Undeveloped (Life Unfiltered Book 1)

by K Leigh

  “I’ll meet you downstairs.” I move back so he can hop down, watching as he loads up all of our bags and grabs the keys.

  After brushing my teeth and putting my phone and charger in my purse, I make my way down the hall to the elevator.

  When I get to the car, there’s no sign of Matt, but he had left it unlocked, so I toss my purse in and take a seat.

  It feels weird to be alone after spending the past two days with Matt. And before that, every free moment of time we had, was spent together. If he hadn’t just gotten his freedom from his family, it could have been completely different. Hell, if he had a different family altogether, we may not have felt an attraction to each other at all.

  My phone buzzes on the dash. As I consider not answering, it vibrates until it falls to the floorboard with a clunk. Shit.

  Reaching down, I grab it, brushing off the screen and checking for cracks. No damage seems to be done.

  “Kate?” I say when I answer.

  “Nat.” Kate’s breathless voice sends a rush of sadness through me. What kind of best friend am I? It’s our last summer together and I ran away with a guy I’ve known for next to no time.

  “Kate, I miss you,” I say. “How are you?” I ache to spill my experience from the night before, but I don’t want to focus on me when she sounds so upset.

  “I’m okay. Listen…” The hesitancy in her voice worries me. Kate has never been one to hold back.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You just… can you come back to camp, please?” she begs.

  “We’re coming back the day after tomorrow,” I reply, attempting to reassure her. I can’t blame her for being worried that I might bail on the celebration.

  “No, I think you need to come now,” she whispers.

  Her strange behavior gives me goosebumps. “What? No, we have to go to the wedding. Quit messin’ around, Kate.”

  “I can’t…” Kate trails off.

  The chattering of her girls returning to the cabin fills my ears, and a pang of homesickness nearly doubles me over.

  “Just trust me, Nat. Come back. Like, yesterday.”

  She hangs up without saying goodbye, and I do my best to push aside my concern. I’m just enjoying a few days of freedom. What could be such a big deal?

  Matt still hasn’t returned to the car, so I decide to go look for him rather than wait around. Walking around the outside of the motel, I pass the fenced-in pool and a playground. Both are empty. No doubt, any kid staying at the motel is impatiently waiting to go swimming.

  Matt’s voice reaches my ears as I make it to the end of the building. Peeking around the corner, I find him pacing back and forth, holding his phone to his ear with one hand and waving at each syllable with the other.

  “Mom, it’s not. I’ll come home at the end of camp, just like I promised. We can discuss things more then.”

  The muffled cynical tones of Matt’s mother are unintelligible, but her mood is clear. A huff comes through the phone so loud that Matt has to move the phone away for a moment before answering her.

  “I swear, I’ll come back. It’s just a break. Everything can go back to normal. I just need some freedom.” Matt leans against the wall, knocking his head back with a loud thunk.

  A break? Back to normal?

  That’s not quite the story he had told me. Then again, maybe he’s just placating his mom. I’m sure his family’s funding this excursion we’re on.

  “I’ll talk to you in a few days,” Matt says.

  Deciding it’d be better for him not to find me eavesdropping, I take a few giant steps back and begin walking calmly toward him again.

  “Hey, you.” I smile as he comes around the corner. “I was wondering where you were.”

  “Mom wanted to talk for a few minutes.” He takes me in his arms, burying his face in my hair and holding me tightly in his arms. Almost as if he doesn’t want to let me go.

  “God, you smell good.” Stepping back, he watches me for a moment. “I can’t wait to see the dress you picked out.”

  “Let’s get moving, then.”

  When Matt asked me to be his wedding date, I didn’t quite grasp what all that entailed.

  That’s how I find myself dressing alone in my hotel suite, feeling breathless with nerves and annoyed at the food basket on my table. Filled to the brim with candies, snacks, fruit, and other goodies, it’s arranged perfectly.

  And I’m not.

  My hair seems redder than ever before, and the jewelry I had begrudgingly picked out from a selection Matt had sent in here, glints at me from beside the basket.

  I’m not perfect. I’m not some rare jewel. I feel like a random rock he picked up by the creek. Cute? Sure. Interesting? Maybe. But not something you’d dive to the ocean’s depths for.

  With a frustrated growl, I toss my brush and the pearl encrusted hair combs on the vanity. To hell with it. I’ll wear my hair down, flowing freely. I’ll be more comfortable that way, instead of fidgeting with my appearance all afternoon.

  When I zip up the dress I’ve kept hidden from Matt all this time, I can’t help but imagine him slipping me out of it later tonight. Our night together was better than I had ever imagined my first time could be. I still haven’t had a chance to catch up with Kate about it, but I plan to call her after the wedding.

  The prospect of seeing Matt’s parents again, of entering his world now after we’ve spent so long in mine, makes me want to run away screaming. But I feel like after last night, we’re on the same page and he’s chosen me. That’s all that matters, that we chose each other.

  At the low knock on the door, I double-check my reflection, smoothing my hand over the silky material before calling for Matt to come in.

  “Oh my gosh, don’t you look darling.” The shrill voice that pierces the room doesn’t belong to Matt, but instead, to a statuesque blonde in a strapless neon green dress and a tiara.

  “Thank you.” I give my new visitor a small smile, reminding myself to check who’s at the door before just letting them in. “I’m Natalie.”

  “Oh, the famous Natalie. I’ve heard all about you.” Her pink lips remind me of bubble gum as they spread into a nasty grin. “I’m Antoinette.”

  “Nice to meet you.” I offer a smile, wracking my memory for a mention of the name but not finding one.

  “Pleasure.” Her disdainful gaze travels over me, eyes flashing dangerously as they raise to search my face. As she lingers on the necklace Matt gave me, her lips twist into an unhappy snarl. I suddenly feel out of place in my clearance rack dress and borrowed jewelry.

  “I’m the maid of honor today.” She steps to the right, then proceeds to circle around me. “And you’re Prescott’s date, correct?” Her nasty tone wraps around the word date as if it’s a curse word.

  “Matt’s date, yes.” She says his first name like she knows him, a familiarity on her tongue that sends chills down my spine.

  Her predatory stance as she comes to a stop between the door and me is no accident. But I can’t see a girl like her physically attacking me. She’s probably all talk.

  “Or should I say whore?” she hisses.

  My door opens again, nearly knocking Antoinette over as Matt enters the room.

  His tux fits him like a glove, hugging every line and curve of his arms and legs. His hair is combed over and gelled, something I’ve never witnessed, but a sight I could really get used to.

  When our eyes meet, the current between us reignites, and I have to remind myself to breathe as the memory of him moving in and out of me drowns out everything around us. The vulnerability I feel while staring into his eyes—just like I had in that moment—is multiplied by a thousand with Antoinette’s words still lingering in the room.

  “Prescott.” Antoinette emerges from behind the door and sashays over to stand beside him. No matter how many times I hear his first name, it’s hard to resist the urge to laugh.

  Matt turns at her voice, his face paling at the sight of her. I don
’t blame him, she does seem horrific. But the look on his face is one of familiar disdain. When you’ve been around people enough, you can start to read them. So when his spine stiffens and his shoulders pull back and away from her, I know this isn’t going to be good.

  “Antoinette,” he replies, his voice hoarse. “Nice to see you again.”

  “Pleasure is all mine, darling. I’ll see you at the wedding. You kids have fun.” She shoots me a cheeky wink before slamming the door behind her.

  “I thought it was you knocking on the door, so I just automatically invited her in.” The room still seems tense after my mysterious visitor leaves. “Who is she?”

  “Oh, Antoinette? She’s in the wedding party.” He rolls his eyes. “Notice the tiara? She’s quite the diva. Everyone has heard I brought someone new as a date, so I guess she had to come scope out the details.” His eyes roam over me again. “You’re breathtaking. Ready to go down?”

  24

  Natalie

  Past

  If nothing else, the wedding was beautiful…

  “It’s so beautiful,” I whisper as we enter the chapel of the hotel. Spinning slowly, I take in the tulle and bows strung throughout the area. Bouquets of real flowers decorate every surface and a breathtaking arch strung with lights beams from the end of the aisle.

  “It is,” Matt agrees, nudging me with his hip. “Not as beautiful as you, of course.” He presses a kiss to my forehead just as the familiar sound of a shutter clicks.

  We both look over and Matt’s harsh tone catches me off guard. “Get out of here.” He snaps his fingers in the air and two uniformed men come running. “Escort this gentleman off the property, please. No paparazzi were to be admitted.”

  “Yes, Mr. Rochester.”

  The reporter goes willing, calling over his shoulder, “Any comments on engagement rumors, Mr. Rochester? Who’s your mystery lady?”

  My smile cracks at the mention of the engagement, but before I can say anything to Matt about it, we’re interrupted.

  “I see you’ve already stirred up a fuss,” Matt’s father says as he approaches us. I didn’t notice at camp, but with both of them dressed similarly and their hair combed the same way, I imagine Matt will look very much like his father when he ages.

  “I thought they’d be paying closer attention to who was allowed in,” Matt replies stiffly.

  “Yes, so did I.” Prescott’s scathing look in my direction doesn’t escape me, but Matt is still watching security and doesn’t seem to notice.

  I dig my heels in, refusing to be bullied. I may not be socially or financially on the level as some of these people, but I have more decency and respect for people than they’ll ever have. A quote from Eleanor Roosevelt pops into my mind as their voices fade to the background.

  No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

  By the time we return to my room, my feet are aching from dancing the night away in Matt’s arms. Once I put my big girl britches on and quit worrying about what his family thought of me, we had a great time. I ignored their dirty looks as we slow danced, Matt singing the cheesy lyrics softly in my ear.

  For the first time in our relationship, I allowed myself to dream. Until the moment I was wrapped in his arms, surrounded by his world, I hadn’t considered the possibility of a future together. But now, with our worlds molding into one, the possibility is something I can’t get off my mind.

  “Don’t go,” I mumble into the pillows I had collapsed in after he unzipped me from my dress. “Just sleep naked.”

  “I’ll be back in no time.” He stops and places a series of kisses to my back. “I’m going to move all my stuff in here, so we don’t have to leave this bed for the next twenty-four hours.” Glancing over my shoulder, I see him hanging my dress up on the hanger.

  “Okay, fine,” I agree. “But I’ll be right here. In my underwear. Waiting on you.”

  He grins one last time and leaves the room, locking the door behind him. It’s all I can do to keep my eyes open, but I want another taste of the exhilaration I felt last night. We might not have another chance to get close for a while, and twice just wasn’t enough.

  It seems like I’ve been waiting forever, dozing off several times and shaking myself awake. Finally, I drag myself off the bed and wrap the soft, cotton robe the hotel provided around me. Grabbing my room key, I slip out to sneak up on Matt.

  To my surprise, his door is cracked open. I slip inside, preparing to tackle him, but instead, find the room empty.

  The contents of his suitcase have been scattered across the bed and his briefcase is tossed across the dresser as if he were searching for something. A quick glance into the bathroom reveals it’s empty as well, and I realize he must’ve gone down to grab snacks before coming to my room.

  Turning to go, the papers on his dresser catch my eye as my own name stands out to me. After a silent battle with myself about whether or not to look, my curiosity wins, and I pick up the sheet to get a better look.

  My own gasp startles me in the empty room. All of my information is listed on this page and several of the others in the pile. Name, address, schools attended, colleges I’ve applied to, family and relationship information.

  Matt ran a background check on me.

  If I weren’t so infuriated, I would be sad. I would’ve told him anything he wanted to know about me if he’d only asked. I thought he knew the majority in the first place. With shaking hands, I replace the papers, hurrying out of his room and taking care to leave the door ajar.

  As I step out into the hallway, I find myself face-to-face with Antoinette, fresh makeup applied and perfume so strong that it nearly knocks me over.

  “Natalie,” she greets me, as if we’re old friends. Her eyes are bleary with the alcohol she had at the wedding. Apparently, the rich aren’t subject to drinking ages. “Have you lost your ticket?” She giggles, an obnoxious hiccup escaping between her laughter. “You’re about to, anyhow.”

  The combination of what I found in Matt’s room and her smug remarks are all my nerves can take tonight. “What the hell is your problem with me? We’ve never even met before.”

  “I don’t have a problem with you. You’re just another floozy on Prescott’s arm until we marry.”

  I wince at her words, and she laughs softly.

  “Oh, did you think you were the only one? Sorry, darling. You’ve got a temporary ticket, but I’ve got the lifetime pass.”

  As she talks, the truth of her words washes over me. “You’re Sabrina’s cousin.”

  “Ding, ding, ding. Don’t let anyone tell you that your upbringing made you completely dumb. Naive, maybe, but there’s a light flickering somewhere in that attic.”

  Clenching my fist, I realize why Teddy always got into fights as a teen. The idea of hitting Antoinette Cunningham is stronger than anything I’ve ever felt, but I resist.

  She’s not worth the trouble it’ll cause me.

  I can’t spend another moment with these people, feeling so smothered and trapped. How has Matt lived his whole life like this?

  Snatching the earrings and necklace off me, I take Antoinette’s hand and place them in her palm. “Good luck on your ride. I’m jumping off this crazy train.”

  I pack up my suitcase, leaving behind anything Matt bought me, and walk to the nearest bus station. I take a Greyhound home to Branch Key, calling my brother on the way. He’s waiting for me at the station when I get there.

  The amazing brother that he is, he takes me to get food right away.

  “You slept with this dude?” He talks around his burrito, eyes wide.

  “I know.” I nibble at my own food, chewing it out of habit more than enthusiasm. “Should’ve just slept with Connor.”

  “No you shouldn’t have.” Teddy presses his lips into a firm line. “Turns out he slept with three cheerleaders right before leaving. They all got syphilis.”

  “Oh, shit.” The realization that he had cheated should hurt me more than it does,
but I barely twinge at the truth. “At least Matt wore a condom.”

  “Nat, we all make choices. Not all of them turn out to be right or wrong. Some of them just…are.”

  I let his words wash over me and we sit in silence for the rest of our meal. As we clean up our mess, he says, “So, are you coming home?”

  “I had planned to,” I reply. “But I’m not letting my last summer at camp be ruined. Will you take me back to Shady Grove?” It feels like ages since I left my summer haven.

  “Sure thing. And we don’t have to ever talk about this again unless you want to.” He mimics locking his lips and throwing the key out the window.

  I sleep most of the drive, waking when we hit the gravel road to Shady Grove. Shaking off my sleep while he parks, I look over to my brother. “Thank you, Teddy.”

  “No problemo. Now, I gotta get back to my extremely pregnant wife.”

  “I can’t wait to meet my niece.” I sigh. “Have y’all picked a name yet?”

  “Amelia.” Teddy’s chest puffs out. “Amelia Rose.”

  “Teddy! No way,” I exclaim. “You’re naming her after Mom and me?”

  “Of course. She ought to be named after two of the strongest women in her life. Vi doesn’t want to name her after herself.” He pauses and gives me a reassuring smile. “Now, go enjoy your last few days here. Forget about that douchebag, then come home and help me take care of my baby.”

  “Deal. Love you.” We lean over the console to hug each other.

  “Right back atcha,” he says.

  I can’t go back to my room. I don’t want to be anywhere where Matt has been with me.

  Part of me already regrets leaving without demanding an explanation. What happened to the Natalie that threw Connor’s ring at him? The girl that took a stand for herself? Evidently, some rich boy with a fancy camera destroyed all sight of her.

  I hate letting myself think that Matt and I didn’t mean anything, but it’s deeper than black and white or right and wrong. Now, I’m just too tired to worry about it.