Surround me - the first novel

Chapter 22 - who've you got your hooks into now Matthew?

***Matty's POV***

Pulling up I check Tay's message and save her number. I smile reading her message. I tell her that she is mistaken and very much beautiful. Sending back several kisses too.

Everyone will be at Ross's before heading to the park later. I knock on the door and Rach let's me in. It's like she sees me coming. To be honest I couldn't be more unaware of her, and rude yet she still tries. She makes me a bad person, I act shitty around her and somehow she likes me. Even more each time. I had a bit of a casual thing with her for some time, that was wrong though. I learned that she wanted me to herself and I couldn't be that person for her. I called it off.

I expected her to hate me, not try to get me back. I made her cry, I remember telling her that I didn't think it would be a good idea if we were exclusive. That's not what I wanted and it upset her so I cut all ties. Now we exist in this weird friendship where she tries to get my attention and I try to ignore her. I don't want to lead her on, she is easily encouraged.

"Did she get home okay?" Ross asks me, the second he see's me. I know that he means Taylor.
Pippa rolls her eyes and mutters under her breath.
"Yeah man all good, her ex was at her door though" I say and leave it at that. No extra information needed. I've got to keep her to myself.

He looks worried, I feel for him he's a good guy. He gets his phone out as if he's been deliberating messaging her for some time and this info is a decider for him. This is great for me because I will know if she does text him back. I wouldn't blame her, I just think she's too nice. She wouldn't say no to anybody.

Rach cannot hide her shock at my admission of driving the girl home. This is going to cause a bit of jealousy I can tell. After looking at me, she goes back to muttering with Pippa. First it was the clothes Tay borrowed now it's a ride home. Yes this is uncharacteristic of me, she will now start noting all of these little things I do for Tay that I didn't do for her.

"Did what girl get home safely? You guys are so soft." A female voice enquires entering the room.
This is bad, I was hoping she would get lost and stay away forever. A deep pit fills in my stomach.

"Who've you got your hooks into now Matthew?" Jen asks.

Jenifer is Rachel and Pippa's best friend. A huge grin plays on her red lips, as she taunts me. We've been seeing each other, but I thought she had moved on. I actually thought she was seeing Brad. She smooths her straight black hair out, pulling her extensions to the front. Her hair is fake like her. She dyed it many times and now it's cut to just below her chin but she wears extensions to make it appear longer. She looks all done up as usual. too much makeup and wearing her tightest clothes. Having met Tay I feel really put off by girls like Jen, I'm not saying I'm a completely new person. But I just don't see how girls like this were special to me before.

"Ohh barely outta my bed and into another's" she laughs. I've gotta diffuse her now. I know when she's on a war path.

"I'm not in any girls bed fuck off" I say, it's not un-true. I haven't slept with her yet. But I can't tell Jen that she will laugh her head off, she will tease me about being a gentlemen.

"She's Ross's catch" Pippa enlightens her leader.

"Both of you. She must be special" Jen laughs.

"I bet you dropped her off, and...got her off" she continues crudely.

Rach laughs. "Nope she looks like a virgin to me" she explains.

"Don't talk about her, you don't know her" Ross argues. See Tay he's got a heart of gold, defending your honour.

"Stop talking shit, just because you two are easy and give it to anyone" I say annoyed, I miss out Pippa from my diss because I don't want to disrespect her brother.

"That's rich coming from you. Plus I didn't hear you complaining" Jen jokes.

"Don't worry baby" she says coming over to me and stroking my leg. I flinch, I'm not scared of her I'm just completely put off by her touching me.

"I won't get in between you and your next conquest. But I will be waiting for you when she realises you're not who you said you were" she sits next to me.

I need to deflect this conversation away from me. "I thought you were with Brad" I say.

"Are you hurt I didn't call you" she mocks.

"Jay kept me rather busy for a while" she smiles, proud of herself. Lord, those two together are practically a power couple. With her venom and his tenacity.

"Were you pining and thought this virgin could be fun" she laughs loudly.

I do not pine for anyone. She's off her head. Jen was just another bit of fun for me. When I first saw Tay I thought she was striking, I thought she's the kind of girl you introduce to your family and try your damned best to impress.

I shut up, not worth my time. Ross hands me a beer. I roll a cigarette and pretend they don't exist.

***Taylor's POV***

I wake up to one tree hill and smile. Sitting up, my room is completely dark and the light from my phone glares at me.

I'm happy when I see a reply from Matty. Defending his claim of my beauty. I've got another message, from Ross. I had texted him before myself and Matty left earlier so that he had my number. His message is written perfectly I read it and can't help myself but smile.

Hey it's Ross, I can imagine his easy smile as he wrote it. Hope that you're all good and got back okay, next time maybe I can give you a ride back instead of leaving it to my friends- sorry about that, he feels bad about leaving me and that makes me feel worse.

Anyways sorry not trying to write you an essay. Let me know when I'll see you next maybe he ends it with three x's. I re-read it. I need to text him back. I send him a quick reply.

I'm all good and home safe. Maybe see you at the park in the next couple days hopefully catch up with you there.

I think that is casual, I'm not promising him anything and I'm not solely meeting up with him like on a date. I hope to see him again I hide my phone under my covers intent on not checking my phone the entire night for any more male attention.

I sit there in my dark room and deliberate for a minute. Thinking of messaging Matty. But I'm
unsure of what to say. On one hand I want to call him and ask him how his day was. Scrap that I would rather have him here in my bed to hold.

Keeping my distance from the two of them is going to be more difficult than I had thought. I have never had the choice of two guys before, it's not something I am used to. I hug my pillow and sigh. Suddenly having two gorgeous guys wanting to give me affection and wanting my attention is tempting beyond belief.