Love in Bloom (De La Fuente Family 3)

“I’ll think about it.” Erin moved closer to Diego, reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, Diego.”

Walking back to the house, she hoped she’d get some privacy.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Late afternoon and Mateo had really had enough of Allie and her clinging. She even had the hospital staff thinking that they were an item.

No way in hell.

With a bit of luck, his brothers would tell Erin that he’d gone into town to sort out a problem with his truck instead of the actual reason. It didn’t sit well with him that he was lying to her, although he told himself it was only temporary. He’d tell her the truth once he returned. He just didn’t want her to know about it while he wasn’t there to do damage control.

He hadn’t lied to Erin last night and he really didn’t have any interest in Allie. He’d just found it difficult to walk away from her when she said she needed him. He believed her when she’d said that she had no one in town, as her brother was the only family she had left.

But sitting around outside the hospital room was boring as fuck. As he slipped his cell from his pocket, he grimaced at the lack of messages on the phone. Why hadn’t Erin messaged him? It was disappointing and if he was honest, it hurt. He hung his head and stared at the blank screen.

“She hasn’t called?” Allie asked, standing in front of him.

“No reason for her to.” He stood. “You ready to go?”

“I guess.”

Mateo glanced at Allie and tried not to let her tears get to him. After all, it was those that had caused all the trouble with Erin just as he’d decided to try the relationship thing.

“I’m hungry,” she smiled, “and I think I need to buy you lunch for coming to my rescue.”

He couldn’t do that and needed to stop being the Good Samaritan. “I’m sorry, Allie, but this is it. Your brother is out of the woods. He told you to drive the other car, which I’ve seen you do before, so I’m sure you’ll be able to manage now.”

Allie slipped her arm through his. “Mateo, you wouldn’t completely abandon a friend now, would you?”

He untangled himself and met her sad gaze. “I didn’t abandon you although we’re not friends. But I have a life, one that was just getting on track. If you keep getting in the way, it isn’t going to work. So stop doing it. I’ll drop you at home and you’ll be fine.”

Mateo smiled as he walked toward his truck knowing that he was going to head home and get his woman without any hindrance from the one following him. At least, that was the plan.

He frowned when he turned and there was no Allie. Looking around he spotted her getting into a cab and he watched in surprise as she drove past.

What the hell!

He honestly wasn’t bothered because that meant he could get home to Erin all the sooner.

“You told her,” the first thing out of his mouth as he stepped out of his truck and found Diego waiting for him.

“I wasn’t about to lie to her. I think enough of that has gone on. Don’t you?”

“Fuck…You’re right. Where’d she go?”

He was sick of this shit, and once again, he was the reason behind Erin’s upset.

“She walked back to the house. Think she went to your room.”

“How was she?”

Diego shook his head. “Asked me for a lift to the airport.” He started to move away but turned back. “You might have a chance this time, but I don’t think you’ll get another.”

He heard his brother and he sure as hell planned on not being in that situation again. He hadn’t planned on being in it to begin with.

Running up the back steps, he limped up the last one when he landed funny. He cursed. He’d forget about his knee until he was reminded when it threatened to give out on him.