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“Sure.”
“Did you start school late? At eighteen, I thought you’d be a senior?”
Matty pulled into the garage for The Towers and navigated the Ferrari down one level to a special access lane designated for those who owned units within the building. The penthouse unit had ten oversized parking spaces along the far wall. Every spot was empty, so Matty snagged the first one. The bay was otherwise full of luxury vehicles and black sedans. Vegas’s crème de la crème lived here.
“When my dad died, I was in first grade. I guess I didn’t react well. Honestly, I don’t remember much. All I know is that Mom and Grandpa Tommy pulled me out of school for the remainder of the year and I had to repeat it. I’ve been a year older than all my classmates and friends since the start.”
“I’m sorry that happened. Thanks for telling me. I’d been wondering.”
“You mean you haven’t been freaking out over dating a junior in high school, Matty?”
“Maybe a little,” he said sheepishly. Matty killed the engine but neither of us moved to exit the vehicle. I hadn’t told Matty where I wanted to go tonight, but given that The West Flamingo was next door, I didn’t feel the need to elaborate. “But not anymore. I didn’t mean to hijack your story.”
“No, it’s okay,” I said as we faced each other. “Anyway, Mom and I lived month to month. Things weren’t good. Mom didn’t conceal from me that the deli wasn’t making a profit anymore and she was having a difficult time making payroll. In the end, it was just me, my mom, and two other part-time employees. Mom was running herself ragged for a business that she didn’t even love. Our main saving grace was that Grandpa Tommy owned the apartment above the deli, which Mom inherited when he died, so at least we had a place to live, and if things got worse, we could eat sandwiches until we were blue in the face.”
Matty’s strong hands wrapped around mine and in that moment I felt safe and secure. I didn’t know how I would feel once I confronted Drew—provided he even opened his door—but I was thankful that Matty was with me. Matty was not a selfless person, but he’d driven me over three hundred miles without once demanding a reason why.
That had to mean something. Love? Lust? What? I wasn’t ready to confront those feelings at the moment.
“Mom knew my dream,” I said. “She also knew we could never afford UCLA. Our plan was to apply for financial aid and pray for a scholarship, but the truth is, we just didn’t know. And you know what? I would have been okay no matter what. Community college was never out of the question. I could knock out credits and save up for UCLA.”
Matty nodded. “And you just learned you’d gotten into UCLA without ever applying,” Matty said. “So what happened?”
“Do you remember the special courier letter that Miss Paulina delivered yesterday morning?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I forgot all about it. My high school counselor texted to congratulate me on my acceptance. Naturally, I was confused. When I opened the mail, I found the acceptance letter, which made no sense considering I hadn’t actually applied. While you were having dinner with Zoey, I called my counselor. He was rather elusive, and suggested I call my mom to get details.”
“Did you?”
“I did. Given the time difference, she and Stefon were asleep, but my repeated calling finally got through to her. She couldn’t tell that I was upset. She was so happy that I’d been accepted into UCLA, and even confessed that it was one of the reasons she agreed to Stefon’s proposal.”
I watched Matty’s face as he took in these details. His jaw clenched.
“My dad dangled your college education as part of his marriage proposal, didn’t he?” He paused. “I mean, I’m not surprised, especially if it was something she revealed to him. I’m not saying it’s right,” he added before I could argue with him. “But my dad’s the type who’d do everything he could to make his match advantageous for her. If that meant getting you into UCLA, my dad has the means and connections to make that happen. I’m living proof of that. I’m a good swimmer but my grades aren’t exactly stellar. The admissions team probably had your name on the roster before our parents even said, ‘I Do’.”
I sensed he still wasn’t understanding my problem with the arrangement.
“I didn’t get into the program on my own merit, Matty. I was accepted because of the Vaulteneau name and money. I feel so conflicted about that. On one hand, it’s everything I’ve ever wanted. On the other, someone else made the decision for me without consulting me. It’s like…” I paused, trying to find the right words. “It’s like I’m not in control of my own life. I suddenly moved away from the only home I’d ever known. I left all my friends behind. I feel unmoored, like at any minute the floor will be yanked out from underneath me. That each step is fraught with uncertainty.”
Matty nodded and his eyes bloomed with fuller understanding.
“That’s…” Matty started. “That’s a lot of change in a short amount of time. When you factor in your mom’s reasoning, and the fact that she didn’t consult you, I understand why it’s upsetting you. It’s hard to find meaning when everything is chaotic. I’d be upset, too. I am so sorry. I’m also sorry for being dimwitted and not comprehending what you were trying to explain to me.”
“Thanks,” I said with a watery smile. “If it’s any consolation, I don’t think you’re always dimwitted.”
Matty let out a soft laugh before turning serious. “I have one question, though.”
“What?”
“You said you wanted to come here to confront the man who orchestrated everything.” Matty’s voice was cautious, as if he was afraid to know the truth. Or maybe he was nervous to ask it aloud. “Who is he and how did he orchestrate it?”
My face felt hot as I attempted to answer. There was no easy way to explain that I was involved with a trusted adult who took advantage of me, but who also somehow knew a billionaire and strategically introduced my mom to that billionaire.
That alone had me questioning everything I knew.
Who was Drew?
