The debacle of Matt's unexpected, drunken affection kept me awake most of the night. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that he might love me, though he probably didn't and it had just been his drunk self talking. Still, it haunted me. How could Matt love me when my own mate refused? It was so twisted and messed up.
My work alarm yanked me out of the deep abyss I had sunken into about four hours earlier. I realized Matt and I were sleeping in the same bed again, in spite of what I had told myself. If he really somehow did love me—though he couldn't possibly—this was all my fault. I should've never invited him into my life.
I showered, blow-dried my hair, and dressed in a black pencil skirt and royal blue blouse. Thoughts of seeing Tandan at work made me feel anxious while I attempted to put on my makeup. There was no telling how I would react if we saw each other. We mated, yet we were hardly mates. Although the blazing pain of the heat had finally gone away with the deed, the constant pang in my chest hurt worse than the heat ever had.
Matt finally came to, and he was completely hungover. I had half an hour before work, so I took the time to fry an egg and pour a mug of coffee for him. He stumbled into the kitchen wearing the same clothes I had found him in last night. Darkness swelled under his dull blue eyes, and his shaggy blonde hair fell limply around him.
"Morning," I greeted, controlling my voice.
He nodded, blinked at the window where the sun was pouring in, and sank into the kitchen chair with a huff. Licking his chapped lips, he picked up the mug and took a few long gulps of the scalding hot brew. It didn't even faze him. I watched in fascinated silence while he scarfed down the food and downed the rest of the coffee. When he was done, he decided to acknowledge me again.
"Lee," he grumbled, "what happened last night?"
Rolling my eyes, I strolled over to him from where I'd been leaning against the kitchen counter. "Where's your phone?"
"What?"
"Where's your phone?" I repeated. "I'm calling your boss."
"Oh, no." He waved me off. "What day is it?"
My patience was dwindling. "Who the hell let you get that drunk last night, Matt? It was a damn weeknight."
Evidently, my scolding pierced through his hungover haze. His cheeks reddened as he ducked his head. I held out my hand in expectation.
Sighing, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and muttered, "I'll call him myself."
Once he'd called in to work with the fever and vomiting excuse, I ordered him to go take a shower and clean up. I had to leave for work, but I told him he could stay here until he felt up to leaving. Matt just bobbed his head and shuffled towards the bedroom. My throat itched to ask him about his profession last night, but I decided to keep it to myself. Maybe if I never mentioned it, we could pretend like it never happened.
The few hours of sleep I had gotten began to take their toll when I showed up at work. I poured myself a second cup of coffee and doused it in creamer and sugar. At this point, I didn't care if it all made me fat. I just needed to stay awake. Angelica didn't ask, and I didn't tell. It seemed by lunch time that Tandan wouldn't be coming in after all. Angelica and I didn't talk about that either.
Before we began closing, Angelica approached me at my desk. I forced a smile and greeted her. Staring at the computer all day had made me even sleepier than I already was.
"I'm not sure when Tandan intends on coming back," she told me, "so you'll be giving tours from here on out. Is that okay?"
I blinked at her, uncomprehending. "Coming back?" I asked. "Where is he?"
She offered a shrug. "Not sure. He didn't call in or anything, but he's the boss. He doesn't have to, I guess."
"Oh..." My face had fallen, I could tell. "Well, sure, I can give tours. I wouldn't mind."
"Great," she said, though she sounded about as happy as I did. Perhaps she was upset about Tandan, too. Maybe he had left her in the dark as he had left me. "Well, I'll see you in the morning then."
"Have a goodnight," I replied and began packing up my belongings.
Today had been beyond rough, so I picked up Chinese food on the drive home. I didn't even know if I would have the energy to even eat the damn stuff by the time I got home. To my surprise, Matt was passed out in my bed when I reached the apartment. I gently shook him awake.
"Hmm?" he grumbled sleepily.
"You want some food?" I asked.
The way his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth while he considered my offer let me know he was dehydrated. I sighed. He was a full grown man, yet he still didn't know how to take care of himself. Rather than wait for a response, I pulled him up into a sitting position and rested his back against the wall. He stared at me in obscure curiosity.
"I'll bring you some food and water," I said. "Stay here."
Of course, when I came back, he was gone. It didn't take my sensitive hearing to pick up on the sound of him retching in the bathroom. Perfect. I hope he made it to the toilet. When the dry heaves stopped, I entered the bathroom and found him curled up beside the toilet. There didn't seem to be any residue of his stomach contents on the floor, so I made my way to his side.
"Still alive?" My fingers brushed against his damp cheek.
"Barely," he grunted. "I'm never drinking again. Ever."
Chuckling, I brushed the hair from his face. "I think that's a safe bet."
"Mhmm. You just don't want to have to take care of drunk idiots anymore."
"Well, that's true. But I also know alcohol poisoning can kill you, and I'd rather not see my one true friend die."
His attempt at a smile was strangled and grimaced, and it made me produce a genuine grin. "Aww, you love me," he remarked.
My grin immediately fell. Before I could say anything, he was up on his knees and barfing into the toilet again. I sank back onto my bottom and rubbed my face. It was going to be another long night.