Page 108 of Keep Me
“Matty and I haven’t talked about it. I haven’t really seen him since the night after the Players’ Ball, and when he texts, it’s only vague promises.”
She raised her brows, quirking an amused smile. “Vaguesexypromises?”
“No. Just things like he’s absolutely committed to this working between us, and he had a plan. One he hasn’t shown me yet.”
Sienna shivered. “Oh, wow. I wonder what he’s going to do.” Her voice was wistful. “Maybe he’s got some huge romantic gesture planned.”
“I’m not sure what could be more romantic than divorce papers.”
“Hey.” She pushed my side. “Come on. You’ve got to see the funny side, otherwise you’ll never get out of this funk. You married your best friend, and you’ve now got the chance to figure it out together.”
“I guess. It’s just not really how I envisaged being married. I thought I’d at least be dating the guy, and it would have been nice to have one of those sentimental proposals. With Matty and me, it’s not like that. It never can be. Not after everything,”
I stopped talking as my breath hitched. Saying those things out loud made it feel like I was finally facing my reality. Matty and I didn’t have the long-term love. Yes, we were best friends, but I wanted to feel the butterflies. To wonder if he was feeling the same way I was. To be surprised when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. To have my family there to see me walk down the aisle to the one man I couldn’t live without.
I tried to force myself into the harsh reality that Matty wasn’t that, but as I stared at the divorce papers, something stopped me from signing them. Hope. I guessed it was hope that we might be able to turn into that.
Hearing the words “But you’re my wife” fall out of his mouth when he was talking to people made me hot and sad at the same time. How did he have such a hold on my emotions without trying?
“Big game tonight,” Sienna said, then I realized I’d been lost in my own thoughts for so long that she decided to change the subject. “Your first full-time broadcasting gig. I still can’t believe they are letting you host the entire game. It’s being played on Chally Sports, and my little Brittany is going to be fronting it.”She looked up to the sky wistfully, and for those few seconds, I couldn’t help but feel like my problems weren’t so bad.
“Yeah, my brothers are really excited for me.”
“What about you? Areyouexcited?” she asked.
“Of course I am. It’s essentially an audition to be part of the broadcasting team, and if I can get in there to even intern, I’d be so happy.”
“You will.”
She was always so confident in me. After everything that happened over the last month, I felt broken, but I was going to try my hardest. “I hope so. There are plenty of people looking for a place on one of their teams. It’s just a matter of standing out.”
“Aaand there are plenty of teams needing dedicated sports fanatics to root them on. This is huge for you. I can just feel it.”
“Thanks,” I muttered before biting my bottom lip. That was another thing I didn’t want to think too much about.
“Am I going to finally meet your infamous family?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows with a smirk.
I rolled my eyes. This was exactly why I didn’t like to share much information about my brothers with people. Yes, announcers liked to talk about the Brennon brothers as though they were just as popular and hot as the Hemsworths, but they were still my brothers, and seeing anyone objectify them creeped me out. “My mom and my brother Sam are coming tonight. The other two, Max and Bryce, have games, so they can’t make it.”
“But this is their baby sister’s first TV broadcasting gig, how could they miss out on that?”
“They’re contracted to be in a certain place at certain times. They couldn’t be here even if they wanted to. The only reason Sam’s allowed to be around is because he hurt his wrist. Besides, it’s not that big of a deal.”
Her jaw dropped. “Not that big of a deal? You’re the first female student to be given the gig, but it’s not a big deal. Come on.It’s like you’re not even excited.” She shook my shoulders, and I smiled.
“I’m excited. I’m just nervous, I guess.”
“Why? You know more than most of the players out there, you look perfect, and you haven’t even dressed for it yet. You’ve got this.”
“Thanks. I guess I’m just concerned that the first time I’m going to see Matty in almost two weeks could be interviewing him after the game.”
“You haven’t seen him in two weeks?”
“No. In the haze of everything, I told him we needed to take things slow, and he’s taking that commitment seriously.”
She took in a sharp breath. “It’ll be fine. I’m sure. What’s the worst he could do? You’re already married to him, it’s not like he’s going to repropose to you at the end after scoring a game-winning kick.” I hadn’t thought about that. Not only would that ruin my credibility, but I’d have to explain so much to my mom and Sam. So much I hadn’t figured out myself yet.
“Don’t freak out,” she said, clasping my shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “I’m sure everything will be fine.”
