As Lucas prepared to leave for a night out with his friends, he found his girlfriend engrossed in her phone. "Okay, baby, I'm heading out with my friends," he said, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek.

"Okay, bye," she replied absentmindedly, her eyes glued to the screen.

He paused, confusion creeping into his expression. Without another word, he gently took the phone out of her hand.

"Hey!" she exclaimed, trying to snatch it back.

"I said, I was heading out 'with my friends,'" he repeated, emphasizing each word as he stared into her eyes, searching for a reaction.

"Yeah, I heard you the first time. Now go," she replied, slightly annoyed and avoiding his gaze.

Lucas's face hardened as he stood up straight, a frown forming. "Are you cheating on me?" he asked out of the blue, his voice tinged with hurt and suspicion.

"What?!" she yelled, dropping her phone in shock. "No! Why would you even think that?"

"Screw this!" he muttered, his jaw clenched. Without another word, he sat down beside her, pulling her into his arms with a firm yet gentle grip.

"What about your friends?" she asked, flustered by the sudden shift in his demeanor.

"They'll understand," he replied, burying his face into her shoulder, his breath warm against her neck. "I just... I need to know you're here with me, that you're not slipping away."