On Me (Matt Sturniolo) - 8.

"Uh..yeah" I replied to Josh, as I stared at Matt. "Josh I have to go. Rachel is here. I'll see you soon...love you"

I let him say 'I love you' back, before I ended the call and put my phone in my pocket.

Lie number one.

"Sorry" I sighed, hoping he didn't hear me.

"I didn't realise you were on the phone" he said, looking into my eyes.

He was wearing jeans again, and a loose shirt that reminded me of something you'd see if you were high. The colours made my head spin, but it was very Matt.

"Was that your boyfriend?" He asked, and I nodded.

"Yeah...he's checking in"

Matt smiled, hiding his hands behind his back.

"That's nice" he commented, and awkwardness filled the air again. "So...I enjoyed this weekend"

"So did I. Thanks for staying with me while Rachel...you know"

I tucked hair behind my ear and looked down nervously.

Matt laughed. "I do. It was my pleasure, honestly"

"I had fun" I said, offering him a small smile. "It was nice getting to know, Matt"

His face hardened and his eyes burned into me.

"This isn't goodbye, is it?"

"Isn't it?"

"I wouldn't like to think so" he added. "I'd like to think this was the start"

I stared at him, trying to figure out what his plan was.

I hated to think of him that way, but he knew that I had to go home, back to real life, back to cancer and back to my boyfriend.

Why wouldn't he think this was goodbye?

He had a different lifestyle to me...there was parties, famous friends, fancy dinners, private jets- a different world to mine.

"Why wouldn't you think so?" I found myself asking, locking eyes with him.

"Because I like you" he said, and his mouth twitched. "I mean..I'm fond of you. I'd like to keep in touch, as friends"

I stared at him, bouncing on my feet as I tried to process his small confession.

"Matt-"

"Madison, please" he started, gently. "I don't think I could go back to my life and not know how you're doing. You've made that much of an impact on me..."

"What makes me different from anyone else you've met?"

I wasn't trying to be a bitch, but it was the truth....what did I have that other girls didn't?

"They're not you" Matt commented

I felt like I had been punched in the gut.

"I promise I won't cross the line" he assured. "I know you have a boyfriend, and you've made that clear. I hope you don't think I'm trying to hook up with you, because I'm not...I'd like to stay in touch, see how you're doing. You know, friends?"

The more he talked about it, the more I was falling for it.

My head was screaming at me to back off, to end it now while it was nice between us, but my heart was telling me different.

There was no denying that he was a genuine, lovely person...I guess the realistic side of me was kicking in because I didn't want to give Josh the wrong idea.

But I could be friends with him, right?

"Madz, look, it's okay if you don't want to, I understand. I don't want to cause trouble-"

"You have to understand I'm still wary, Matt. I've a lot going on, and I don't need my boyfriend giving me crap because of what this could look like to him-"

I watched how he clenched his jaw and shifted on his feet.

"But, I really like you too....and we can be friends. But on my terms"

"Okay..." Matt paused. "What do you have in mind?"

"No numbers" I said, seriously. "So no phone calls, texting...nothing"

Matt frowned. "How could we-"

"Instagram" I smiled. "I'll follow you, you'll follow me. We'll DM on that, it's less hassle. It's a good start, don't you think?"

"If it means I'll gain your trust, so you'll eventually trust me to give me your number, then yeah" he smiled. "I don't want to cause trouble in your relationship"

"Good" I smiled, grabbing my bag.

"Wait, aren't you going to tell me your username?" Matt asked, confused.

I shook my head. "I'll follow you when I'm ready, Matt"

He smirked. "Promise?"

"I promise" I told him, deciding there and then I was going to give a hug.

He smelled and felt amazing.

"If you don't follow me, I'll come and find you"

"Okay then, stalker" I teased, smiling at him.

I grabbed my suitcase as Rachel came into view outside, yelling at me the Uber was here.

"Bye Madz" Matt said. "Look after yourself"

"I will" I promised. "Bye, Matt" I whispered, giving him a smile and a small wave, before leaving the hotel.

"You took your time" Rachel mumbled, taking my suitcase. "Are you okay?"

"Fine" I assured her, holding the door of the car for support.

I looked up, seeing Matt standing by the door, with a smile on his face as he lifted his hand, waving at me.

I waved once more, before Rachel yelled at me one more time to get into the car...and just like that, I was in and slamming the door behind me, saying goodbye to one of the best weekends of my life.

On Me (Matt Sturniolo) - 8. - Page 3 (2024)