Page 4 of Deceit For My Good Girl

"Nah, he's just trying to play bad." I joke and bite the corner of my lip. If he knew how many boys Xander had beaten up when they tried to mess with me, he'd never go out with me.

* * *

“Oh, my god, that had to be the best Cuban food I've ever had in my life.” I hang my head back as we walk down 124th street in the direction of my apartment.

"Tell me about it. I love going there. I even order take-out sometimes when I can. College student here, so I don't have much money." He jokes.

"Yeah, I hear you." I push my hair behind my ear. "We're in the same boat, remember."

"Huh, yeah, right. There's no way you're a poor college student like me. You're one of the few people in Columbia with your own apartment, a car, and access to all the amenities you could wish for."

"We're not rich. Besides, most of it is Xander's anyway. His parents set him up. We don't need a car in New York, but he enjoys having it. He says it makes getting out of this tourist-infested area much faster."

"Ah, well, maybe that's why he acts like such a jerk so much. He's got the funds, so he thinks he can do whatever he wants." Matteo shrugs, and even though it's an accurate assumption, it bothers me he thinks he can talk bad about my best friend to me.

Xander may be an asshole, but he's the only one who's taken care of me. He may be a bit rough around the edges, but he's always been there.

"Nah, he's not like that. The boy would give you the shirt off his back if he needed to."

"Whatever, I don't want to talk about Xander. Let's talk more about you," Matteo says, grabbing hold of my arm and slowing my stroll. I look around the area, and though we were close to the school, we're also in the middle of what could be considered one of the worse neighborhoods in Harlem.

"We can talk more at the house," I tell him and try to push away.

"Nah, not with Xander, the cock block, up there." He jokes and pushes me towards one of the back walls.

"Cock block?" I raise an eyebrow at him.

How the hell can Xander be a cock block if I'm not interested in his cock? I don't want Matteo to get the wrong idea. Sure, I think he's hot, and maybe down the line, I'd be willing to let the man deflower me. Right now, I just want to go to bed after a nice dinner.

"No, he's not," I say, getting more and more uncomfortable as the seconds pass. "Let's just keep on going."

He leans his head down to get closer to me, "Don't tell me you're shy now. I mean, people do this all the time. You said you were having a good time at dinner, right?" He presses himself against me, so I can't move from where I am on the wall.

"Yes, I was having a good time, but I'm not really into groping and stuff outdoors. PDA just isn't my thing."

"I can show you what kind of things you'll like. Trust me, Mel. I want to make it so good for you." He leans down and tries to kiss me, but I shove his face away. "I said no, eww. I'm going home." He backs off a bit, and I start walking in the direction of my off-campus apartment.

"Aww, wait, come on, Mel. I was just playing with you." Matteo rushes to keep up with me, but I no longer have anything to say. I should have listened to Xander. "Don't be like that."

A man walks on the sidewalk in our direction and bumps into Matteo hard, who in turn bumps into me.

"Hey bro, what the hell is your problem?" Matteo asks.

"Both of you, walk in there." The man in front of us pulls out a gun and points it in our direction.

"Oh shit.” I squeak, but my body immediately freezes in fright.

"I said fucking move!" The man screams at us to back up into an alley. It's so dark in this part of town, I know for sure no one will be able to see what's going on.

"Look, man, this is all we have. Take what you want, just don't fucking shoot." I hear Matteo talking and realize it sounds like he's crying. Is this bastard crying for his life?

"Give me your fucking wallet! And your purse! I want it all!" The man with the gun says, and I see his eyes darting from side to side, as if he is waiting for someone to come out and catch him.

"Okay, can I take my ID out?" I ask, knowing I'm not going to be able to get any of my things back unless I have some ID.

"Don't be a fucking twat. Just give him the whole damn purse!" Matteo snatches my bag out of my hand and shoves it at the robber. He then reaches into his pocket and takes out his wallet.

"Give me the jewelry, too. That shit around your neck."

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