The past never lies

Chapter 3

10 years ago-

Matt turned the ignition on and immediately the check engine light came on. He rolled his eyes, just his luck he thought. This morning has gone terrible anyway.

Matt woke up late that morning, rushed to get ready for school (thank God it's Friday) he thought multiple times this morning.

Matt's dad was in a mood already, he was downstairs pouring dark liquor in his coffee at 6:45am. Matt made a mental note to avoid his dad at all cost today. Matt stomach was growling for avoiding the kitchen and not grabbing breakfast.

Matt drove threw the fast food got a croissant and coffee with a extra shot. He keep staring down at the check engine light, it was gonna keep bothering him till he called someone to look at it.

Matt quickly ate his croissant and grabbed his coffee and raced into the school. He made it just in time for the first bell to ring.

The lunch room was crowded, but he quickly spotted Justin.

"Hey." Matt said sliding in the empty seat across from his best friend.

The blonde girl from yesterday who's name Matt finally remembered, (Renee) was sitting with her arm wrapped around Justin waist.

"My check engine light is on, and my dad was pouring bourbon in his coffee this morning." Matt said biting into his chicken sandwich.

"s**t, come stay with me tonight." Justin offered.

Matt nodded, he definitely wasn't going to stay home tonight.

"Uh, I thought we were going to the movies tonight?" Renee whined, gripping Justin's arm tighter.

Justin ignored her question as Jenny plopped down at the table in a huff.

" What's wrong?" He asked immediately with concern.

"Guy trouble." She sighed.

" What happened?" Matt said taking a bite out of sandwich again, noticing Justin's eye filled with alert.

"Brian being a d**k is all." Jenny said reaching for a carrot off Justin plate and dunking it into ranch, and Renee watching her with a glare in her eyes.

" I told you so many times you can do better then that ass." Justin said pushing his plate toward Jenny.

Matt agreed, Brian always treated Jenny flaking. One minute hot and heavy then next like she doesn't exist.

"So my check engine light is on, know anyone that can look at it after soccer?" Matt asked to no one in particular, in case anyone had good suggestions.

"Oh how about Ryder Cruz!" Jenny said her eyes brighten up.

Matt definitely had that thought cross his mind. Especially considering that last week he was pretty sure Ryder had flirted with him but then he tells himself it was just Ryder being Ryder.

"How would I find where he works?" Matt tried to ask nonchalantly like it didn't even matter.

"I'll find out, and give you a number to call after school." Jenny said, taking a bite out of Justin chicken sandwich.

Matt noticed that Justin has gotten himself out of Renee arms and had moved just a little closer to Jenny.

" Well I got to meet a friend by her locker." Renee stated, waiting for Justin to say something.

" Walk with me?" Jess said more of a demand then a question though.

Justin looked annoyed but got up and waved and left with her.

"Do we like her?" Matt asked when they were out of ear shot.

"Hey I'm a girl, so I'm not drag another girl, but honestly Justin can do better." Jenny said eating the rest of the plate he left her.

Matt showered quickly after soccer practice, and ran to his locker. He got a text from Jenny with the information about Ryder. Matt hadn't decided if he would call or not.

Matt grabbed his bag and books and headed toward his car.

He heard his phone ping, and saw a text from Logan. He sighed debating on if he would text back or not.

The message read, - Hey, wanna hang out this Sat?-

Matt stared at the message. They've been messing around for a few weeks and that was about the time he cut ties.

Matt decided not to write back and instead re-opened Jenny text and saw the number she said to text to reach Ryder Cruz.

Before Matt could stop himself, he texted the number. -Hey this is Matt my check engine light came on and a friend recommend you to check it out?-

Matt hit sent and the let out a breath. He wasn't sure what he expected, would Ryder know know it was him or think it was some random Matt.

His phone pinged and Matt grabbed it instantly.

-bring it by-

Matt read the address he didn't recognize but he knew it was in the North side. Matt started his car and put the address in his phone and headed out there.

Matt drove through the Northside for the first time. He took in how really different it looked, it looked run-down, the shops were old looking. The houses were small and worn.

About 30 minutes later her pulled into a run down auto shop

Matt got out of the car and went inside the old building, he had noticed his heart started racing.

No one was at the desk, so Matt keep walking through he saw a light on in the back office. He knocked softly.

" Yeah, coming." Ryder loud voice echoed.

Ryder opened the door, Matt quickly took in what he was wearing. A tight red tee-shirt, and black jeans. His short black hair was messy from work and he had grease marks on his arms and hand.

Ryder let a smile cross his face noticing Matt check him out.

" Thanks for looking at my car." Matt said quickly.

"Sure, it can be a late birthday present." Ryder teased.

Matt followed Ryder outside and handed him the keys.

Ryder got right to work, Matts phone rang and he walked away to answer it.

"Hi Matthew, what time are you coming home?" His mom's voice was stern.

Matt was caught off guard, they never really cared how late he's been out before something must be up.

" Staying at Justin's tonight." Matt guard was up.

" No, your brother is coming into town tonight we are going out for dinner tonight." His mom stated.

Fuck, Matt thought he instantly regretted answering his phone.

"I'm sure I'll run into him tomorrow mom." Matt said hoping to get out of this somehow.

"Be home by 7." The phone call ended.

Matt cursed under his breath.

Matt walked back over to Ryder who was leaning against the car.

"All done." He said smugly.

"Really? what was it?" Matt said surprised.

"your gas cap." Ryder said motioning them back inside the building.

Matt felt so dumb. He felt like he just wasted Ryder time.

"Sorry." Matt said once inside.

" Why, you had a problem and got it fixed seems smart to me." Ryder shrugged.

"How much do I owe you?" Matt asked pulling out his wallet.

"We're good." Ryder smiled.

" No, I wasted your time how much?" Matt insisted.

Ryder came around the desk, " How about an IOU?" He said staring into Matt's blue eyes.

Matt felt that same heat that only Ryder has ever made him feel. He wanted to take a step closer and close that remaining distance between them.

"I got your number, so when I need to cash my IOU I'll text you." Ryder breathed in that smooth voice.

Matt wondered what he meant by that, he definitely concurred that Ryder was flirting with him. And Matt was usually really good at that game but something about Ryder just made him forget how.

"I um, I have to get home." Matt said really wishing he didn't have to.

Ryder looked amused. He liked watching Matt squirm. "Sure, thanks for stopping by Weston Auto Shop." Ryder teased.

Matt nodded and turned to leave, and Ryder called out.

"See you next time Mattie."

Once Matt got outside he realized he had been holding his breath on and off in there.

Matt started his car and sure if no check engine light, so he started heading home. He was dreading this dinner more then he could explain.

Why was his brother back into town Matt wondered. His brother was six years older then him and has never made life easy on him. If anything he would go out of his way to make his life more shifty.

And the last straw was about two years ago when they ended up in a full on fist fight blackeyes and brushed ribs.

He remembered that night very well, Jenny was over celebrating her 16th birthday an that night he heard Jenny yelling in the kitchen.

Matt ran in and found Timothy holding her against the wall his hands in places they shouldn't have been.

Jenny was trying to push him off but Tim was a big guy and easily overpowered her.

Matt went crazy he grabbed him off and just started throwing punches.

"You f*****g sick ass hole she's our cousin!" Matt keep punching him until he felt Jenny pull on him.

"I think he's black out drunk." Jenny said crying hard.

"No f*****g excuse." Matt yelled ,as Tim laid covered in blood on the floor.

"I'm sorry.." He said looking at Jenny.

Matt went deeper into the memory, he really hated his brother. He told his parents that Tim needed help but they just brushed it under the rug.

" Tim's been under alot of stress with school." His mom tried defending him.

"Jenny is his cousin!" Matt yelled.

" Calm down, nothing happened." His mom dismissing the entire event.

"Because of me!" Matt yelled.

"Mom said nothing happened then nothing f*****g happened so drop it!" His dad said in a threatening tone.

Matt pulled into his house, and his brother sports car was parked in the driveway.

Matt shut the car and pulled his phone out and texted Justin.

- Be over later Tim is here-