Chapter 42
Chapter
Forty-Two
WREN
D elaney didn’t hang around long after we were done because she had a shift at DD’s later. I walked her to the door, but as soon as she was through, I slammed it shut and high-tailed it back upstairs. I could feel Rob watching me the whole way up, making an uneasy feeling settle in the pit of my stomach.
I’ve never wanted to be that girl.
The girl that causes tension in a friend group or breaks it up. It’s usually a me problem if we aren’t vibing anyway. I simply just remove myself from the situation, and everyone wins. There’s no need for others to be miserable when I’m honestly not going to want to talk to you again anyway.
But I’m starting to think Delaney is right. Rob’s behavior today was way out of character, even for him. His comments about me being ungrateful were out of line. I understand I’ve fought Matteo most of the way, but I didn’t like having my life basically taken away from me. He can’t expect me to follow every order like a dog.
Have I been ungrateful?
Once again, I flip the lock on the bedroom for peace of mind before I settle on the bed to watch TV. I decide it’s probably best to just hang out up here until Matteo or someone else comes back to the house.
I must have drifted off without realizing it because the sound of the door handle jingling jerks me awake. My whole body is frozen as my eyes are locked on the moving handle. My mind sends my body back into flight mode, making me feel the same way I did that night months ago.
Quickly scanning the room for anything I can use as a weapon, I come up blank. There’s nothing unless I want to chuck some shoes or a remote at their head. The door handle jingles again, except this time, it sounds like whoever it is is leaning their body into it.
My breathing picks up as the panic starts to set in. I’m like a sitting duck in this room. What if whoever it is breaks the door down?
What if it’s Rob?
Oh god.
If this is how I die, I’m going to come back from the dead and haunt the ever-loving fuck out of Matteo for ripping me out of my bubble and placing me in this house that’s way too big for one person only to be killed by Rob. Fucking Rob.
“Wren?” My body instantly relaxes at the sound of his voice. He jiggles the handle harder. “Wren? Are you in there? Why is the door locked?”
Jumping off the bed, I quickly run over to the door, pausing for a second to gather myself. I don’t want him to see me like this. Flipping the lock, I open the door.
“Hi. ”
Matteo’s face is full of concern as he scans me over. “You going to let me in?”
Oh.
I guess I am blocking the entrance. Stepping back, I walk back to the bed as Matteo enters and shuts the door behind him.
“What’s going on?” Matteo asks as he sits down next to me on the bed.
“Nothing. I was just relaxing and watching some TV.” I can’t stop my fingers from nervously rubbing together.
“Why was the door locked?” His assessing eyes haven’t left my face.
I don’t really know how to start this conversation, so I just shrug my shoulders and look away. How do you tell someone their right-hand man is a grade-A asshole who makes you uncomfortable?
“Wren.” Matteo’s commanding tone brings my attention back to his face. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Alright, I’m just going to clear the air. The worst that can happen is he doesn’t believe me. Which will probably break my heart a little, but that’s okay. She’s a bad bitch too, and bad bitches only cry for a night and pick themselves up like nothing happened. I’ll be okay.
“Did something happen with Rob?” He presses, taking my silence as me not wanting to respond. “He was the only one here with you today, and I know you didn’t leave.”
A long groan escapes me as I fall back onto the bed, exasperated with this conversation already. “I don’t want to be this person.”
“What person?” Matteo places his hand on my thigh, kneading in small circles.
“The person that causes issues in other relationships.” Why does this have to be so difficult?
“I can promise that you will never cause an issue in other relationships. I’m always on your side. If one of my men did something to upset you, I want to know about it so I can deal with it accordingly.” I don’t say anything as I stare up at him, blinking. “Wren,” he growls, squeezing my thigh. He’s growing impatient.
“I’m sure you know Delaney came by today,” I start off.
Matteo nods his head. “I saw her on the camera. Did you two have fun?”
“Yeah… once we got past Rob,” I finally get out.
Matteo stops kneading my thigh. “What do you mean ‘got past Rob’?”
“He was…weird. I don’t even know how to explain it without you thinking I’m making it up.”
“Well, try,” Matteo says, voice tight.
“You have to promise to not lose your shit.” The last thing I need is him storming out of here and killing someone over a small confrontation.
“How about you let me worry about how I handle whatever it is you’re about to tell me?”
“Matteo.”
“Wren,” Matteo says, matching my tone. We’re both staring each other down, too stubborn to give in first. I have a feeling it’s never going to be him in these types of situations.
I let out another long sigh. “Fine. As soon as Delaney came inside, Rob literally appeared out of nowhere and had a shitty attitude.”
“Shitty how?”
“He asked if I got permission from you for her to be here. I’m sorry if I needed it and didn’t ask, but honestly, I thought it would be fine because we weren’t leaving. Then he made a comment about how he didn’t want to be stuck babysitting two girls. ”
“Is that all?” Matteo asks. I can tell he’s trying to keep his cool and comfort me, but his voice sounds like he wants to smash Rob’s face into the ground.
“Basically, yeah.” Let’s just leave it here for the night.
“I’m really trying to check it for you, baby. But I’m holding on by a thread here. Tell me everything that happened before I fucking lose it.”
“He said I’m ungrateful,” I whisper, tearing my eyes from Matteo’s face and focusing on a spot on the floor. “I don’t want you to think that I am. I do appre?—”
“Hey,” Matteo says softly. His hand lightly cups my jaw, turning my face back toward him. “Look at me.” I don’t make him wait. My eyes leave the spot on the floor to stare into his deep brown ones. “I have never for one fucking second thought that you are being ungrateful.”
“I know these last few months have been a lot, and it’s taken me a minute to adjust to having my life turned upside down, but I am grateful for you. I might not like how bossy and controlling you are, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate everything you do.”
“I know, tesoro .” Matteo smiles softly, the hardness leaving his face as he leans in and gently places a kiss on my lips. “I’ll deal with Rob, so don’t worry about it anymore. I’m sorry he made you feel uncomfortable in your own home.”
“I just didn’t like how he came out of left field with that. He made Delaney feel so unwelcome. I thought she was going to knock him out,” I say against Matteo’s lips before placing another kiss against them.
Matteo lets out a loud laugh as he leans away slightly. “I’d pay a lot of money to see Delaney take on Rob.”
“Well, if it happens again, you’ll probably get to watch for free.” I instantly regretted my joke as soon as it left my mouth. The soft, happy Matteo that I got to see for thirty seconds is gone. In its place is the boss.
“It will never happen again,” he vows as he squeezes my knee. “Get dressed.”
“Why?” I really didn’t want to do anything tonight other than continue to lie in bed and watch TV. Maybe order a pizza, but that would be the extent of my exertion.
“We’re going to dinner.”
I made a face before I could stop myself. “Where?” I sound like I'd rather do anything else. The thought of sitting in a restaurant right now sounds fucking horrible.
An amused smile creeps on his face. “My ma’s.”
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
“Don’t you think that this is a little…soon?” I choke out. I know I’ve met all of his brothers, but they’re just always around. It wasn’t a formal thing. Meeting a parent just makes it seem so final.
“No. She’s been begging to meet you. It’s killing her that everyone has met you, and she hasn’t.”
“Well, I hope she knows that she’s about to be very disappointed.”
“Why would she be disappointed?” Matteo asks, his face hardening.
Isn’t it obvious?
My left eyebrow raises as I look at him and back down at me. Matteo is sitting next to me in a suit that looks like it was made specifically to be molded to his fit, muscular body. It also probably cost more than my rent. I know the shiny gold Rolex on his wrist definitely cost more than my rent for the whole year. And here’s me, sitting next to this man who has more money than I would even know what to do with wearing a pair of leggings I bought in a three-pack online and a baggy T-shirt. I’d like to say these are just clothes I lounge in, but my wardrobe stays within the same price range.
“Oh, don’t even fucking start with that shit,” Matteo growls, picking up on what I meant from my stare. “It’s insulting.”
“How is it insulting?” I throw my hands up in the air. “I’m being honest. Anyone that looks at us can see it.”
“And what can they see?” he bites out, his tone having a scary edge.
“That you and I look like we don’t belong.”
Matteo is silent for a long moment, just staring at me. The only sign of life I got was his right eye twitching. “I never thought you would be one to be insecure,” he finally gets out.
It takes everything in me to not roll my eyes. “I’m not insecure, Matteo. I know what I have to work with and what I bring to the table. And I can very confidently say what I bring doesn’t even come close to matching what you bring.”
“It’s not a competition. My family could care less where you come from and how much money you have.” I start to open my mouth to tell him I wasn’t talking about money, but of course, he sees right through me and my lie. “Don’t,” he bites out, making me sit up straight. “You’re really starting to piss me off with this shit. Have I, my brothers, or cousin that you’ve met so far ever made you feel less than?”
“I mean… no, but Alessio hated me immediately as soon as I called him that one night.” I still think he hates me. He’s warmed up enough to the point where his face doesn’t turn into a grimace every time he sees me. I think there will always be that tiny voice in the back of my mind that tells me he’s only acting like this because of where I come from.
“Alessio hates everyone. Don’t take it personally.”
I know he’s probably right, but it still doesn’t reassure my fucked up brain. “I think Rob just got into my head. ”
“I’ll take care of Rob, so don’t worry about it. As much as I would love to see you out in my clothes, I don’t want any of my family to see you like that. Change so we can go.”
“Because it’s not designer?” As soon as it was out of my mouth, I immediately wished I could take it back.
“Because it’s for my eyes only. I’d hate to have to kill Gio at family dinner.” Matteo gives my thigh one last squeeze before he leaves me alone on the bed.
I’d hate that too.
A long sigh releases from my mouth as I get up to dig through my suitcases that I still haven’t unpacked.
Never in my almost fifteen-ish years of dating have I ever met anyone’s parents. None of my relationships have ever gone the distance. I honestly wouldn’t even call them relationships. More like flings that sometimes lasted a few months.
Hopefully, I can find something to wear that doesn’t give the impression that I’m homeless, or a straight-up skank.
Somewhere in the middle would be my most authentic self.