Page 111 of Keep Me

The waves had calmed, and as I looked at children playing on the sand below, the future I wanted flashed before me. One where Britt and I would play with our kids out on this beach. We’d tell them how we met, and we’d roast marshmallows just like the day we met.

I wanted it so badly I could almost taste the sticky, sweet treat.

When my phone alarm went off, I jumped into action.

It was go-time.

I needed to be on that field and ready to play for my life. It was a regular game against one of our rivals, but it was the most important one for me because it was the game I would finally win Britt back for good.

“Moving out?” Tanner asked as we walked through the tunnel to the field. His helmet was half on, and his hair was sticking out at the ends, but he didn’t look hurt by the news, more intrigued.

“Yeah,” I eased out. “I’m sorry. I wanted to speak to you about it myself, but I’m guessing Thea told you after she found me looking at property listings the other day.”

“Not Thea. Jackson.”

“Shit. You both know?” He nodded. “I’m sorry. It’s just, you know my family situation. I really can’t move home after college, and I kind of wanted to get my life in order before graduation.”

“Makes sense. You’re a married man now, after all.” He winked. “Isn’t the saying ‘happy wife, happy life’?”

“That’s what I’m hoping for.” My smile faded because I missed my wife. Two weeks without hearing her voice had been torture. We needed the time apart, though. I needed to figure out my plan to try to win Britt back, and she needed time to decide if she wanted me.

“Too soon? Sorry, I just never thought you’d be the first one to get married out of all of us.”

“I wasn’t. Devin beat me to it by around eight hours.”

“Devin doesn’t count since I never lived with him.”

“Who’d you think would get married first, then? Adam?”

Tanner frowned, thinking it over, and then it hit me.

“Oh, shit. Did you mean you?”

He kept his lips sealed, but the glint in his eyes told me the answer.

“Wow, T. I knew you liked Aster, but I didn’t realize you were that serious. You’re still in college.”

“Could say the same thing about you,” he teased. “I’m not planning on asking her to marry me this year, but I am going to try my chances in the draft this spring. Once I’m established on a team, I don’t want to waste any time.”

“You like Aster that much?”

“Iloveher,” he emphasized. “I don’t want her thinking I want anyone else.”

I stared at my friend in awe as players walked past us in the tunnel before slapping him on the shoulder, feeling the hard padding underneath his jersey. “Good for you, man.”

He chuckled before looking down at the floor. “Yeah, well, she doesn’t know anything about it, yet. Figured she’d think I was crazy if I mentioned it.”

“Is she out there tonight?”

He looked up to the stands. “Always. She hates the game, but she loves watching me play.”

“Well, I’m happy for you. You deserve it. Aster would be one lucky girl to get a guy as good as you.”

He smiled, his cheeks tinging red. “Could say the same thing about Britt and you.”

“We’ll see.” I didn’t want to jinx it. “And just so you know, I might be moving out, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stiff you guys on the rent. I committed to two more semesters, and I’m depositing that amount to the landlord this week.”

“Matty, you don’t have to do that. We can find someone else.”

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