Not one of my best, but hey ho.
The next chapter shall be better 'cept you shall all feel sorry for Libby!

--

Café et fraises

Chapter Twelve

Fool

Matt hadn't meant to do it. One moment he was standing with Lucy, waiting for Pete outside his flat and the next thing he knew, his lips were pressed against hers.

But, at the same time, he had meant to do it. He'd been wanted to do it for weeks and this had been his chance as they stood alone making small talk. He ignored his thoughts on Bovver as he slipped his tongue against her mouth. He stumbled back when Lucy's blow stung his cheek.

'What the fuck do you think you're doing?' she hissed, but there was a shocked expression on her flushed face.

'Kissing you!' he replied, touching his cheek and wincing slightly. Lucy ran a hand through her hair.

'Don't you- are you – fucking 'ell, Matt! Haven't you noticed me and Bovver lately?'

'Yeah, but I didn't-'

'Don't stand there and tell me that you didn't think anything of it!'

'It was just a kiss,' Matt snapped back, looking angry. There was a moment's pause, before a movement caught his eye and he looked down the corridor. Bovver was stood at the end, looking at them. In fact, he looked a little lost. 'Shit,' Matt muttered.

Lucy caught sight of Bovver and shook her head, eyes wide. 'Bov, please…'

'He kissed you?' he replied, his jaw now set, eyes dark.

'Yes, I did,' Matt replied. Bovver strided towards him, grabbing the collar of Matt's shirt and slamming him against the wall. He slammed his head into Matt's nose, hearing the satisfying crack.

'No! Stop it! Bovver!' Lucy tugged on his arm as he swung his fist back to punch Matt in the stomach. Pete appeared in the doorway, face set as he took in what he was seeing. Then, he pushed Lucy out the way and grabbed Bovver.

'Mate, leave it,' he snarled, managing to pull Bovver of the Yank.

'Get the fuck off me,' he said to Pete before turning his thunderous gaze to Matt. 'If you ever even look in Lucy's fucking direction, you're fucking dead. Got that?' Matt wiped his nose with his sleeve, refusing to look at either of the bigger men. 'Are you fucking listening to me?' growled Bov, forcing himself forward. Pete grabbed his jacket and slammed his back against the wall.

'I said leave it!' Bov stared up at Pete, both unwilling to back down. Then, the dark haired man shook him off and moved away. Lucy wiped her eyes and hurried down to follow him.

'Fucking leave me alone,' Bovver hissed as he turned to her.

'No,' she replied, matching his pace. 'I… he kissed me, okay!'

'Did you lead him on or something?' Lucy flinched as if she had been hit.

'No! We were just chatting about the last match and he kissed me!' Bovver remained silent as they took the stairs down. 'Bovver… please.'

He shook his head with a weak shrug. He didn't say anything.

--

Pete ran a hand over his head, before turning to Matt. 'What the fuck did you do to piss him off?'

'Nothing,' Matt grumbled, straightening up while trying to stop the blood flowing from his bust lip and broken nose.

'No, Matt. You did something.' Matt looked up, meeting Pete's eyes.

'I kissed her.' It took a moment for Pete to register this.

'You what?'

'I kissed Lucy.'

'Why?'

'Because I think I love her.'

'Do us all a favour,' growled Pete, his eyes a shade darker, fists clenched. 'Don't think.' And he slammed his fist into Matt's face.

--

When Matt woke up, he ached like a son of a bitch. His face felt so sore and swollen, and when he went to look in the mirror, it was bruised and red, dried blood making patterns on his face.

Looking about Pete's apartment, he realized he was alone. He also realized that Bovver would have told the rest of the lads and they would be on his ass very soon.

He swallowed nervously. He had to get out of here. He couldn't go to Shannon's though; she'd probably freak out.

But still, he didn't want Bovver to get away with this. Why was it always them sort of guys who got the girls? It was like high school all over again, where the jocks get the girls and the ones that sat and worked hard did without.

Not this time.

Who did Bovver fear the most? Who would pay him back for not letting Matt get what he wanted? The name came to him which made Matt flush for even thinking it. Tommy Hatcher. Who else? He and Bovver had a history; that much was obvious. And… it was worth a try?

He just had to find Millwall leader.

--

Matt wished very much that he hadn't ventured so far into Millwall. He was just around the corner from the pub, but it just seemed so gloomy and dark here. Before he had time to turn around and head back, they were there.

They seemed to slink out of the shadows like a pack of hyenas. Tommy was in front, a playful smile on his lips, though his eyes were hard and cautious. Then, he paused in the middle of the road, opposite Matt.

'It's true,' he said. 'There is a little lost Yank wandering around Millwall.'

'Are you Tommy Hatcher?' Matt asked, his voice stupidly high. He cleared his throat, trying to hold Hatcher's gaze.

'How's Petey these days? And little Bov? Not seen them for a little while, I must say.'

'I need your help.' At his words, the rest of the firm burst out into laughter except Hatcher, though the smile never faded from his lips.

'You need our help?' he mused when the rest of them fell quiet. 'Why would we help you?'

'It's… I…'

'Spit it out, Yank,' Hatcher said, his patience getting shorter by the moment.

'I need to pay Bov back. Because…' Matt struggled to find the words. It all seemed pathetic now. Hatcher raised an eyebrow. 'He took something I wanted and now I want him to pay.' It fell quiet as Tommy continued to stare. Then, without removing his gaze from Matt, he said,

'David, Roy.' Two men stepped forward; one had light red hair, the other was bald. Matt stepped back, arms raised in protest, but they grabbed him anyway. Slamming him back into the wall and holding him still, Matt watched fearfully as Hatcher approached, flanked by the rest of his men.

'You want us to sort Bovver out for you?' he asked quietly. Matt gave a short nod, his body shaking in fear. Hatcher broke into a grin. 'You're a fool. Do you know that, Yank?'

'Yes,' Matt squeaked.

'It's a deal.' Matt stared back at him, wide-eyed.

'A deal?'

'Yeah, but you gotta give us something in return.'

'Anything,' Matt replied, just wishing to get out of there.

'You see,' began Hatcher, taking a step back. 'We don't let Yanks just wander all over our town. And, it wouldn't be fair if we didn't give you what we gave them.' He gave a curt nod to his men, before turning and walking away.

And suddenly, Matt found himself surrounded. And there was no way he could get out.

--

Serves him right, the noob.