Page 40 of XOXO

I didn’t mean to sound harsh, the panic shocked my system. If Matteo found out about this, our friendship would never be the same.

“Gomdori,” he chastised me. “Don't let this ruin your friendship. Now that I think about it, you guys make sense together. If there was anyone to make Matteo settle down, it’d be you.”

“Brother,” I whispered. “I don’t think you’re thinking right.”

“I think you’re ruining your friendship more by staying silent,” he said. “This girl has messed both of you up and for what? Lack of communication?”

“I like her,” I groaned. “He’s the one acting weird. He’s making me feel guilty for moving on.”

“Gomdori.”

“Ruwon,” I said, getting frustrated. “Look, what if I say something and it ruins the friendship? What if we can't come back from it?”

“Then you don’t know Matteo like I thought you did,” he stated.

I didn’t know how to respond to that because I thought I knew Matteo very well, but if I couldn’t trust our friendship, maybe I didn’t know him at all.

“Levi.” Ruwon’s voice was gentle.

“I’m scared,” I whispered.

“Matteo won’t let your friendship go. You think he’s going to turn his back on you?”

“I want to say no, but I’m too scared to take that chance,” I said, feeling my phone vibrate.

“Ok, I won’t push you,” he said. “I love you guys and I want the best for you, even if you think you don’t deserve it.”

“I know,” I sighed. “How have you been?”

“Good, glad I came with my mother,” he said, sounding better than he did last time.

“Are the Queens spoiling you? Fattening you up?” I teased.

He laughed. “Yeah, I’m too buff now. Mama Maya and your father keep making me food and having me taste all this wine, it’s such a burden.”

“Good, you needed it,” I said, feeling more affection for the friendship between all our parents.

“Yeah, I⁠—”

“Mijo, are you ready!?” Matteo’s mother Maya yelled.

“Yeah I am!” he yelled back.

“I’ll let you go,” I said, feeling better, even if I felt nauseous that he knew about my feelings about Matteo.

“If you have time, stop by the coast. Your father would love that,” he said.

“If I finish early I will,” I said, hearing my father amongst our mothers. “Tell my dad I love him.”

“Ok, I will. Think about talking to Matteo. He will surprise you, I’m sure of it. Love you, Gomdori.”

“Love you too, brother.”

I ended the call lighter and a little less worried. If Ruwon knew my feelings, did that mean Matteo might know too? Was this why he always had women over so I knew he was unavailable? My phone vibrated again and I smiled instantly.

XOXO22 - Yeah I made it safely to Amsterdam.

XOXO22 - I’m sorry I left in the middle of the night again. I thought it was the right thing to do, but now I feel like an ass and I never thanked you for a great weekend. When I saw you, I was getting ready to leave, so thank you for giving me another few days I won’t ever forget.