28. Frankie

Hours later,I'm behind the bar, and Tori sits across from me, our books long forgotten. They are packed away because I have to work, and Tori is waiting for her mom to get off. It's slow for a Friday night, and Tori is tipsy, her demeanor slightly unfocused and relaxed.

She hiccups, her brows drawing low. "Girl code is weird."

"How so?" I fling a towel over my shoulder and lean back against the bar. There is only one other person at this bar, an older regular who didn't want to deal with how loud others were in the other room.

Not like I'd know, because I've never had a female friend. Well, at least not one hell-bent on using me.

She takes a long swig before setting the glass down, her expression earnest. "It's like, there are all these rules meant to protect us, to keep friendships intact, but sometimes, I wonder if they complicate things more than they help."

I wipe down the bar top. "I'm not sure I follow all the rules. What are they exactly?"

Tori leans forward, counting off on her fingers. "Rule one, don't go after your friend's ex or crush. It's pretty straightforward. If your friend likes someone, that person should be off-limits to you."

"That one makes sense." I nod, thinking about the mess with Bishop.

She continues, "Rule two, keep secrets secret. Whatever you're told in confidence should stay between you and your friend, unless it's something harmful."

"Got it," I say, appreciating the simplicity but recognizing the potential for gray areas.

"Third, be honest, even if it hurts. If your friend asks for advice, you owe them the truth, gently. It should come from a place of love, not judgment."

"That can be tough, but I see the value in it," I admit.

Tori's list goes on. "Not everything is a competition. Support your friend without making it about outdoing them. Celebrate their wins as if they were your own."

I smile, liking the sound of that. "That's a good one."

"Absolutely," she agrees, then adds, "And about photos, only post ones where everyone looks good. It's about respect, not just chasing likes on social media."

I chuckle. "Social media complicates everything, doesn't it?" Ironic, because I don't have any social media.

"It does." Tori laughs, then she grows serious again. "There's more—like being able to laugh and be serious in the same conversation, providing unconditional support, sharing the spotlight, and not taking every jab personally."

I listen, absorbing each point. "Sounds comprehensive, but it also sounds like a lot to keep track of."

"It is," Tori concedes. "And then there's the last one, which we both broke, unfortunately. Breaking girl code isn't the end of a friendship, but failing to apologize is. It's about acknowledging when you've hurt each other and trying to make it right."

I nod, feeling the weight of her words. "That's the one that hits home tonight."

"Yeah." Tori sighs. "We've both screwed up, according to these rules, but we're here now, apologizing and talking. Maybe that's what really matters."

I lean back, considering all the rules she laid out. "These rules... They are supposed to guide us, right? Help us be better friends?"

"Exactly," she confirms. "They aren't laws, but guidelines to help us navigate the tricky parts of relationships."

"You know," I drawl, hoping to find a balance, "these rules aren't that weird or complicated at all. Perhaps it was the friends making it hard and complicated."

Tori's entire face falls as she thinks about what I just said, her mouth working as she blinks at me. "That is so profound."

I hide a smile, pleased with the moment of clarity we've reached. As the night progresses, the bar remains dimly lit, the soft chatter of the few patrons blending with the subtle notes of jazz playing in the background. This unlikely setting has facilitated a deeper understanding, one that might just be the foundation we needed to mend and possibly grow.

Luckily, I don't have to reply because the door jingles and a bunch of students come in. It's nearing ten, and the bar is getting busier by the minute.

Throughout the evening, I've felt an odd prickle of awareness on the back of my neck, as if someone's watching me. It's a sensation that's become all too familiar lately, ever since those strange encounters last month. Just as I'm pondering this, silently hoping it's just my imagination, Matteo walks in. The sight of him is reassuring, but it also creates a mix of emotions. I've been watching the door, half expecting trouble after recent events, and part of me wants Chloe or Amanda to show up just to see how Tori reacts under pressure. Will her support hold up when she's faced with them?

I glance at Tori, who is smiling behind her glass. The dim lights of the bar reflect softly in her eyes, giving her a mischievous look.

"What?" I whisper as I hand a beer to another patron.

"Nothing at all," she sings, a playful note in her voice.

"I'm cutting you off." I point at her, half tempted to give her another drink, but a part of me doesn't want her to puke.

Is this what friendship feels like?

"Hey!" She holds up her hands, laughing. "Tall, dark, and handsome over there has his eyes on you." She jerks her head toward Matteo, who steps behind the bar, grabs a stool, and just sits there.

"What the hell is he doing?" I hiss. He and Leo have been so busy over the last couple of weeks with rugby that I only see them in passing or in class, and a part of me misses them.

Tori leans over the bar to clumsily whisper in my ear. "He wants you."

"Sit down before I have to take you to the hospital." I push her back gently.

Snorting, she grumbles, "Shifters don't need hospitals."

I snap my head around to look at her. "What?"

"Gem," Matteo calls to me.

"Go get that dick, girl!" she cheers.

It's such a one-eighty with her that I have no idea how to handle the switch aside from hoping like hell she remembers this entire conversation in the morning, which she very well might not.

Stepping over to Matteo, I ignore the people at my bar begging for drinks and ask, "What the hell are you doing back here?"

He slowly turns his intense gaze to me. "Watching you."

Shouldn't he be at a game? It's Friday.

"Caught on to that." I cross my arms. "You can't be back here."

"I can."

Andy walks through the door, looking at me then Matteo.

I speak before she can kick him out. "Andy, I'm sorry, but he?—"

"Is your new bodyguard," she finishes.

"I'm sorry, I'm going to need you to repeat that." I'm not sure I can hide the shock on my face, even if I wanted to.

"No more incidents," Andy glares at me. "My sister had to write me up for your shenanigans."

"You support my shenanigans," I reply, perhaps whining a little.

"And I will always support your shenanigans. That is why Matteo here will carry anyone being a dick out to the road where you can complete your shenanigans without me getting a violation."

Tori's laughter cuts through my surprise, bringing me back to the present moment. Her cheeks are flushed from the alcohol, but her eyes sparkle with mischief. "Hey, speaking of shenanigans, are you coming to the lunar eclipse party here on the winter solstice?" she asks, waving her now empty glass in the air as if to emphasize the occasion.

"The lunar eclipse party?" I repeat, the notion temporarily pushing the absurdity of having a bodyguard to the back of my mind.

"Yeah, it's going to be epic," Tori slurs, her enthusiasm undamped by her tipsiness. "Everyone's coming. Well, everyone except Chloe and Amanda," she adds, her tone dipping into seriousness for just a moment before she brightens again. "It's the perfect time to let loose, and with Matteo here, no one's going to mess with you."

I glance at Matteo, who offers a smile, his presence oddly reassuring despite the bizarre circumstances. "Sounds like it could be fun," I concede, trying to match Tori's enthusiasm.

"Great! It's a date then. Not like a date date, but you know what I mean." Tori winks, her earlier reservations seemingly washed away by the promise of future fun.

As the night progresses, the bar begins to empty, leaving me to close up with Matteo silently shadowing my movements. He moves with a quiet efficiency, watching over me with a keen eye. Every now and then, his gaze meets mine, and each time, I'm struck by the intensity there. It's as if he sees right through the facade I put up for the rest of the world.

"So a bodyguard, huh?" I venture, breaking the silence between us as I wipe down the counter for the last time. Tori left with her mom not too long ago.

"Looks like it," Matteo responds, his voice low and smooth, a hint of amusement lacing his words.

"And you're okay with that?" I ask, genuinely curious about how one ends up in such a role.

Matteo shrugs, a small smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "It isn't just about guarding your body," he says, stepping closer. "It's about ensuring you're safe, and that's something I'm very good at."

The air between us crackles with unspoken tension as he leans in, his face inches from mine. "Besides, watching you isn't exactly a hardship."

I blush, his forwardness both alarming and appealing. "Well, I guess it's good to have someone watching my back," I reply, boldly meeting his gaze.

"That's the idea," he confirms, straightening up as he glances around the now quiet bar. "And I'll be at the eclipse party too. You know, just to make sure everything goes smoothly."

"That's reassuring," I reply, the idea of the upcoming party suddenly seeming a lot more exciting with the promise of Matteo's presence. His protective demeanor and unexpected charm adds an intriguing layer to the evening's prospects.

"Now, let's get back to the dorms," he says, his voice dropping a notch, hinting at something more—an unspoken invitation or perhaps a warning? It's hard to tell, but it makes my heart skip a beat.

"How exactly did you get here?" I cross my arms and cock out a hip.

"Got a ride," he replies casually, standing close enough that I have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. I'm surprised to discover that his size doesn't bother me at all. Instead, it feels... reassuring, like having a personal fortress against the world.

"Oh, you two!" Andy calls from the front, her voice slicing through the thick tension around us. "I'll lock up behind you."

Matteo smirks, a playful yet mischievous expression that seems to light up his eyes. He leans down to whisper in my ear, his breath warm against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. "I'm looking forward to the eclipse party," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me. "It'll be interesting to see you outside of this... bar environment."

His words linger in the air, thick with implication. As we step outside, the cool night air provides a stark contrast to the warmth of his proximity. The street is dimly lit, the lampposts casting shadows on the pavement.

We walk in silence for a few moments, the only sounds the rhythmic tapping of our shoes against the sidewalk. The night feels alive, charged with an electric tension that seems to pull tighter with each step we take.

"So how did you end up as my bodyguard?" I finally ask, breaking the silence. My curiosity about his sudden role in my life is nagging at me, intertwining with the fluttering excitement his presence stirs within me.

Matteo looks over at me, his expression thoughtful. "Let's just say Andy thinks you might need someone to watch your back more than you realize," he says, his tone serious. "And I agree."

I hum under my breath as I unlock my car and turn back to look at him. Déjà vu settles over me.

"You've been watching me from the beginning of the semester, haven't you?" I look at the dark corner where I vividly remember him hiding.

Matteo leans against the car, his posture relaxed, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He watches me for a moment, amusement flickering in his eyes, before responding in a tone that blends flirtation and mystery.

"Maybe I have, maybe I haven't," he says. "Let's just say I've always been around, keeping an eye out. You know, just in case trouble decided to find you first."

He pushes off of the car and takes a step closer, his presence imposing yet strangely comforting. "But don't worry," he continues, his voice softer now as he leans in. "I'm not just a shadow in the corner. I'm here whenever you need me, and maybe even when you don't think you do."

Oh…