Impress Me Not: Neon Underground

Chapter 36

Saying that you cared for someone wasn't supposed to be a big thing. It didn't really mean love, or anything like that. It just meant that you felt something for them. That's what Mateo's definition was, at least. That's why it shouldn't be a big issue.

But it was. Because Mateo had cared about very few people in his life. He always thought it wasn't important. After all, most of those people he did care about wound up hurting him in the end, so there wasn't a point in caring about anyone but himself.

Lucas was one of those people he cared about.

He couldn't live like that though. Mateo couldn't live just caring about himself. It was boring, and lonely. He just hated his life when there was no one but himself.

Surprisingly, it took this grump to get him to realize that. He swore the man hated the daytime. Every time Mateo got to spend time with him when the sun was bright in the sky the dark dressed man was always so agitated. It was kind of funny to see him like this. It was so different from the night version of him. Mateo kind of liked this side of him. It made him actually seem human.

Rather than the lunatic that tied him up and smiled like a serial killer every time Mateo screamed in pain.

And looked hot while doing it...

Yeah...Mateo still didn't want to think about what was wrong with him for liking this stuff. Most of the time, he didn't want to think in general.

The ocean waves crashed onto the shore, soothing the silent tension that they shared. Mateo wasn't sure what was going on in that mind. All he knew was he wished he did. Melvin looked deep in thought as he stared at the waves in front of them. He still wore his usual black turtle neck, too. It was a little disappointing that he burnt so easily. Mateo was wanting to see what he looked like in a bathing suit or something.

Or just without a damn shirt.

"You didn't have to make amends with either of them on my behalf, you know," Melvin finally spoke. He had been a statue sitting on the sand up until that point. Now he was digging through his pockets to pull out a pack of cigarettes. "I meant it when I said I didn't care about who you talked to."

"Says the one who also got pissed when I made Anton upset?" He huffed a laugh. "I can smell that bullshit from a mile away. But I didn't do it for you."

"Really?" Melvin gave a curious look to him before cupping his hand around his lighter. It only took a flash of fire and his cigarette was lit. "I didn't think you would forgive Lucas so soon."

"I just don't want to hold a grudge anymore," Mateo sighed. "It's exhausting. At least this way he won't be trying to blow up my phone or making Anton upset or something."

"And here I thought you enjoyed being the center of attention," The man cocked a sly smile at him.

"Do you always have to be an asshole?" Mateo rolled his eyes. He could have said something else. He could have told him that he only wanted to be the center of Melvin's attention. But that would just stroke the lunatic's ego. And he wasn't going to start that.

"I could ask you the same," Melvin chuckled. "Thank you for doing that, though. Just don't think I forced you to."

"That's the one thing you couldn't force me to do," He shook his head. "You and Anton are close, huh?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Did you two grow up together or something?" He really hoped the guy actually told him something. This man was more closed off than anyone he ever knew.

He was also just dying to have a normal conversation with him. Mateo loved those nights that they shared, the most recent one being the most intimate, but he wanted to know what this man was like outside of it all too. There weren't too many times he would show his true self around him. But the few times he would, they left him wishing for more.