Page 18 of A Daddy for Christmas 3: Matty

I didn’t look up. “I’m not. He’s going to leave me behind in this hellhole.”

“Wait. Why aren’t you in Florida with him already?”

I shrugged. What could I really say about it? Drake promised but kept putting it off. I felt like he was only humoring me.

“Pffth…enough.” He pulled my hands down. “Get out of here and get yourself a plane ticket. Show up and don’t let him tell you no.”

“He won’t like that.”

“So? Never stopped you before.”

Maybe Andre was right. Maybe I needed to just go there. I could do it. I was also smart enough to buy a round-trip ticket and leave the return date open because Drake might put me on a plane home. But if he didn’t, I’d eventually have to come back to get the rest of my shit.

“You’re right. Can you handle the shift?”

“We can handle all the shifts. Besides, Nicky is getting a lot better on the pole. He can take over until you come back. If you come back.” Andre gave me a knowing smile.

“Maybe I won’t.” With luck.

“Good. But let me know. Don’t be a stranger.” He kissed the top of my head, then pulled me into a big hug. “I got your back. Always.”

“Thanks. I gotta go pack.” I practically bounced to the back door.

I heard Andre hollering behind me. “Now, that’s the Matty I know.”

Well, he wasn’t wrong about that either. I took what I wanted. I didn’t let life beat me up. And if Drake and I were going to have some kind of real relationship, then I needed to be with him.

Chapter seven

Drake – Miami

There was a horn blast from the road, but I didn’t think much of it until the knock at the door. The guys were upstairs fucking around and probably wouldn’t hear it, but I was in the kitchen making a sandwich. I left my fixings on the counter and headed to the door. I opened it slowly, not knowing what to expect. Sure, I was a big guy and could handle my own, but not against a weapon when I was bare-handed. But I had nothing to worry about.

“Surprise!” Matty squealed and jumped into my arms.

I nearly dropped him. “Fuck. Matty.” I grabbed his ass. “What’re you doing?”

“I missed you, so I came out.” His pouty mouth was too luscious, so I kissed it. And ran my fingers through his short hair.

“Handsome boy, you surprised me for sure.”

“Can I come in, or are we going to stand in the doorway all night?”

“Of course. Come on.” I grabbed his bag from the front stoop and headed across the kitchen to my room at the back of the house.

“Is this okay? I mean, that I came out without telling you.”

“It is.” I dropped his bag in the closet and grabbed him. “Come here.” I gave him a huge hug and kissed him. He deserved way better than me. I hadn’t treated him all that well, and yeah, I was a complete grump. People didn’t realize it was because I worried too much. But now with him in my arms again those worries didn’t bog me down nearly as much.

“Was that your sandwich in the kitchen?”

“Yep. Want to join me?”

“Thought you’d never ask.”

Such a simple thing. Making sandwiches with my boyfriend. Who knew that’s what it took to make me happy? Being a rockstar wouldn’t be half as good without him. I shouldn’t have put this off, but now that he was here, I was going to enjoy it.

Chapter eight