Impress Me Not: Neon Underground

Chapter 45

It was fun being out in the ocean with him. After everything they talked about, he wasn't sure if he was ever going to feel okay. That's why he changed the subject. It was much easier talking about hating each other, even if Mateo teased him a little too much.

All he had to do was grab his chin, and it was like nothing changed. Mateo didn't like the idea of Melvin hating him, but the sessions with him in those rooms when he was pissed were the times he felt the most alive. He might not know much about himself right now, but he knew that he liked Melvin's company in every single form. There was just something in those dark blue eyes that made him feel seen. They could look into his soul and keep him falling back to hin no matter what.

To go from that intense stare to splashing in the ocean was a strange whiplash, and Mateo wasn't even complaining. He liked seeing all sides of him. Melvin was so squeamish getting into the water, he couldn't help but laugh. He was pale against the dark waves, but damn did he look amazing shirtless. His skin was as smooth as marble, muscles hiding until he swam around. Mateo knew he was strong, but being able to see him like this was still so new to him. He never wanted it to end.

"You can take off the choker too, you know," Mateo told him. That was the strangest thing about Melvin. He almost always covered his neck. It wasn't like there were scars on it or anything.

"I'll keep it on," Melvin said.

"Why?" Mateo had to ask. Maybe he could actually get him to talk some this time.

"Because I don't want to," He shrugged. "Simple as that."

"You're never going to tell me, are you?"

"Tell you what?"

"Why you hide your neck so much," he said. Even at the gay bar, he had a specific rule to keep people from touching his neck. Did he have trauma about it? Did someone almost choke him to death or something?

Those blue eyes captured his again, a serious tension behind them, along with something else he couldn't describe. All he knew was that it burned through him, reigniting the flame that Mateo had for him. Melvin didn't even need make-up around his eyes. They held so much power without trying.

He wished he could look at them forever.

The moment in time ended as the man's lips curled up just enough to make his heart stop.

"When you're ready," he finally answered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Mateo was caught a little off guard by that. "Ready for what?"

"Nevermind," Melvin shook his head, walking towards the beach. They were in shallow water, which they were using just to stand and talk.

"Wait," Mateo followed him immediately. "You can't just say that and then leave me hanging!"

"I've left you in worse conditions." His back was turned towards him, but Mateo could tell that he was still smirking.

He's such a damn tease.

"That doesn't mean leave me now!" Mateo grabbed his shoulder just when they both got to shore. It was still wet and slippery, but he had gotten enough of a grip to turn him around. The whole action seemed too dramatic now that he thought about it. He didn't know why he acted like that in the first place.

"Mateo," Melvin's tone grew soft as he moved his hand off his shoulder. "I'm not leaving you. I'm just getting out of the ocean."

"Oh..." He was such an idiot. Why did he even say that? What the hell was he even thinking? All he could think of was that Melvin was walking away, and he was worried that he made him upset.