Saying goodbye to Matt to call Lisa back

back,” she replied with a small nod, grabbing her clutch from the floor.

“Her son… is that the one living with you?” His brow lifted as he leaned a little further onto one elbow.

“Yeah, Aiden. He’s going to college out here, so it just worked out,” she answered as she did the strap of her heel, not wanting to look directly at him.

“That’s kind of a big thing to take on, isn’t it? Letting someone’s son move in?”

“It’s temporary, and he’s a good kid. Easy enough to live with.” She straightened, checking her dress to make sure she’d tied it back in place properly and that nothing was showing that shouldn’t.

“You’re a better friend than most. I don’t think I could do that.” He gave a faint shake of his head, watching her closely.

“Well, Lisa’s done a lot for me over the years. It was the least I could do in return,” she said, having made her way over to grab her other heel.

“Well, she’s lucky to have you. Sounds like he is too.”

Natalie paused, fastening the strap carefully before glancing back at him. “It’s not really like that. It’s just… life. People help each other out.”

“Still,” Matt said with a small shrug, “doesn’t change the fact that you’re the one who sounds like you let a near stranger move in with her to help him and a friend out.”

“You make it sound like more than it is,” she said, trying to downplay the situation and running a hand through her hair to tame it. “Trust me, it’s not. It’s just conflicting schedules and a crowded apartment.”

“Well, if she’s calling this late, it must matter to her. You should call her back.”

Natalie gripped her phone and adjusted her clutch under her arm. She caught the way he was looking at her with an air of what could’ve been understanding, and for a moment it caused a wave of guilt to wash through her.

Matt swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Let me walk you out.”

“You don’t have to,” she said quickly, tucking her phone into her clutch. “I’m parked just outside. You don’t need to get dressed for that.”

He stood anyway, unconcerned about his nudity as he followed her through the room. “That’s not the point. I’d feel better if I at least walked you to the door.”

Natalie gave a small smile, shaking her head as she wiggled her feet in her heels, trying to get them into a comfortable spot. “You’re too sweet.”

“Well, I’m not going to argue a compliment,” he smirked, reaching to squeeze her hand as she passed him in the doorway.

She let him weave his fingers into hers for the short walk down the hall and toward the front of the house. At the door, she stopped, turning back to face him.

“Really,” she said softly, “thank you for tonight.”

Matt’s expression eased, his other hand coming up to brush a thumb over her cheek. “You sure you’re all right?”

“Yeah,” she whispered, forcing another smile.

He kissed her gently, not drawing it out, then pulled the door open for her. The cool night air rushed in, brushing across her legs before she even stepped outside.

Her heels bit into the gravel as she crossed to her car. She glanced back once to find him still standing nude in the doorway, watching her go without an ounce of self-consciousness. She gave him a small wave before lowering herself into the driver’s seat.

The door stayed cracked open at her side with one leg hanging out. Having retrieved her phone from, she set the clutch in her lap, and sat like that for a moment, staring at the steering wheel. With a deep sigh, she tapped Lisa’s name.

The phone barely rang before she picked up.

“Hey,” Lisa’s voice came through, sounding worried. “Sorry again to bug you. I just… I can always tell when something’s going on.”

“No, I get it,” Natalie said, leaning back into the seat. Her head rested against the cushion, closing her eyes for a second. “He’s good, I promise. I think he’s just in his head a little. Probably midterms, and I’m sure living outside the dorms is still weird. It’s the first time he’s away from most of the friends he’s made. And I’d think he’s probably missing home, too.”

“I don’t know,” Lisa sighed. “He said everything was fine, but I could hear it. He doesn’t always talk, but he’s never been good at hiding things from me.”

“He’s been great, honestly,” Natalie said, keeping her voice even. “The only thing I’ve noticed is that he’s been a little quieter than usual the last few days. But we’ve both had a lot going on.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Lisa said after a pause. “I don’t know anyone else I’d trust with him like this.”

Her grip on the wheel grew tighter as she thumped at it, thinking to herself, You shouldn’t trust me at all.

“I’ll keep an eye on him,” she managed, trying to stay as calm sounding as she could.

“Thank you,” Lisa murmured. “I think that’s all I needed to hear.”

Natalie nodded, even though Lisa couldn’t see it. “I’ll call you if anything comes up.”

“Okay. Get some rest. I’m sorry again for bothering you.”

“You’re never bothering me.”

Ending the call, she sat in the car in silence, collecting herself. Natalie dropped the phone into her lap, staring straight ahead at the dim glow of the streetlamps in Matt’s neighborhood. Her butt still stung where his hands came down on it. When she’d cum, she wasn’t even sure she could say it was from him.

She leaned back in the seat, taking a second to gather her thoughts. Matt had been good to her throughout dinner. The way he listened to her, and even the way he looked at her, seemingly should’ve been enough.

Natalie let out a sigh, resting her head against the headrest. She knew she needed to start the car, head home, and just crawl into bed, but why couldn’t she just get moving? She rubbed at her temples as though she could make all of her recent thoughts go away. Taking a second to try to relax, she set her hands on the wheel once more. The sensation snapped her back, reminding her she was still sitting in his driveway, where he could be watching her from the window, seeing her have a mini breakdown.

With a flick of her hand, she tossed the phone onto the passenger seat, where it landed with a muted thud. Her clutch followed after it, also tossed aside without care. Natalie turned the key, and eased out of the driveway. The street opened ahead of her, with familiar turns carrying her back toward home.

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