Page 31

CHAPTER 31

Zoey

W hen Matt told me a few days ago he’d be moving on Wednesday, I thought it was going to be some huge undertaking. I hated moving my apartment, and I didn’t have furniture to move, but with everyone showing up to pitch in and all the vehicles available, we got everything out pretty quickly.

And of course, because it’s moving day, Jayden’s been extremely fussy. Even this morning when I met them at the rink, he wasn’t acting like his normal self. He didn’t want to be in his car seat at all while we were there and only wanted to be in the carrier on my chest. He slept quite a bit when we went to Matt’s afterwards to do some final packing before everyone came over to help.

I’m upstairs stocking Jayden’s change table when Matt’s voice comes from downstairs. “Bug!”

I stop what I’m doing immediately and rush down stairs where Matt has Jayden strapped to his chest as he paces and rubs Jayden’s back. Jayden is crying, his face red as he tries to communicate whatever he’s feeling. Matt looks beyond stressed.

“What’s up?”

Some of Matt’s panic fades when he sees me. “Have you seen his elephant? He won’t stop.”

“I put him in my purse so we didn’t lose him,” I say as I walk around him to the kitchen island. I join Matt at his side with the stuffy and dance it for Jayden. He starts reaching for it, but when I give it to him, he drops it and reaches for me. I can’t read Matt’s expression, but he starts to hand Jayden to me, and I take him. Jayden doesn’t stop crying, but he calms a little. I bounce him and coo that everything’s alright, and slowly, he starts to calm down.

Matt’s shoulders slump as he watches me and Jayden. “Thank you. Nothing was working.”

Stress and anxiety are coming off Matt in waves, and I need to try to relax him. “I guess I just have that special touch with the Carter men,” I joke.

That pulls a smile from him. “That you do.”

“I’ve got him if you want to help everyone bring in the last of the stuff.”

He nods and kisses my cheek before heading out the front door. I bend and grab the elephant before continuing to walk and soothe Jayden. He’s starting to get stuffy and has some snot collecting below his nose. I look around for a towel or maybe some tissues and, of course, don’t find any. Not sure how I’m supposed to find anything when it’s all in boxes. I decide fuck it and pull at the sleeve of my long-sleeve shirt and wipe his nose. I’ll wash it later.

Once everything is inside the house, Mrs. Carter tries to help unpack the kitchen, Matt and Josh head upstairs to set up Jayden’s crib, and Gianna is behind them to unpack as much of Jayden’s stuff as possible.

I sit on the couch that’s been just pushed against a wall to be out of the way. Jayden’s fully asleep right now, and I don’t want to disturb him if I don’t need to. Liv takes a seat beside me with Cate.

“He’s very attached to you.”

I smile at her. “I’m very attached to him.”

“Which of them?” she asks.

I turn my head to face her, and she’s got a serious expression. It has my mind racing, because my first instinct is to say both. I’m now so attached to both Matt and Jayden that I’m not sure I see my life without either of them. If you had asked me a few months ago if I saw myself as someone who would join a ready-made family, I’d have told you no, I wanted to build my own. But I feel about Jayden the same way I think I would my own children. I want to help give him the world. I want to be there to support him in every adventure he tries and to help pick him up every time he falls. I’m scared as hell about how much I care for this little guy and even more scared for how deeply I care for Matt. It’s like he’s managed to dig up all these feelings I’ve had all this time that were buried so deep I didn’t even know I had them. I knew I had crushed on him, but this isn’t just some crush. These are life is better, breathing is easier, feels like anything is possible feelings.

I can’t look at Liv right now. I don’t need her pushing and trying to get more out of me than I’m ready to admit right now. I need time.

“Both,” I whisper, hoping it’s enough to satisfy her for now. Of course, my best friend can read me. She reaches out and squeezes my arm but doesn’t say anything. She scoots closer, and I lean into her, two babies asleep on us as we take in everyone moving around helping Matt get settled.

The guys and Gi come downstairs, and everyone gathers in the living room.

Matt takes a seat beside me and runs his hand over Jayden’s back. “Thanks for all your help, guys. I appreciate it.”

Everyone nods or says, “of course,” and Matt shakes their hands and hugs them before everyone leaves.

“We should get this little one in his bed. He’s out like a rock,” I say, and Matt nods before following me upstairs.

The guys and Gi did really well getting Jayden’s room set up as much as possible. I lay Jayden down in his crib and stare down at him for a minute, taking in his cuteness. He’s a little snotty again, so I wipe his nose with my sleeve again before whispering, “Goodnight, little guy,” and leaving his room.

Matt and I are silent as we make our way down the stairs and I grab my purse.

He wraps his arms around me and pulls me in close. “Is there any way I could convince you to spend the night with me?”

“I have some things to do in the morning with Maggie, and I don’t have any clothes here.”

“Maybe we should change that,” he says, a soft smile on his lips.

“Which part? My plans with Maggie or the clothes?”

“The clothes. Why don’t you bring some stuff here? The closet is plenty big enough, and I want you spend more time here.”

“So, we’re at the I have a drawer phase, then?”

He seems to contemplate his words for a minute before he asks, “Is that where you want us to be?”

Something about it sounds so right. Matt and I spent so much time as friends that when we moved into dating, it just felt natural. Now I constantly want to be around him. I’ve slept the best I have in a while when I’ve been in his bed. A drawer would be the next logical step.

I nod, and he grins like a freaking fool, but I love that he’s that excited about my answer.

“So, the next time you come over, bring a bag. Bring as much as you want.”

“Don’t you know to never trust a girl with your closet,” I tease.

“I’d let you take the whole thing if you wanted it.”

The genuineness of his words hits me, and I fall even more for him. Matt’s in this. He’s not pushing me away or looking for an out. He’s in it.

He smiles at me and shakes his head.

“What?” I ask.

He drags his teeth over his bottom lip. “Just something Liv said when she left today.”

I chuckle softly knowing it could be anything when it comes to Liv. “What did she say?”

“She said you’re taming me. Got me all domesticated and shit.”

I grin up at him. “Well, I’m glad I’m the one taming you.”

His smile matches mine. “Me, too.”

He kisses me softly, and I hum against his lips as I lean into him. I fight the desire to stay wrapped in his arms.

“I should get home, but I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” I whisper, and he nods.

“Text me when you get home.”

Matt doesn’t release me until I agree, his protective side needing to know I’m safe.

I groan as my phone rings Friday morning. I roll over and see the time on the screen. It’s only 6 a.m. Matt’s name and picture fill the screen. I know Matt wouldn’t be calling me this early if it wasn’t important.

“What’s wrong?” I answer.

“Jayden’s sick. Like super sick. I have no idea what I’m doing.” Matt is freaking out.

“Okay. He’s going to be okay. Let me get up, and I’ll be over as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, Zo.”

“Of course. Everything is going to be fine.”

Matt sighs and says, “Okay.”

I hang up and throw a few extra things in my partially packed bag I had sitting on my reading chair. I quickly change into some clothes and rush out of the house and over to Matt’s.