The Cunningham's and the Montgomery's have since long been feuding with one another. Dating decades back, the two families separate advertising companies in New York City have been competing to win over the most clients and become the most acclaimed...
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WHEN I went back into Matteo's room hours later — and left Nic behind on the terrace, since he said he would be okay and I trusted him — he had just passed out into a deep sleep after receiving the news that he would be discharged in the morning. The doctors were recommending Matteo get some help, and Theo knew Matteo already had a therapist and used to be a part of a sobriety club. He said he would talk to Matteo about it tomorrow once he was awake and better.
It was late and despite everything that had gone down, I knew we needed to get home before our parents noticed we were both gone. They'd been asleep when we left and I wanted it to stay that way when we got back. I wasn't sure how we'd both explain our whereabouts. And there was no way in hell we'd be able to admit to taking the Montgomery's helicopter to get us to Syracuse far faster than it would have been to drive.
Will didn't want to leave, of course. It was hard for him to leave Matteo's side and he didn't try and hide it even though I knew we were both thinking the same thing. Theo assured Will about a thousand times that he would take care of Matteo. He would stay all night in the hospital, bring Matteo back to the frat house, keep an eye on him, keep him fed and hydrated, and make sure that Matteo called Will when he was feeling better. It did take a while, but finally, I was able to pull Will away from the hospital and back to the Montgomery's helicopter. Nic was with us when we got on the helicopter to head back to the city.
Just over 40 minutes later, Will and I were back in our apartment and made our way up to the penthouse. Thankfully, when we got inside, there was no sign of our parents. They were still asleep and since we hadn't received any phone calls or texts, it was clear that they hadn't heard or noticed our disappearance for a few hours.
I followed Will through the hallway towards our rooms and almost went into mine until I felt Will tap my shoulder. He nodded towards the balcony we shared. I nodded and followed him out to the balcony, closing the door behind us. I sat on the daybed while Will took the spot across from me in the beanbag.
"We don't have to talk about all this tonight. It's been rough," I said.
Will shrugged. "Yeah, it's been shitty. And terrifying. But I've been trying to build up the courage to tell you all of this anyway... So why wait, I guess?"
Will sighed and settled down in his beanbag, pulling his knees up into his chest. He grabbed the blanket nearby and wrapped it around himself tightly. He knew that I was waiting for answers. Though, I already knew the answers, really. It was obvious now in the way Matteo had requested Will's presence, how upon seeing Will, Matteo had immediately reached out to take his hand, and how Will had been so hesitant to leave Matteo but so quick to hold his hand for hours on end.
I knew the answers already as to what their relationship (their assumed friendship) entailed, but the explanation was what I needed.
"I guess... You want to know how it all happened," Will said. "Me and... Me and Matteo."
