The tension in his shoulders eases slightly, his grip relaxing as he reaches down and starts the truck, backing us out of the space and heading down the driveway toward the gates.
We pull out onto the road, Caleb staring resolutely out of the windscreen, not saying a word.
‘Do you want to talk about it?’ I ask tentatively.
‘No’ he replies but at least this time he isn’t snapping at me, his tone painful instead, and I drop it.
Reaching my school, I unbuckle my seatbelt, reaching for the door when a large hand grabs my wrist gently. Looking over, I find Caleb’s uncertain gaze on me. He opens his mouth as if he wants to say something before shaking his head and closing it again.
‘I’ll see you later?’ I offer timidly.
He nods, releasing me again, ‘I’ll be here at three, don’t get in another f*ckers car’ he adds.
I throw him a small smile as I nod, pushing the door wide and sliding out of the seat. Shutting the door behind me, I offer him a tentative wave before turning and hurrying down the path toward my college. Mateo steps out from near the doorway, and I clutch at my chest, swallowing a shriek as he grins down at me.
‘Sorry’ he says with chagrin, ‘didn’t mean to startle you, I just saw your brother dropping you off so figured I’d wait for you.’
I steady my breathing, my heart thumping in my chest as I give the jock a nervous smile.
‘Stepbrother’ I correct, ‘and yeah, he’s giving me lifts until I get my car.’
Mateo nods, his arms folded over his chest as he raises his gaze and stares over my shoulder.
Following his line of sight I find that Caleb is still parked by the curb, blatantly watching us, a slight scowl on his face.
‘He seems a little . . . ‘ the jock stalls, searching for the right word, ‘high strung’ he finally finishes.
I nod, my gaze still trained on Caleb’s truck until he puts it into gear and pulls away aggressively.
‘He can be intense’ I agree, my body relaxing as the SUV turns the corner and disappears from view.
A rough hand touches my arm, making me jump as I turn back toward the jock who is looking at me uncertainly.
‘I wasn’t sure what to do’ he mutters gruffly, ‘yesterday, when he got out the car and came over. He looked angry and he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who likes being told no.’
I raise an eyebrow in surprise, studying the man in front of me, trying to figure out what he’s saying.
Mateo blows out a breath, ‘did he hurt you?’ he asks reluctantly, ‘yesterday after you got in the car or when you got home? Did he do anything?’
I blink in shock, my hand instinctively going to the scarf around my neck, checking it’s still there.
‘Of course not’ I reply firmly, glad that my voice comes out strong and sure. ‘Caleb would never intentionally hurt me, ever! He’s a bit gruff sure, and he doesn’t have that long a fuse but he is a really good guy.’
The jock’s shoulders relax as he nods, ‘good’ he murmurs, looking down at me sheepishly. ‘I spent most of the night worrying’ he admits, ‘kicking my own ass that I drove off and left you with him when he was throwing off all kinds of dangerous vibes. I should have stayed and made sure that you were OK, not just accepted your word. F*ck Tessa, all I kept thinking was that maybe you’d said he was your brother or something and really that you were in trouble.’
I place my hand on top of his, squeezing it gently, ‘thank you’ I say softly, ‘for being concerned, but he really is my stepbrother and despite what he shows the world, he’s just trying to keep me safe.
He had the same thought process as you actually’ I giggle, shaking my head, ‘he was angry that I was going to get in your car when I barely knew you. Safety seems to be a big thing for Caleb and I think it’s more panic than anger so I can’t really be mad at him when he gets a little overbearing.’
Mateo nods, and I can see he’s feeling better about the situation, he gives me a lopsided grin and holds out an arm to me, ‘well in that case, could I escort you to your class Miss Tessa?’ he asks cordially.
‘Why Mr Mateo’ I reply, using my folder to fan myself, ‘that would be most splendid.’
Laughing, the jock pulls open the door, ushering me inside before stepping in behind me and starting to walk down the corridor toward my first class.
As we walk through the crowds, I notice quite a few people both male and female eyeing my companion with interest and I have to smother a smile at how oblivious the football player seems to be.
‘Mateo!’ a high pitched voice calls out seconds before I’m elbowed sharply and a tiny brunette slides between us, plastering her breasts to the jock’s arm as he looks down at her in confusion.
‘Hey Alison’ he replies, glancing around him before settling back on the younger girl again, ‘where’s Ana?’
The brunette giggles fakely, making me cringe, ‘oh she’s got class, but I’m free, and all by myself. She bats her eyelashes up at the man in what I think is supposed to be a provocative way, ‘want to keep me company?’
Mateo scratches the back of his neck with the hand that isn’t held hostage by the overly affectionate girl, ‘Uhh, I got class too but maybe I’ll catch you and Ana at lunch?’
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.