You're Not In This Alone

The next day dad is not working which means Matt is running the store and I walk there with Pa on his way to work, planning on just going in and speaking with him quickly before heading back home, my body still weak and my stomach still aching. I walk into the store and when Matt spots me his face pales and he says "No Ruby, please..." But I cut him off by saying "Matt please, just talk to me." He sighs before walking around the counter and flipping the sign around, locking the door and closing the store. "Come on then" he says as he leads me out the back into the break room. We take a seat on opposite ends of the couch and we just stare at each other in silence. "So I guess I mostly just want to say sorry." Matt looks at me shocked. "For what?" He asks and I say "For freaking out on you that morning and for what dad did, I'm sorry." "No no Ruby I'm sorry, I should never have..." "I don't regret it" I cut him off again and he looks shocked all over again, falling speechless. "Maybe that's wrong, I have no idea. I'm so fucking confused but when I think about it, I don't regret it." Matt takes a few deep breaths before saying "I guess I'm glad. I definitely feel better knowing you didn't hate it." I shoot him a small smile before saying "Matt, I'm attracted to you, but I don't know what we're meant to do. There's no way we could ever be together and our situation is kinda strange." Matt slides down the couch closer to me and reaches out to take my hand. "Ruby, I know this is so fucking wrong but, I do have feelings for you and I'm crazy attracted to you but your dad's would never ever understand." "I know" I tell him, feeling confused. "You don't think I'm a dirty old pervert?" He asks, sounding scared. I squeeze his hand reassuringly as I say "No, not at all." He smiles at me and we slowly lean in towards each other, our faces lingering so close our noses brush before Matt closes the gap and presses his lips to mine. I kiss back, letting his tongue in when it swipes over my bottom lip and we melt into each other, our tongues sliding together as our bodies slide closer and press against each other. Matts hands slide down to rest on my hips, pulling me as tight against his body as he can. My hands slide up to rest on the back of his neck and when we pull apart we are panting for breath into each other's mouths as we smile at each other before leaning in and grazing our lips together again. "Oh Ruby" he groans out, his forehead resting against mine as he stares into my eyes, his hands sliding up my arms to grab my wrists, pulling my arms down from around his neck and sliding his hands into mine, his fingers linking through mine as our hands come to rest in my lap.

We break apart a few minutes later and we walk back into the front of the store hand in hand before dropping our hands and Matt reopens the store. I make my way around the back of the counter and sit down, Matt coming back a minute later and sitting beside me, his hand sliding into mine again, our fingers linked. I lean over and rest my head on his shoulder and we sit in comfortable silence for a while, the store remaining empty until my phone rings in my pocket. I pull it out with my
free hand and see it's dad. I shoot Matt a small smile before answering it. "Hey dad." "Ruby where are you? I thought you would be home by now." "I'm just about to leave dad..." "No stay there, I'm gonna come down." "Ok then" I tell him before hanging up. "Dad's coming down" I tell Matt and his face pales and be tries to drop my hand. I let him do it, my face dropping and when he looks at me he sighs and grips my chin, turning my face towards him. "Hey, don't be sad beautiful. We just need to keep whatever this is to ourselves, you understand that right?" I nod and he smiles at me before leaning in and kissing me softly once more before we break apart and Matt slides away from me a little, not wanting to be too close. A few minutes later dad comes in and eyes us warily. "So we all sorted?" He snaps and I sigh before standing up and walking over to him. "Dad, please. We talked and it's sorted, let's just move on ok?" Dad sighs and makes eye contact with me, making sure I'm ok before nodding and saying "Ok, let's move on. But before we do, Matt, this is my baby girl and if I ever see you even look at her funny ever again I'll fucking end you, got it?" Matt nods and says "Frank, I'm sorry. I know I fucked up, it was a serious lapse in judgement." Dad nods and walks over to Matt, holding his hand out and Matt shakes his hand before they lean in and hug one armed. When they pull apart I smile wide at both of them. "So we're moving on?" "Yes" they both say and when dad turns back to me Matt winks at me
and my smile grows a little wider. "Come on Ruby, you're meant to be getting lots of rest. Let's get you home." I take his hand and let him lead me towards the door. "Later Matt" dad calls out and I turn my head and wave goodbye to him. "Bye guys" Matt calls out and while dad's back is still turned to him he blows me a kiss. I smile wide and blush slightly before turning and walking out the door with dad.

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