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I nod, peering at him from under my lashes. He blinks several time. I can see conflicting emotions pass over his handsome features, but I don’t know Mateo enough to decrypt them. He lets out a harsh, ‘fuck!’, then lifts me to set me on the passenger side. Like I weight nothing. Even through the haze of the last intense minutes, I’m shocked by his strength and the fluidity of his movements.
Matt climbs fully into the car, closes his door, and turns to face me.
“How old are you?” I’m not exactly sure why but his voice is strained, like he’s afraid of what my answer’s going to be.
“I’m… I’m eighteen.”
I watch in fascination as his jaw tightens and works, a muscle jumping in his cheek. “Who fucking sent you?” he finally grits out between clenched teeth.
“what? No one! I was just-”
He interrupts me, “hanging out with your invisible friends, yeah.” His somber eyes are throwing daggers as he leans into me, thunderous. “My fucking dream girl just appears at a party where I’m doing a drop. How fucking convenient. Are you with the cops? The school?”
“I’m not with anyone, Matt! Please, listen to me-”
He leans closer into my side of the car and I don’t move by an inch. Just stare in complete shock. I have no idea what he’s talking about! I’m not even scared by his fury. And God know I should be. He’s like a fucking dragon breathing fire.
“Matt,” I try again. But I’m only met by silence, except for the click of the seat-belt he just fastened around me in quick, efficient movements.
He does the same for himself and brings the powerful engine to life.
“Where are we going?” I chance asking.
Still no answer. Just the streetlight carving his sharp features in the shadows. That cut jaw, those cheekbones, the knot at his thick eyebrows. He’s looks like Zeus ready to throw lightning down on earth.
I try to take stock of the situation. A lot happened tonight between us. All of it intense, borderline scary. It’s normal for one of us to panic at some point, right? The weirdest part is that I’m not afraid. The scolding waves of anger flowing from Mateo worry me for him, for us, but I have no fear from my well-being with this man. My mind and body can still conjure the ghost of his soft kisses, the press of his hands, his tongue, and lips. The way he looked at me before this point, held me like I was the most precious thing in the world. In his world. I can’t let this turn of event wipe away all of that.
While my mind is in shambles, I don’t realize which direction he takes until the car turns on the street, tires squealing. Then abruptly brakes in front of the Frat House, mighty engine still roaring. He abruptly opens his door and walks around to mine. Briskly opens it, bends at the waist to undo my seatbelt in one swift click, and grabs me by the forearm to pull me out.
I stand next to the car, shocked by his actions.
“Matt?” I ask with deep worry.
He leans into me, bringing his face close enough to kiss, but all his coal dark eyes reflect is fury.
“I don’t know who the fuck sent you, but you can tell them, Mateo Romano is not going down that easy.”
I shake my head, dumbfounded. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.” My eyes well up with tears. How did things take such a horrible turn?
“Get the fuck back inside, find your friends or whoever you’re here with. And I better never lay eyes on your lying ass again!” When I just stand there staring at him, staggered, he barks, “no!”, startling me. And I jump into action, scurrying to the two-story building.
I look over my shoulder just to catch Mateo’s powerful car blasts off into the night. What the hell happened?!
7
PRESENT DAY - Zina
I stare into Mateo’s soulful dark eyes, unable to repress the huge smile that’s taken over my face. Shaking my head, I let out a small laugh.
“How are you?”
He squeezes my hand. “I’m good. Great, now.” His grin is devastatingly handsome. “Been dreading and wishing for this for a long time.”
“Yeah?”
We’re standing in the middle of the busy hotel lobby. Mateo towering over me by a good foot, looking down fondly into my face. My head turned up to meet his overwhelming gaze. There are so many emotions coursing through my mind, body, and heart. And I see them all reflected in him. Happiness, relief, excitement. A fucking blazing fire, like he’s ready to maul me right here and now without any fucks given to the people around us. But there’s something else there, too… guilt. I can see it clear as day. And I can only pray that means he knows he messed up all those years ago, and that he’s ready to make things right.
8
