12 dates of Christmas [Completed]

Chapter 5

Cora

I hate gym class. All that running around building up a sweat is so gross. The other girls at this school sit on the bleachers, watching the guys play basketball. So I can't complain. As I'm looking out, I see Zino wave at me. At first I look around but since none of the other girls are sitting next to me, it's clear that it's me he's waving to. I acknowledge him with a mini wave and that's when Mateo enters the gym and I bite my lip looking at him. He is just as lean and well defined as his pictures online. Oh, my God! He's so hot. Not that Zino isn't good looking in his gym shorts and basketball tank, but he is bulkier than Mateo.

I watch them play ball. Mateo and Zino are in different teams and their rivalry becomes clear halfway into the game.

At the end of class, Zino comes over to where I'm sitting, and oh, man he looks good when he smiles at me. I think he is happy because his team won the game.

"Can I walk you to your next class?" he asks.

"Oh okay, isn't Maddie going to get mad at you?"

"No why would she?" he wonders holding his towel around his neck.

"She told me to stay away from you", I tell him.

Zino looks to the floor with a somber expression on his face before he lifts his eyes.

"Well, that's just a lot of bullshit."

"In that case, I'll be happy to have you walk me to class", I smile.

Zino beams at me, and he looks really adorable.

Zino

What the fuck! Mateo is playing unfair. I meet up Cora after gym class. I put my arm around her shoulders as we walk to her next class. I make sure that Mateo see us as we pass by him. I've just told her a joke and she is laughing. I look over my shoulder at Mateo with a big smirk on my face.

Mateo

Motherfucker!

Cora

Zino asks if I want to go to a party tonight since it is Friday. I agree and he tells me he'll pick me up at seven. The bell rings and I'm off to English class.

In one week I've managed to go on three dates with two different boys and tonight I'll be at a party with one of them. I think that is a record even for me.

As I'm walking down the snow drenched sidewalk on my way home, I notice Mateo's black Maserati.

"Come on, get in", I hear Mateo says as he slows down.

I stop and stare at him.

"Pretty please with a cherry on top", he rambles.

"You have to work on your pick up lines", I laugh as he helps me into the passenger seat.

"Is that so?" he says with a teasing smile.

And there goes my knees again.

"So are you going to the party tonight?" I ask.

"Are you going?"

"Zino's taking me", I say and bite my lip.

Mateo gets a frown between his brows.

"I'll probably be there", he says after a while.

He lets me out at my house, still moody. Maybe I shouldn't have told him about my party date with Zino but I really want Mateo to be there.

I pick a ruby red dress with bare shoulders and a bell shaped skirt. And I pair it with a pair of matching Jimmy Choo shoes.

Zino is outside my door at seven sharp. He has a black suite on with a black shirt. He looks really posh. The look enhances his cheekbones and olive skin, and lifts his dark blue eyes. It gives me tingles just being near him.

Zino

"You look amazing", I tell her as she meets me at her door. She looks fuckable. I escort her to my SUV and help her inside. A short drive later and we're at the party. I take her hand as we go up to the door. The music is pumping and I see a lot of my friends along the way. We dance for a while. Cora really knows how to work her body next to mine. It's such a turn on, but she doesn't make any move to kiss me only teases me with her hips grinding. I excuse myself to get something to drink in the kitchen and that is where I meet Maddie and I know I can always count on her when I need to hook up, which I do right now.

Mateo

I see Cora standing alone in the living room. Zino is nowhere in sight so I make my way over to her. Her face lights up when she sees me.

"Hi, having fun?"

"No not really, my date disappeared", she tells me.

And since I know Zino I know he is probably hooking up with someone in one of the bedrooms.

"Aha, want to dance?"

Cora flashes me a surprised look.

"Do you really dance?" she teases.

"For you I'll dance the whole night." I'm putting on the charm.

"Maybe one dance."

Of course there is a slow song playing as we make our way to the makeshift dancefloor. Cora puts her arms around my neck and looks up at me with those juniper eyes. They affect me.

Zino

I come back from my make out session with Maddie only to see Cora in Mateo's arms on the dancefloor. Fucking hell, he is intentionally trying to fuck up my date with Cora. I make my way out on the dancefloor and tap him on the shoulder. As he is turns around, I let my fist connect with his face.

"She's my date!" I growl out.

Cora jumps away from us both, surprised.

"Then you shouldn't have hooked up with someone else", Mateo spits out, rubbing his chin.

I stare at him and then look at Cora who looks revolted and starts for the door.

"Cora, come back, he's lying", I call out over the music that's pumping all around us.

Mateo looks really smug about destroying my date with Cora.

"Is this the way you want to play it huh?"

Cora

I'm already at the door on my way out. Fuck, I don't even know where the hell I am. I grab this random guy at the door and ask him if he can take me home. He looks shocked but before he can even answer me Mateo takes my hand and drags me out to his car.

"Want to tell me what the fuck happened in there?" I demand.

"I should have told you about Zino. He's is a player and you should stay away from him", Mateo tells me.

"And what are you?" I ask. I should have known they were trouble from the start.

"I am, but I don't leave my date to hook up with someone else."

"Just take me home." I laugh harshly.