It doesn’t escape me that this is the first time we’ve kissed in a non-sexual way, and I know this should frighten me, but be it the alcohol in my system or the odd sense of rage I feel for whatever it is Robbie did to Mateo, it doesn’t. At all. In fact, kissing him has never felt so right.
The world around us disappears—the music, the people, the way Ishouldfeel toward him—until it’s just us, Mateo and Travis. I’m not sure how long we stand there, swaying in each other’s arms, making out in the middle of this makeshift ballroom, but when we pull away, my head is dizzy and my lips are swollen. I meet Mateo’s gaze dazedly, and the music and the people all come rushing back.
“Well, that was a first,” he says with a small chuckle, which I return with one of my own.
“Like I said, it’s the least I could do.”
We pull apart, but only fractionally.
“If I didn’t know any better,cariño, I’d say you’re starting to actually like me.” His smirk is flirty and sultry, and it makes my stomach do a somersault.
I roll my eyes. “But you do know better.”
The grin only grows with that, like he knows just how full of shit I am. We watch each other, swaying to the song, the moment feeling monumental in a way. Like it’s shifting something between us. And I don’t know how I feel about that, to be honest. Mateo’s endless green eyes bore into mine, his features softening as he takes me in. I feel like I’m seeing another new side of him in this moment.
Clearing his throat, his grip on my hips tightening like he’s trying to make sure I stay close, he murmurs so quietly, I barely hear him, “I didn’t know about you.”
My brows knit together. “What do you mean?”
“When I hooked up with Nathaniel,” he clarifies, my heart pounding in my chest. “I didn’t know he had a boyfriend. I never would’ve agreed to meet up with him had I known.”
My lungs forget how to work for a moment too long, air seeming difficult to suck in as I replay what Mateo’s just said. Of course, I’ve always wondered, but I never felt comfortable asking. But… “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I wouldn’t do that, and you deserve to know the truth, Travis.”
Travis.Not cariño.
I don’t know what to say back to that. The conviction in his tone just about knocks me off my feet.
Thankfully, he doesn’t give me any time to respond. The song ends, and with a quick glance down at the watch on his wrist, he asks, “Ready to go?”
Giving him a quick nod, we make our rounds of saying our goodbyes. Meeting Mateo’s family was… interesting. His mom was pleasant enough, but it felt like more of aforced politetype of way. I didn’t speak with her much, just a quick introduction when we first got here. His sister is really nice. She was welcoming, and only slightly nosy. Ally’s husband was cool, although, at times it seemed like he didn’t have a single thought between his ears. His family was a very stereotypical wealthy family, but overall, welcoming.
And the food was really fucking delicious.
And everything I learned about Mateo tonight… This wasn’t the absolute worst way to spend a Saturday night, I suppose.
When we arrive at the apartment complex and park, I wonder if the evening ends now, if we’ll go our separate ways once we reach our floor. The question is answered for me, though, when I stop outside of mine and pull out my keys to unlock the door, and Mateo waits behind me,notunlocking his own place.
Nova races to the door, the sound of her nails, that are in need of a trim, clanking on the hardwood floor as she trots across it before I even step inside. Turning on the light, I glance over my shoulder at Mateo, who’s following me like this is a totally normal occurrence.
“So, we’re not done hanging out?” I ask, crouching down to pet an overly excited Nova.
“Hell no,” he blurts out, kicking out of his shoes and shrugging out of his jacket. “Let’s drink some more. The night’s young.”
Watching him with humor in my eyes, I shake my head, grabbing Nova’s leash off the coat rack. I’m thankful he’s not bringing up our dance confessional. I don’t think I could handle it, any more honesty. “Whatever. I gotta take her potty. Wanna roll us a joint while I’m gone?”
This feels so fucking weird.So domestic.Us hanging out like it’s nothing. My hackles are up, waiting for the shoe to drop because it has to with a guy like Mateo.
It only takes Nova and me maybe ten minutes downstairs. Thankfully, at night she’s good about doing her business quickly without too much dilly-dallying, especially on nights like tonight when it’s exceptionally chilly. As soon as we make it up the elevator onto our floor, I can hear it.
Music coming from my apartment filtering through the hall. And not just any music. No,I Wanna Knowby Joe is blaring. That time I caught him singing along to that Olivia Rodrigo song at his shop pops into my head, a chuckle breathing off my lips as I stroll toward my door, attempting to open it as quietly as possible, not that he could hear it anyway over the music.
Okay, it’s not reallythatloud, but the walls in this place are pretty thin, so I can hear the lyrics damn near perfectly from out here. Glancing down at Nova, she’s already looking at me. I hold my index finger up to my lips in a“shh”motion before pushing the door open.
Mateo is sitting at my dining room table, his back to me, the rolled joint beside him as he scrolls through his phone. His body is relaxed, indicating he probably didn’t hear me come in, and I hear the very distinct sound of him singing along to the song. I can’t help but smile.
Letting the door shut loudly to let him know my presence, I shout, “I fucking knew it!”
