matimatiiperez
“So were you, I saw you out there. You took that hit like a champ,” Mati grinned. Despite being five nothing, and smaller than over 95% of the crowd, Kat wasn’t afraid to be in the middle of the action. In fact, she sought it out. Almost more than he ever did. Mati lightly brushed at the forming bruise with his fingertip just as she plucked the letter from his hand. He watched as her eyes scanned over the cramped handwriting, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, he still couldn’t believe it either. Years worth of letters filled an entire lockbox filled with bank statements and other documents like social security cards and birth certificates.
When a frown crossed her face, Mati paused. Excitement waited on hold. Maybe she noticed something she didn’t in between those lines. A lack of sincerity, apathy, or manipulation. He wasn’t sure. Mati frowned when she looked up at him.“Is this a joke? This is my roommate. You know that, right?”
Mati blinked. Roommate. She had two. He saw them occasionally in passing, but never really long enough to be introduced. He shook his head lightly. “Lots of people in New York, Samuel isn’t exactly uncommon, and I’m sure there’s a lot of Bautistas,” he shrugged, and lightly took the letter from her, “I have to look into the original address more. See if I can find some sort of white pages record or something.”
Her face felt warm when his fingers grazed against her cheek. It hurt to touch but she didn’t mind when it was Mati. A warm honey-like sensation flowed through her as she positioned her body to face him completely. She wanted to wave the injury off. His hand managed to short-circuit her brain like it always did. Instead of a clever retort, she blinked at him and handed the crumpled paper back. There were a few clicks in the background. The next band was already set up as their drummer clicked his sticks together. The steady beat of the drum filled the room as she wrapped her hand around his thin wrist.
With a steady tug, Kat pulled him out back, whirling past any security and fan to guide them to the alleyway. The cold air tore down her throat as she breathed in slowly. Fuck, she could hear him better out here. Her gaze softened as she looked up at him. “Oh yeah? Find that address and pay a visit to me. I always thought you two looked alike.” Her tongue felt thick in her mouth. “You know, my brother is technically my half brother. I’m pretty sure my mom was pulling the same stunts she did when I was a kid. She fucked everyone in that stupid town and I bet convinced my dad that it was his. Robbie looks nothing like my dad, but I’m pretty sure everyone knows his real dad. It was some guy that came around often. I think he used to be my dad’s friend.”
Kat shrugged as she reached into her bag. She plucked out a cigarette. “Maybe, that’s why my mama liked Robbie more. He wasn’t my dad’s and she didn’t feel bitter. Anyway, I guess I’m just trying to say that it’s a good thing. Having a sibling and all. It’s cool to see the person your dad actually loved.” The cigarette pressed to her lips as she held out her pack for him. It wasn’t menthol. He could deal anyway.
















