Matching All the Way

by Veronica Eden

To all of us with ADHD who live in what I like to call organized chaos that only makes sense to us, between two times: not right now and RIGHT NOW, hyperfixation, and jump from hobby to hobby… And to finding the right person who sees you, supports you, and takes excellent care of your praise kink.

What is it about the end of the year that seems to make everything fall apart? The rest of the time I feel like I have everything under control, then as soon as September hits an impending sense of anxiety builds a cozy little cabin in my chest. By the time it’s November I realize no, in fact, I don’t have it together and I’m out of time to change that.

First, I managed to leave for work without the emotional support water bottle I take everywhere.

The thought of anything dimming the lively spark I’ve always admired in her makes something tighten in my chest.

Lusting after the head coach’s daughter is top of the list of Things Not To Do.

He cocks his head with a slight smirk. “We can stand here and argue about it if you want, but this still ends the same way. Not accepting no for an answer, Evie. Let me take you.” A buzzing rush of warmth moves through me at the firm yet considerate tone he uses while teasing me. “If you’re sure you’re not busy.” “I’m never too busy for you.”

“Forget that. Obviously Mr. Darcy and every other fictional man are the standard, but they don’t exist,” Caroline says. We all echo her with our woes that the fictional men we love aren’t real.

“You were dressed as a mushroom fairy.” “I—yeah,” I stammer in astonishment. “I made the costume myself. You remember that?” “I’ll always remember that.”

Was she always this much of a temptation? Her laughter and smiles made my chest feel funny, but now whenever she’s around it’s like she’s the sun in the room. And I’m a planet that doesn’t know how to fight the pull of her orbit. She’s all I’m able to look at.

“You can do anything.” The pink flush in her cheeks darkens and her pretty amber eyes grow large. “You think so?” “Yes. In all the years I’ve known you as we grew up, I’ve seen what you’re capable of when you put your mind to something.” “Thank you,” she murmurs. “That means a lot to me.” “I’m in your corner,” I promise. “I wouldn’t be your friend if I wasn’t.”

“Are you sure you don’t want anything else, Evie?” You. Not on the menu, unfortunately.

Real

unfortunately I need to make money to live. Who decided that? Rude.

Too real

I’ve fought my need for her all night until I couldn’t any longer. And now that I’ve had a taste? It’s official. I’m fucked.

I wanted to kiss you all damn night. I still want to. I can’t stop thinking about it.

“Why didn’t you say anything while I was jumping around freaking out?” I cover my flaming face. “Because you’re cute when you’re excited. I wanted to be your first order.” He gives me a dimpled smile while slipping his phone in his back pocket. “I had to support you.”

She peers up at me while I zip it for her, hands lingering when it hits me she’s wearing my name. If she turns around, I’ll see Assistant Coach Kincaid across her back. Possessiveness burns in my chest. I curl my fingers into my palms to stop myself from pulling her into me the way I want to right now. Because wearing my name makes her look like she’s mine.

I fear I’ll never work her out of my system because the more I’m around her, the more she draws me in.

I like this. I like her. Being with her, even when I can’t do more than hold her hand. Taking care of her. Having her lean on me.

Eve’s the one I see myself opening up to about the big unsettling stuff that falls on our shoulders as we figure life out the way she has with me. Being her sounding board and listening when she talks herself in circles to explain the unimaginable amount of thoughts running through her head stirs a warm and grounded feeling wrapped around my heart. It’s something I want to hold on to.

“I’ll be everything for you, sweetheart. Every fantasy. Every dream. Whatever you need, I want to be it.”