His Secret

14. Adrian

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ADRIAN

Our meeting with our outsourcing partner takes hours. By the time we’re done, it’s nearing five-thirty, and none of us have eaten.

Drew is the one who suggests we all eat dinner before getting back in the car for another four hours. Andrea immediately co-signs.

Matías looks at his watch. “Yeah, we should definitely eat.”

Andrea, already on her phone, says, “There’s a sushi spot two blocks away.”

“Adrian doesn’t eat sushi,” Matías quickly responds.

My head turns to him, and his snaps up from his phone, like he just realized what he said. “Or do you?”

I shake my head. “Nope. Still not a fan.”

“There’s an Italian place three blocks that way,” he says, gesturing to the right. “Or a Mexican spot about two and a half blocks away.”

“Mexican,” Drew answers immediately.

“A margarita sounds good,” Andrea adds.

I shrug. “I’m happy with that. ”

Drew and Andrea say they’re gonna drive there, but Matías wants to walk.

“It doesn’t make sense to drive two blocks away and struggle to find parking along the street that you’ll have to pay for anyway. We’re already parked in the garage here, and it’s not a long walk.”

I chuckle. “You don’t have to explain it to me.”

“I am gonna drop off my briefcase though.”

On the walk to the car, I debate trying to bring up the Halloween party again. I was surprised he brought it up in the first place, but besides mentioning our costumes, and some argument that happened between Johnson and Barlow, which I didn’t even remember, he didn’t say anything else.

The Halloween party was a significant moment in my life. The first time I’d given a blowjob, for one. And then later that night at his place when I realized I was falling for him.

“So, you remembered I don’t like sushi.”

“I shouldn’t have assumed. You could’ve had a change of heart. Sort of hard to keep up with what you like and what you don’t.”

Well, that didn’t go as planned.

“I’m still pretty much the same,” I say as we head out of the parking garage and onto the street.

He looks at me, his eyes roaming all the way down my body until they get to the ring on my finger.

“Hmm.”

I slip my hand in my pocket, and I don’t know why.

I study him as we walk to the restaurant, cataloging everything that’s the same, but also the differences as well. He’s still got what looks like silky smooth hair, though now he wears it in a more sleek, business style. I remember tugging on those strands many, many times.

He’s bigger now, and not just because he got older, but it’s clear he’s spent time in the gym, and he used to cringe when I’d invite him to workout with me.

The biggest difference is his personality. He was never one for people. I know he’d choose quiet nights at home versus parties and social events. He’s obviously still the same way, but he’s quite closed off. He’s stiff and serious. That’s not the Matías I knew.

When we walk into the restaurant, he peers around, looking for Andrea and Drew but they aren’t here yet. We grab a table for four and wait.

A waitress comes by to get our drink orders and to drop off a basket of chips with some salsa.

I expect him to ask for water, but he surprises me when he orders a margarita on the rocks. I order the same thing and wait for the waitress to leave.

“I didn’t think you were gonna drink.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve changed a little bit.”

“I can see that.”

His eyes find me, and it’s hard not to look at him like I don’t appreciate his beauty. I turn my head and pretend to watch a TV mounted over the bar.

“Who do you root for now?” he asks.

I turn around. “Huh?”

“You moved to Chicago. But you used to live here. I remember you telling me about a rivalry.”

I grin, happy that he remembered. “Right. Well, I adapted to life there in Chicago. I was a Bears fan through and through.”

“And now that you’re here,” he questions. “Are you adapting again?”

Something in his tone makes me freeze. He puts an accent on here and adapting . It feels like he’s asking something else, or maybe it’s just in my head .

“I’m not sure.”

He nods, watching me carefully.

The waitress arrives with our drinks just as Andrea and Drew show up, so she takes their drink orders before disappearing into the kitchen.

“Should’ve stayed in the parking garage,” Matías says with a grin.

“I didn’t think the streets would be so packed,” Andrea replies. “It’s a Tuesday, for crying out loud.”

“It’s Taco Tuesday” I say, pointing to the table tent with the specials.

“Ooh,” she exclaims, picking it up and reading it.

The waitress brings their drinks and takes our food order, and then we’re left to make small talk.

“How are you liking the area?” Drew asks me, picking up his glass.

“I like it. I actually went to college in South River, so it’s not too new.”

“Oh, yeah? How long were you away for?”

“Almost eight years.”

“Where did you go?” Andrea asks before biting into a chip.

“Chicago.”

“Nice,” Drew replies. “I love Chicago. What made you come back?”

I shift in my seat, twisting my margarita glass around. “Work. I uhh, worked with my dad in Chicago. He has his own business there, but I was looking for a change.”

“How does he feel about you leaving?”

I force a smile. “Not the happiest, but…” I shrug and leave it at that.

“You went to college in South River too, right?” Drew asks Matías .

“Matías and I were classmates.”

“Matías?” Drew questions. “Not Matt?”

“My name is Matías. I just go by Matt at work. People began shortening it when I started there, so I went with it.”

“So you two were friends?” Andrea asks.

We both hesitate, but then I reply. “Yeah, but I didn’t know he was working at Galaxy Moon, so there were no special favors to get me the job,” I say with a laugh.

“We hadn’t spoken in quite some time,” Matías adds.

The conversation soon shifts, and we do eventually start talking about work, then Drew and I discuss the NBA finals. Andrea excuses herself to make a call to her husband, and then Drew mentions trying some dating app.

“It’s hard to meet women. All I do is work and sleep. The apps make it easier to filter through the bullshit.”

“Had any luck?”

“Not really. But there’s a lot of apps. I’m sure something will work eventually.”

“What apps do you use?” I ask Matías.

“You’re on dating apps?” Drew asks.

“I don’t think our apps would be the same,” he tells him with a grin.

“Oh, right. Is it easier? I’d assume all guys are pretty straightforward about what they want or what they’re looking for.”

“You’d think,” Matías answers before taking a sip. “I have a specific type I look for now, so you’re right, the apps help filtering. I put in what I’m looking for, and I can go to their profiles to see if they fit before I waste time sending a message.”

“What about you?” Drew turns his attention to me.

“Oh.” I sit up a little. “I’m married, so no apps for me. ”

“How’d you meet her?” Drew asks, and suddenly I want him to leave because I don’t want to have this conversation right now.

“Through my dad, actually. His business partner had a daughter, and we were introduced.”

“Some people just get lucky, I guess,” he says.

“Mm,” Matías murmurs, nodding his head.

Andrea returns. “I need to start heading back. My kid is sick.”

She digs into her purse and pulls out her wallet.

“I’ll get it,” Matías offers, holding up his hand. “I hope your kid feels better soon.”

“Thank you.”

Andrea and Drew both shake our hands and leave the restaurant. I check the clock and see that it’s a quarter till eight. We won’t be home until after midnight, and I haven’t even checked in with my wife.

“I’m gonna use the bathroom.”

After I do my business and wash my hands, I pull out my phone and find a couple texts and a call from her. I forgot I turned off my ringer during the meetings.

I call her back and listen to it ring.

“Hello?”

“Hey. I didn’t get your messages until now. I turned off the ringer for the meeting and forgot to turn it back on.”

“That’s fine. Are you on your way home?”

“Not yet. We just got done eating dinner. We had missed lunch so we were all starving.”

“Oh okay. So you’ll be getting in late?”

“Yeah. Don’t feel like you have to wait up.”

“Okay. Well…” the line goes quiet.

“You there? ”

“Yeah. Just be safe.”

“Will do. See you in the morning.”

“Okay.”

The line goes dead, and I huff out a breath.

Our relationship is far from perfect. In fact, I’d say it’s a little rocky. I suppose it’s both of our faults, but I’m not sure how to make it better. Or if it’s possible to do so.

The door swings open and some guy walks in, so I leave and find Matías at the table drinking water.

“Hope you don’t have to get back right away. I drank one more margarita than I should've and probably need to give it some time before I drive.”

“Oh. That’s fine. Can’t have you breaking the law.”

“If I were alone, I’d probably just get a hotel, but…” His eyes slide over and drink in my body. “Can’t do that.”

I try not to let my thoughts run away with that line. “And miss work tomorrow?” I question with a little chuckle, trying to joke. “My Matías didn’t even want to skip class after we stayed up until three in the morning. There’s no way you’d call out of work.”

I realize afterward that I said my Matías , and I wish I could shovel the words back in my mouth.

He doesn’t mention it, but it’s clear by the look on his face that he heard it. “Well, I’ve definitely called out once or twice before. I don’t make it a habit.”

I begin drinking the water I had abandoned earlier for tequila, and we munch on some leftover chips and salsa.

“Why did you call out before?”

“Just a late night.”

“With someone?” I question, not knowing why I needed to ask, because I certainly don’t want the answer.

“Yes, I was with someone,” he replies easily .

I nod. “Well, I suppose it was worth it.”

He grins, like he’s remembering the night and is fond of the memories. I want to take back the question and rewind time because I don’t want him remembering someone else.

He eats a chip, his eyes on me but not really. He’s clearly in his head, but his gaze is in my direction. I watch his eyes roam and his teeth scrape across his bottom lip.

“What are you thinking about?”

His eyes find mine. “You don’t want to know,” he says with a hint of a smirk.

“This other guy that you had such a late night with?” I ask, mad at myself for sounding jealous, because where do I get off?

One brow raises, and he’s thinking the same thing.

“No, actually.”

“Then tell me.”

He leans forward, a lazy grin on his lips—his eyes giving away his inebriation. “If you ask me again, I’ll tell you, but I’m warning you, you probably don’t want to know. I’m not your Matías anymore. Things have changed slightly since we were together.” He wipes his mouth with a napkin. “So, do you want to know what it is that I’m thinking about?”

His expression tells me it’s sexual. His eyes and the way they study me let me know where his mind is at. The way his teeth dig into his bottom lip tell me he’s imaging or remembering something, and my heart wants to know what it is. However, my brain is begging me not to ask. If I know, I’ll never forget it. I won’t stop thinking about it. It could be a very big mistake.

Matías is grinning at me, amused by my conundrum. He knows what he just did. He lobbed the ball and now it’s in my court. What happens next is up to me .

I swallow, thinking about how my wife is at home waiting for me, but the man I once loved is sitting in front of me baiting me into a question that will no doubt flip my world upside down.

I lick my lips and inhale. “What are you thinking about?”