Page 21 of Matched (LSU #5)

“ Y ou make the best steak pies.” Sophie placed a hand on her stomach, smiling at Jonas. “I’ll miss this when you guys are gone.”

“He’s definitely got talent,” Jada said. “Even my gran praises his cooking skills, and she’s critical of everyone’s cooking.”

My housemate stood, beginning to clear away our empty plates from our kitchen table, and I pushed my chair back, gathering up the glasses ready to load the dishwasher.

He gave me a small smile before returning his attention to his girlfriend and my sister.

“I dunno about that. Anyway. Soph. I’ll still be around.

You know Jada’s got another year still, and fingers crossed, I’ll have a job lined up by the time I graduate. You’re welcome for dinner anytime.”

“I’ll probably take you up on that. It’s my only chance to get proper, home-cooked food unless I go back to Swindon for the weekend.”

He nodded. “It’s a deal. Can’t let my best mate’s sister starve.”

I shot him a grateful look as I started loading the dishwasher. It made it easier to leave—knowing that although I was a four-hour drive away at the minimum, not accounting for London’s hellish traffic, Jonas would be here, looking out for my sister.

You’re welcome , he mouthed. Crossing to the dishwasher with a stack of dishes, he placed them on the counter. “That’s everything. I’ll be in my room with Jada, unless you want to do something all together?”

I shook my head. “Go ahead. I’m gonna watch Jaws with Soph.”

He eyed me thoughtfully and then moved closer, lowering his voice. “How’s she doing? How are you doing?”

“Good question. I’m going to talk to her tonight.”

“Okay. You know where I am if you need me. Just say the word. Jada understands. She’ll give us space if you need it.” Squeezing my shoulder, his voice rose back to its normal volume. “I’ll leave you to finish cleaning up. It’s only fair since I cooked.”

“We’ve got it,” Sophie called from the table. “Go and relax.”

The two of us finished cleaning up in silence and then headed into the lounge. While Sophie scrolled through Netflix, I ducked back into the kitchen to grab snacks and drinks, dumping them on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

As the opening credits of Jaws started up, I glanced over at Sophie.

She was sitting curled up in the corner of the sofa, hugging one of the cushions to her chest. Catching me watching her out of the corner of her eye, she turned her head and raised her brows in a silent question.

I reached out, squeezing her arm gently. “How are you getting on?”

“Okay.” She turned back to the screen, but not before I caught the downturned slant of her mouth.

“Soph.”

“Fine. I could be better.” She sighed, bringing her knees up, and tilted her head down so her hair swung forwards and hid her expression from me.

“You know I had that date with Charlie? I thought…I suppose I thought it went well, and then we met up at the student union.” Huffing out a laugh that held no humour, she continued.

“Of course, you know that, because you were there. I—we were together. Well, not together. I was there with him as part of a group, and I thought we were having a good time, but then he just…disappeared. He sent me a text later to apologise, but it was weird.”

Fuck. Guilt tore through me. I opened my mouth, although I had no idea what to say, but she wasn’t finished.

“He asked to meet me yesterday at the coffee shop. I had a feeling, but I told myself I was being paranoid. It turned out that I wasn’t paranoid.

He told me he—he was only interested in being friends.

” She exhaled a shuddering breath, swiping at her eyes, and my instincts to comfort her overrode the guilt.

Pulling her into my arms, I stroked my fingers through her hair, like I’d done countless times before when she’d been upset.

When our parents were fighting again, and she’d creep into my room with a tear-stained face, and I’d hold her while I was doing my best not to fall apart. I had to stay strong for her.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, brushing her hair out of her eyes. She shook her head.

“No. It’s silly. Like I said to Charlie, neither of us can help the way we feel.

I just. I really liked him. I still really like him.

I know it’ll fade, and I know we only went on one proper date, so I shouldn’t even be this upset, but right now, it really hurts.

” Her voice was small. “All day today, I kept thinking I was going to see him with another girl, and I know when that happens, it’ll hurt even more. ”

Fucking hell. There was no way on Earth I could ever tell her what had happened between me and Charlie.

Pushing all thoughts of Charlie away, I focused on my sister. I’d invited her over for a reason—to see if she was okay, and she clearly wasn’t. It was time for me to do what I did best. Being the supportive big brother.

“I’m not gonna say all the cliche stuff about there being plenty more fish in the sea, but I will say that you’ve got two more years at LSU to fill with experiences, and I can guarantee that the good will far outweigh the bad.

You’re amazing, Soph. You’ll find someone perfect for you one day. Just not too soon, yeah?”

Turning to face me, she rolled her eyes, and I exhaled, some of my tension draining away. “If you had it your way, I’d never date anyone.” Squeezing my hand, she added, “Thanks, though.”

“Am I that bad?”

“Not really. You’re not even that overprotective, and you don’t meddle in my life like some siblings do. I guess I just sometimes feel like I can’t properly relax when you’re there. It feels like you’re judging me.”

I stared at her. “Soph, I’d never judge you. Okay, maybe I do keep an eye on you when we’re in the same location, but it’s only because I want to make sure you’re alright. I wouldn’t interfere unless there was a situation that needed it.”

Leaning her head against my shoulder, she squeezed my hand.

“I know you’re not judging me. It’s just my brain telling me that.

I do appreciate you looking out for me, I promise.

Anyway, it’ll probably do us both good to have a bit of breathing room next semester.

You never know, you might find a girlfriend in Plymouth who lasts longer than a couple of months, and then you’ll be too busy looking out for her to worry about me. ”

“I doubt it,” I muttered. “It might not be a girl, anyway.”

Her head shot up, her eyes wide. “Nate! Are you?—”

“Bi, I think. Yeah.”

“Since when?”

I shrugged. “Since always, probably. I don’t really know.” As I told her the same things I’d told Jonas and Charlie about being at school and suppressing that part of myself, she squeezed my hand tighter and tighter, curling into me.

“I wish I’d known. I’m sorry. Thank you for telling me, Nate. I’m happy for you, that you can fully be yourself now.”

“Thanks. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” Straightening up, she released my hand, reaching for the bag of popcorn. “Now we can celebrate as well as commiserate by watching a giant shark terrorise a small town.”

I laughed. “Yeah. Pass me the Doritos, will you?”