Page 3 of Deceit For My Good Girl

I've never had a boyfriend before, and though Matteo wouldn't be the first one to try, I don't know how to act. Honestly, I'm just happy he's not as scared of Xander as everyone else seems to be.

That's a plus, I guess

"It takes a lot to look out for me." I say back to him, and he tightens his grip on me.

"I think I can live up to the challenge." Matteo leans forward like he's going to try to kiss me when Xander walks up behind us and bumps him with his shoulder.

"You two ever planning on getting to where we're going, or are you going to act like horn dogs in the middle of the street. You, Matteo, I know it takes a lot for you to score. But Mel, I didn't think you were such a fucking slut for attention."

Anger exploded in my body, "Xander, who the hell are you talking to like that. I'm a grown woman, and if I want to kiss all over Mateo in public, I'll do it. You don't own me, regardless of what you may think, I don't belong to the great Xander Gerard, and more so, I don't owe you any explanation. I'm not a slut, and for you to fix your mouth to say something like that to me is appalling. Is that how you talk to people you care about?"

He stares at me for a second, those chocolate brown eyes cutting right through every layer of anger and hostility I'm trying to uphold. "Yes, you do."

Looking away for a second, I try to figure out what he's talking about. Out of all the things I said, he answered with that. "What? Yes, I do what?"

"Yes, you do belong to me. I've had you since you were a little scrap of a girl. Now that you've blossomed into a full-grown woman, you think I have no say in what happens in your life? Fine, but I promise you now, these fuckboys will never be what I am to you."

"Are you sure you two aren't together?" Matteo asks loud enough for me to remember he was indeed still right here next to me.

"What are you to me?" I cross my arms and stare at Xander.

"I'm your everything. We just don't have sex." He smiles and walks off like this is a reasonable response.

I throw my hands up in the air and groan, exasperated. "Jeez, I'm getting sick and tired of his bullshit. He has such double standards. He can do whatever the hell he wants with whoever the hell he wants, and I have to be fine with it, but the minute anyone starts to show the tiniest bit of attention to me, I'm a slut. It's annoying," I complain to Matteo.

"Did you ever find out if he likes you more than what he's saying? Maybe that's why he acts like this?" Matteo and I start walking again.

"No, he doesn't. Honestly, we've been with each other basically every day since elementary school. He'd spend summer vacation sleeping over at my house. He told me about the first girl he slept with. He was there when I lost my mother. He's honestly like the big brother I never wanted but now can't live without. He's a really good friend, but occasionally, he takes his protection detail a little too seriously."

I stop walking and pull Matteo to a stop with me. Looking up into his bright blue eyes and curly blond hair, I can't help but smile. His face is so homely looking.

I could picture him on a farm somewhere with a piece of hay sticking out the corner of his mouth. He'd roll up his sleeves and hammer down fences, so the sheep wouldn't get out. He's precisely the kind of guy I should be going for. I mean, if I'm ever going to lose my virginity, I guess it should be with a man with some morals. Xander can't fault me for that. After all, he hasn't been a virgin in years.

"How about we hit the restaurant a little early? If you want to go right now, I don't need to change."

Matteo's eyes widen, and he nods with enthusiasm, "Yeah, that'd be great. What about him?” He gestures with his head in Xander's direction.

"He can take my books home. As I said, I'm grown. I can do whatever the hell I want to do." With a shrug, I grab hold of Matteo's hand, walking faster now, so we can catch up to Xander.

"Hey, Xander. Can you do me a favor?" I call out for him, and he stops.

"What?"

"Can you take my books home for me? I'm going with Matteo now. No need for me to go all the way home to drop these off."

Xander's eyes turn a deeper brown color, and I see the muscle on the side of his face twitching.

"What the hell do I look like, your fucking pack mule?" He snaps out at me.

"No, you look like my friend who wants me to have a good time and is sensible enough to know this would be a nice thing to do for someone you supposedly care about. Am I wrong?"

"Yeah, there's nothing sensible about me." He glares at me for a second before he puts his hand out for my books.

"Thanks!" I reach up and kiss him on the cheek and turn to stand next to Matteo.

"Hey, Matty boy, keep your damn hands, mouth, and dick to yourself. If I hear any different, I'll make sure you figure out first hand how all of those body parts fit together." Xander smiles at him and turns to walk away. "Mel, keep your fucking phone on." He yells at me over his shoulder. When I look back at Matteo, his face is a little pale, and he's staring at me like I'm a witch or something.

"Did he threaten me?"

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