Page 90 of Polo Fever
‘Okay, stop it,’ I cut in sharply, holding up my hands, ‘I don’t—’
‘You knownothingabout her,’ Mateo seethes.
‘I know that she deserves better than you. No wonder she’s thinking about moving to the DQ yard, somewhere she’d be valued.’
‘What?’ My jaw drops open. ‘I’m not thinking that! Basilio, that’s completely—’
‘How long are you going to drag this on for, Mateo? How long are you going to lead her on until you break her heart?’ he says, taking a step closer to Mateo, whose chin is lifted and fists clenched, the two of them facing off and drawing attention from the other guests now. ‘We both know the relationship is past the point of saving. It’s always the same with you, isn’t it.’
I watch Mateo’s jaw tick. Eric and Malcolm have caughtwhiff of something going on and come casually strolling over, ready to intervene. Lady M glances over mid-conversation and a flicker of concern crosses her expression.
‘Guys,please,’ I plead, cheeks flushing at being the focal point of a scene.
‘Don’t talk about me and Ash again,’ Mateo growls, low and threatening, ignoring me.
‘Or what?’ Basilio scoffs, bringing his face closer. ‘Or what, Mateo?’
‘Come on, mate,’ Eric says quietly at Mateo’s shoulder, taking his arm in an attempt to pull him back but Mateo shakes him off, his eyes locked on Basilio.
‘You’re pathetic,’ Basilio sneers, looking him up and down. ‘As pathetic now as you were when you first arrived at Rossi’s. Never quite making the mark. I proved it to you yet again today. No matter how good you get, you’ll never be the player you want to be. The playershewanted you to be.’
Mateo flinches, pain and horror flashing in his eyes. He grabs the lapels of Basilio’s jacket in his fists, dragging him towards him. A ripple of gasps floods through the party.
‘Mateo, no!’ I cry, grabbing one of his arms as Eric places his hand on the other. ‘Stop.Please.Stop it.’
‘He’s not worth it,’ Eric hisses through gritted teeth. ‘Come on, man, there are patrons here. Let him go.’
After a moment of roaring silence, during which everyone holds their breath, Mateo relaxes his grip on Basilio’s jacket, releasing him. Malcolm pats Mateo on the back and Eric nods, while I feel dizzy with relief. I try to take his hand but he bats all of us away. Basilio laughs, straightening his jacket and running a hand through his hair.
His jaw tense and his chest rising with a long, deep breath, Mateo slowly turns around and starts to walk away, making it clear he doesn’t want anyone with him.
‘Yes, off you go, Mateo,’ Basilio taunts, unable to leave well enough alone, ‘and don’t worry. I’ll take care of Ash.’
Mateo stops in his tracks.Oh no.
Basilio sneers triumphantly.
‘I’ll show her what it’s like to be a real man, not a lost little fuck-up of a boy still trying to make his mummy proud.’
Spinning round, Mateo strides back over to him, swings his arm back and, before anyone can intervene, punches Basilio square in the jaw so hard, he stumbles backwards and, with a yelp, tumbles into the lagoon with a loud splash. I clasp my hands over my mouth in shock, gasps and cries come up from our captivated audience, and Eric groans as Basilio splutters and coughs, wiping his face with his hands as he finds his footing beneath the water.
‘You fucking—’ Basilio begins, but Mateo cuts him off, standing by the edge and pointing a finger down at him.
‘Don’t ever talk about my mother again.Ever,’ he says, before he shakes his hand out and storms away, the crowd of guests parting to make way for him as he leaves.
Thirty
‘Mateo, wait,’ I call out, trying to keep up with his strides as I follow him in my heels out of the club and onto the road.
He finally stops, burying his face in his hands and letting out a cry of frustration. He runs his hands through his hair before dropping them despondently to his sides. The pause gives me time to catch up and step round to face him, my breath coming thick and fast as my heart pounds hard against my chest, shock and adrenaline pumping through my veins.
‘I shouldn’t have punched him,’ he says, looking pained and glancing down at his knuckles, flushed pink from the contact with Basilio’s jaw. ‘There were important people in that party. I should have walked away.’
‘Just… take a moment to calm down,’ I advise as he shakes his head, pacing back and forth.
‘I’m fine.’
‘Clearly, you’re not.’
