The Space Between

Chapter 31 : Play the nurse for me

Matteo's POV

I sat on my bed, watching my mom fuss over my dorm room, adjusting things she had just unpacked. My parents had insisted on coming back with me after the hospital visit, making sure I was settled and comfortable. My dad leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his face calm despite the tension that hung in the air. Mom, on the other hand, was visibly upset, and I knew exactly why.

“You need to focus, Matteo,” she said, her voice tinged with frustration as she arranged my books on the desk. “I can’t believe you’re wasting your time with that girl. Who does that—hugging some random guy right in front of his parents? It’s not decent, and she’s not the right one for you.”

I sighed, trying to keep my cool. “Mom, Sophia’s not random, and she’s not like that. You don’t even know her.”

“She’s not Bianca,” she snapped, shooting me a disapproving look. “Bianca was good for you. She was always polite, well-mannered, and supportive of your career. This Sophia girl… I don’t see it.”

“Because you won’t give her a chance,” I said, my voice rising in frustration. “Sophia is kind, smart, and she’s been there for me when I needed her.”

Mom huffed, turning her back on me to fiddle with my pillows, her movements sharp and irritated. My dad stepped forward, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Matteo’s right,” he said gently. “Sophia seems like a good person, and if she makes him happy, we should support that.”

Mom shrugged off his hand, glaring at him. “You think I don’t want him to be happy? I just don’t want him making mistakes that could ruin his future.”

“Supporting him is what’s important right now,” Dad insisted, his tone firm but calm. “He’s old enough to make his own decisions, and we should trust him.”

After a tense moment, Mom relented, though her expression remained tight with disapproval. “Fine,” she said, picking up her purse. “But I still don’t like it.”

Dad gave me a reassuring nod as they prepared to leave. “Take care of yourself, son,” he said. “We’ll be back for the next matches, and we can stay longer then.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I murmured, trying to muster a smile as they left. Mom’s disapproving glare was the last thing I saw before the door closed behind them, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The frustration lingered in the air, heavy and unwelcome. I wished she could see Sophia the way I did, but it seemed like an uphill battle.

Not long after, the door swung open again, and in came Marcus, Emma, and the rest of the team, all with wide smiles and concerned expressions. Emma immediately darted to my side, her voice full of cheer. “How are you feeling?”

“Better now that you’re all here,” I said, forcing a grin.

Sophia lingered near the doorway, hesitant at first, but Emma gave her a little nudge. She stepped closer, concern etched on her face. “I can stay and help if you need anything,” she offered, her eyes meeting mine.

Marcus shot me a knowing look and smirked. “Oh, Matteo has plenty of people taking care of him,” he teased, nudging Emma. “But I’m sure he’d make an exception for you.”

Sophia blushed, and I couldn’t help but laugh, my face heating up as well. “You guys are the worst,” I chuckled, shaking my head at their antics. But inside, I was grateful. This was exactly what I needed—a reminder that I wasn’t alone.

After the room cleared out, Sophia lingered, her eyes still filled with concern. She approached me, her touch gentle as she adjusted the ice pack on my leg. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked softly.

I nodded, my hand reaching out to gently take hers. “I’m good. Especially now.”

Sophia smiled, leaning in closer, her breath warm against my cheek. “You sure you don’t need anything else?”

I smirked, pulling her closer. “Well, there is one thing…”

Before I could finish, her lips met mine in a soft, lingering kiss, catching me off guard in the best possible way. I felt a rush of warmth flood through me, every inch of tension from the day dissolving as our mouths moved together, slow at first, like we were savoring each second. Her lips were soft and sweet, and I couldn’t get enough. My hands found her waist, pulling her closer, and she responded by wrapping her arms around my neck, deepening the kiss.

As the seconds ticked by, our kisses grew more urgent, fueled by a mix of relief, desire, and everything we’d been holding back. I backed up slightly, guiding her until her back pressed against the edge of the bed, and we fell into it together, lips never breaking contact.

Sophia’s fingers threaded through my hair, pulling me closer, her touch sending sparks all over my skin. I could feel the quickening of her breath, matching the rhythm of my racing heart, and it was driving me wild.

I kissed her deeper, feeling her respond with the same intensity. It was like we were caught in a perfect, breathless moment, where nothing else mattered. Her hands roamed my back, pulling me even closer, and I could feel the heat of her body against mine, igniting something inside me. I let my hands explore, sliding up her sides, feeling the curve of her waist, her warmth pressing into me, and it was intoxicating. Every kiss felt like a promise, every touch a reminder of how much we’d both needed this—needed each other.

We moved in sync, lost in each other, my lips trailing down her neck, drawing soft, breathy sighs from her that made my pulse quicken. Her fingers tightened in my hair, and I couldn’t help but smile against her skin, feeling like I could stay in this moment forever. I pulled back for just a second to catch my breath, resting my forehead against hers, both of us panting softly, faces flushed. Her eyes were bright and full of something I couldn’t quite put into words, but I knew I felt it too.

When we finally pulled apart, gasping for air, I couldn’t stop the grin that spread across my face.

"I can taste these lips all day” I murmured, earning a laugh from her.

“Shut up,” she whispered, her smile brightening the entire room.

In that moment, nothing else mattered—not my mom’s disapproval, not the injury, not even the looming matches. It was just Sophia and me, and that was more than enough.