Page 7 of Weaponized

He’s a lot to take in. Big and broad, he looks like bottled violence. His muscles seem to bunch and flex with every movement he makes, brightly colored tattoos popping. It’s like he’s tightly coiled, waiting to spring. Matteo seems mildly interested in me. It’s obvious how his eyes track me, yet they don’t have the hungry look I’m used to seeing from men. He looks at me like he’s following something out of place, a puzzle to solve. What he doesn’t realize is that I am exactly where I belong, and my jagged pieces were put in place a long time ago. Before too long, he’ll learn firsthand exactly how good I am at thriving in this world we were both born into. I’m pondering this when I notice everyone getting up around me. I don’t even have time to react before Elizabeth is at my side.

“So, um, what time works for lunch?” Her nerves seem better and she actually smiles a little.

“My next class isn’t until two, so how about noon?”

“That’d be great!” Okay, maybe she’s a little too excited. “I can meet you in front of the dining hall, if you’re sure…”

If I’m sure? “Absolutely.” I smile at her and she beams. “I’m headed out to find some coffee, so I’ll see you then.” I don’t wait for her chipper reply as I turn and head toward the door because I really do need a hit of caffeine.

“I’ll walk with you.” I startle at Matteo’s voice. His hand hits the small of my back as he follows me out the door.

“Also need a caffeine infusion?” I smile at him. I’m going for friendly rather than flirty, which I hope comes across. This guy has way too many girls giving him fuck-me eyes, and I don’t need to be grouped among the classless masses. I need him to see me as wife material.

“You were really nice to Lizzie,” he comments as we make our way across campus.

“Lizzie?” I’m confused for a moment before I piece it together. I shrug. “Oh, right. Well, I try to be nice to most people.”

He makes a noise in his throat, and we walk in silence to the campus coffeehouse. He opens the door for me, hand again touching my back as I enter in front of him. I can feel the looks from those inside. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m new or because Matteo is so popular here. Probably both.

“Can I buy you a coffee?” he asks. “One of those foo-foo frappa-somethings?”

I genuinely laugh at this until I meet Luca’s hostile eyes through the window.How long has he been standing there? I stiffen a bit and respond. “I just drink it black. Dark roast if they have it.”

Matteo looks out the window, seeing what I see. “Black coffee? Is that because you’re sweet enough?” He is speaking to me while watching his brother’s brooding image outside. His lips tug at the corner.

I smile again. “Worst line ever. But, yes, I don’t need any extra sugar.”

This causes him to grin before he looks outside again. “Let me check with Mr. Personality out there to see if he wants anything.”

“Oh, I can honestly get my own coffee. It’s really not a problem. I’d hate for you to disturb all that.” I make a motion toward the window, where Luca stands on the other side with his arms crossed, muscles flexed, grimace firmly in place. He resembles a nightmare of a bouncer, protecting the coffeehouse. I’m not in any mood to wait, and I’m also hoping Matteo doesn’t drag his brother inside. There’s maybe fifty feet and a wall between us, and that’s close enough.

“Just give me a second.” He’s out the door faster than I can protest. I watch his smile as he approaches his brother, who is scowling at him in return. Luca then shows surprise at something Matteo says, followed by some comment of his own, and then he’s back to glowering.Resting bitch face.I smile. Matteo’s back is to me now, so I can’t see if he’s talking, but soon enough, he turns back around and comes inside.

“My brother also takes his coffee black,” he informs me. “Seems you two have a lot in common.”

I can tell by his smirk that he thinks that statement will get some reaction, so I simply ask him if we should get in line.He narrows his eyes at my avoidance and guides me, hand on my elbow this time, over to the queue.

It’s when his fingers touch my skin that I realize something. I’m already bored with Matteo. He’s a handsome guy, without a doubt, but he does absolutely nothing for me. The apathy that is ever present in his expression must have projected outward, because I honestly don’t want to spend more time with him. I know I should because it would make my job easier, but there’s something wrong with this level of indifference. And I can’t muster the energy to genuinely care about whatever trauma put it there. I have enough of my own to deal with. “You graduate this year?” I decide to make conversation. Eh. It’s a place to start. Men like to talk about themselves. There are only two people ahead of us now, so that gives me a couple minutes to get the ball rolling. It’s time to get this show on the road.

He nods as we inch closer to the counter. “Yeah. This spring. And, you’re a junior?”

“I am. Psychology major.”

He takes this in. “You here for that or for Liam McGuiness?”

Bold. I’m saved by the guy at the counter waving us forward. He appears so young, face full of acne. Shaggy brown hair falling in his eyes. He can’t make eye contact with me and is blushing as he asks my chest for our order.

“We’ll have two large dark roasts and a medium Chai,” Matteo clips out, pulling out his wallet. The kid has gone from looking at my boobs to looking at Matteo’s shoulder. I shake my head with a smile before I can help it.

Matteo pays for our drinks and hands me mine before he takes the two remaining beverages, one in each hand.

“I didn’t peg you for a Chai person,” I tell him honestly.

“Why is that?” he asks as he leads me back through the shop.

“I would have guessed light roast, two sugars,” I tell him with a smile. “Just a feeling.”

“I was in the mood for a little spice,” is his cheeky response. “I have to give this to Luca. Why don’t you come say hello?”

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