Chapter 3 - High school sweethearts

Dominic's words were sharp like knives as if he wanted to hurt me with them. I put my fork down, pushed myself from the table, and got up.

"Thank you for dinner, mom." I turned around and strode straight to my room. I heard mom talking to him, but I couldn't care any less. What was wrong with him?! Not even Matthew ever acted like that with me. He always tried to know more about the guys I liked, but he wasn't the judging type. He would have preferred if I didn't date anyone until after high school, but he never forbade me anything. He was always suspicious and pretty authoritative, so some of the guys preferred not to approach me at all. Nonetheless, he never went to that extent as Dominic did. He was the asshole, not Jeff.

As soon as I was inside my room, I closed the door behind my back and reached for my purse. When I took out my phone, I instantly noticed many messages from Jeff. He was worried about me. He even wrote in his last message that if I didn't reply within an hour - he would have come to me. I smiled. Jeff was a very nice guy, and I liked him a lot. I couldn't say anything about being in love, though. 4 months weren't enough for me to figure that out. Chi told me that I was crazy not to love Jeff, but it was what it was.

Speaking of the devil, my best friend's face appeared on my screen. I sighed and answered.

"Hey, lovely girl."

"Hey, sweetheart! What's up with that grumpy voice?" Chiara has always been the one who was able to make me smile within a few seconds. She has been my best friend for almost six years, but honestly - it feels as if I have known her for my whole life.

"It's Dominic. He's getting on my nerves."

"Deets, honey. I need them right now." I even laughed. I could imagine her sitting more comfortably to listen to my stories.

"On my way back home, he caught me in the hallway."

"Interesting... go on."

"Nothing of that sort. He told me that Jeff is using me and that he's an asshole."

"How dare he?! You know that I have a soft spot for cocky bastards, and Dom especially, but saying those things about Jeff... Dominic is losing his points in my eyes."

"He yelled at me." I heard her gasping. Yeah, my friend and her parents came to the USA from Italy almost ten years ago, and she has always been incredibly emotional. To certain extents, a little dramatic. I love her for that because it was part of her sweet personality. "And when I told him that Jeff is my boyfriend, he became furious. He fucking followed me inside my apartment, and only mom's appearance stopped all that."

"Damn, he's acting strange. If I didn't know better, I would say that he's jealous." I started laughing.

"He said that Matthew asked him to look after mom and me, and that's exactly what he's doing. He has been here for two weeks, but it already feels like an eternity. He's getting on my nerves. He irritates me. It was so much better without him!"

"4 years, no joke! He was coming over on summer and winter breaks but, since he graduated college and there was no sign of him for almost seven months, I honestly thought that our town lost one of the most handsome lads. But nope, he popped up right on time. If he had decided to come back closer to February 14, I would have asked you to give him to me as a present. Damn, Mia, why does he have to be your brother's best friend?! It's not fair that you are the only one who gets an opportunity to see him. Daily."

"I would love for you to be in my shoes. Trust me. Dinner was unbearable."

"What the fuck?! You had dinner with him?"

"Chi, I will end this call if I will hear you yelling like that again." She started giggling, and I sighed. She has always been like that. Why was I surprised? "Mom invited him. He opened my bedroom door without knocking first. I scolded him, reminding him that I could have been naked."

"And? Don't make me beg you for more…"

"He asked what if it was his intention and, after I reminded him of his own words from a couple of years ago and said that Jeff is my boyfriend, he became angry."

"My love, I genuinely believe that your brother's best friend has a crush on you."

"Chiara, honey, this is ridiculous. He has known me for my whole life. He knew that I was in love with him. He turned me down and not very nice. You know that. He said that I will always be a little girl in his eyes."

"Little girl grew up into a stunning young woman with a hot body. Oh God, I would love to be in your shoes right now. I would have been able to see if there is something in his eyes when he looks at you."

"If he keeps up that attitude, the only thing that you will be able to see will be a black eye."

"Nah, as soon as you know that I am right, you will go to him willingly. Naked and ready to ride him all night long."

"Okay, I am ending this conversation. You're saying nonsense. I need to call Jeff."

"Your news about Dom made me completely forget about your lover-boy. Call Jeff and tell him that Chi says hi."

"Bye, see you at school."

"Love you, darling."

I ended the call with a smile on my lips. One short conversation, and I already felt better. My phone started buzzing again. It was Jeff. My smile grew bigger. I missed him.

"Hey, Jeff."

"Are you at your place?"

"Yep. Why?"

"Open the door." I didn't hesitate. I got up from my bed and strode straight to the apartment's door. I opened it and saw my boyfriend. He was grinning at me, just as I was when my eyes met his.

"I am sorry for this unexpected visit, but you asked for it yourself."

"I know. Come in." I took his hand and dragged him inside. As soon as I closed the door, Jeff's lips were on mine. It was a lovely and tender kiss. I enjoyed being in his arms. I felt safe.

Suddenly I heard a cough. Reluctantly, I ended the kiss and turned my head. My mom was standing in the doorframe to the kitchen. She was smiling at us.

"Good evening, Jeff."

"Good evening, Ms. Ashton." Mom sighed.

"Jeff, I told you this a few times already. I don't like to be called that. I am Monica."

"I am sorry, Monica, and I am sorry for this late visit."

"It's okay. You're always welcome here." I saw mom glancing inside the kitchen. Was Dominic still here? Just then, I saw a confirmation of this thought. Dom walked outside of the kitchen and stared at me. He was fixing his gaze on me and me only. He was pissed off. I knew that look too well.

"Oh, Dominic, hey. I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"Likewise. Why are you here, Atkins?" Dom folded his arms over his chest and glared at Jeff. My boyfriend was uncomfortable. That was what I was sure about.

"I came to visit Mia. Just..."

"You don't need to explain yourself to him. Let's go." I took Jeff's hand in mine and turned around, ready to go back to my room. "Night, mom. Jeff will stay with me."

"What?!" Dominic's voice sounded furious, but I couldn't care any less. Only my mom's approval was important to me.

"Night, Mia, Jeff. Stay safe, kids." Mom winked at me, and I felt relief. She didn't change her mind about Jeff. In a minute, I was already closing the door to my room. A mischievous smile spread on my lips.

"Your mom is amazing. Do you know that?" I was going to my bed, pulling Jeff to me. He was a handsome guy. Brown hair, deep blue eyes with thick eyelashes and a little stubble on his cheeks. Heck, how sexy he looked. All those muscles and biceps. My boyfriend was incredibly hot.

"I do." I sat on the bed and pulled him to me, but Jeff stopped and shook his head. "What's wrong?"

"What the fuck was that with Watson?" He stared at me. "He has a reputation, and I would love to skip an introduction with his fists."

"Are you scared of him?" I was surprised to hear it. I always thought that Jeff was a brave guy and that he wasn't afraid of struggles. He was a basketball player, and he was unstoppable in the game. Why such a reaction?

"He sounded pretty territorial, and he was pissed off when he saw you in my arms. Is there anything I should know about?"

"Like what? Was there something between him and me? No, there wasn't, but he said that you are using me. He told me that's you are an asshole."

"Oh."