“Don’t fucking call her that.”
“Mate, relax,” he said, looking taken aback.
“The fuck I will,” I seethed.
“Okay, what the hell is going on?” Carlos said, crossing his arms, looking unbothered at my rather territorial reaction. I knew in my head that I needed to fucking relax. But I couldn’t. Why was she sending him pictures? And they were flirting at that gala. Now that I thought about it, they were together a lot, always finding each other at events throughout the year, laughing together.
I was an idiot.
How could I be this damn blind?
“Nothing,” I snapped and stormed out of the room. I didn’t get far, Carlos following after me as I was talking myself into a mental spiral.
“Matteo!”
“What!” I yelled at him, spinning around. “What could you possibly want from me?”
“Is this about the picture?” Carlos asked.
“Sure, yeah. And that I’m blind and stupid, and that obviously you have something with her, I don’t know how I didn’t notice it before. Haven’t you two known each other since you were little? Friends to lovers or whatever. I’ve seen that movie. You win in the end.”
“Woah, woah woah,” Carlos held up his hands. “First of all, this is the picture.” He turned his phone to me. Nicola’s selfie showed her with red lipstick smeared across her cheek, lipstick tube in hand and a glare on her face, Gianna giggling to the side.
“Second of all, yeah, we’ve known each other forever, she’s basically an extra sister, mate. It’s not like that.”
“Sure,” I scoffed.
“No, it’s really not like that,”Carlos insisted.
“Whatever, man. She’s all yours.” I started to walk away again.
“You fucking blind idiot, we are not interested in each other, not likethat.”
I stared at my teammate blankly.
“I’m not interested in her,” he said, brushing a hand over his face. “Or anyone that is aher.”He waved his hand like I should understand what he was saying.
“I’m gay, you dumb blind idiot,” Carlos rolled his eyes at me.
“Oh,” was all I could form. A whole damn word, my brain restarted at the comment. “Oh!”
“Yeah, oh,” Carlos rolled his eyes. “It’s not like public knowledge, but Nicola is my friend, that’s it. She knows. God, she was with me when we went out and found me drunkenly kissing a boy when we were teenagers and made sure no one saw us and distracted the rest of our friends.”
I smiled, because of course she did, that was so Nicola.
“That—um. Congrats?” I stumbled.
“Don’t make it fucking weird.” Carlos rolled his eyes. “Literally nothing has changed, except now you know I’m gay, and I know you’re down bad for the boss’s daughter.”
“Um—”
“Mmhm.”
“Well…I—Uh, sorry that wasn’t cool of me to react like that. And I’m happy for you man. That’s great, really. Nicola just makes me lose my mind sometimes.”
“She has that effect on men in general, actually,” Carlos smirked.
“Don’t I know it,” I sighed, “Seriously man, sorry for my reaction. And I won’t tell anyone. It’s yours to share when you feel it’s best, but I’ve got your back and if anyone gives you any trouble. I’ll punch them straight in the jaw.” I nodded seriously.
