Charles couldn't hold back a laugh as they walked out. "That's childish," he said.
Frank shrugged with a grin. "Yeah… but it's satisfying."
They both laughed as they watched Matteo carry his true prize out into the afternoon sun.
Matteo carried Adrian to the car, opened the back door, and settled him carefully onto the seat, leaving the door open with both his legs still outside.
Matteo remained where he was, standing outside as he leaned in to check his ankle.
But the moment he reached for him, Adrian's expression changed, his softness gone, replaced by sudden defiance.
Adrian shoved Matteo backward, his face flushed with a mixture of pain and hot, irrational anger. "Cheater! You're such a bad, pathetic cheater!"
Matteo blinked, genuinely bewildered as he pulled back. "What are you talking about? Rian, stay still. I need to check your ankle."
"Don't touch me!" Adrian snapped, his eyes blazing. "You're not even attractive, you're nothing but a cheap, lying cheater!"
