside. He leads us into his living room and gestures for us to take a seat. There is only a love seat and a leather recliner. Matthew sits in the recliner, which leaves the love seat for me and Declan. It is kind of small and I end up practically sitting on his lap. He doesn’t seem to mind very much.

“So, I was wondering if I would ever get to see my niece again,” Matthew says, leaning back in his chair. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise and Declan looks back and forth between us, trying to make a connection.

“Niece?” Declan finally asks.

“You didn’t know?” Matthew wonders, looking at me. I shake my head no and his eyebrows crease in confusion. “Then why are you here?”

“Um, well we were told you might be able to help us by a man named Richard Sims,” Declan says after I elbow him. He seems to be having a harder time taking in the fact that Matthew is my uncle than I am. Matthew’s lip curls up at the mention of Richard.