Page 28 of Keep Me

Raising my hands, I knew it looked bad, but I didn’t have time to explain why my ex was stalking me. I needed to speak to Britt before anyone else got to her.

I brushed past Olana on my way out. She tried to grab my hand, but I shook her off and headed for a quiet corner.

Britt’s contact picture filled Lyss’s phone screen, and I couldn’t help but smile. This girl was everything I wanted, and I needed her to know that.

I clicked the green call button and brought the phone to my ear.

“Hey Lyss. What’s up?” Her voice was lower than usual, but that could have been because she was at the airport.

“Britt? It’s Matty.”

She was silent for a beat, then I heard some ruffling.

“Oh, hey Matty,” she said brightly, sounding a little more like her usual self. “I’m just—”

I pulled the phone away to look at the screen and the call had failed. I called again, but she didn’t answer. Maybe it was because she was getting on the plane.

When her voicemail came through, I left a message.

“Britt. It’s Matty. I’m on Alyssa’s phone because mine died. I, uh…” My hand was shaking, so I ran it through my hair. “I guess you’re boarding the plane, so you can’t talk. I’m, uh, sorry I didn’t get back into your room last night.” I glared at my hand, picking at my fingernails. It felt wrong to be talking about this over the phone instead of directly to her.

“Some stupid shit went down. Doesn’t change how I feel about you, though, so please don’t take that as some kind of rejection.” I winced. Why the fuck would I say that? She knew it wasn’t rejection. I declared my undying love for her too many times for her not to see that. “Anyway. Have a safe flight and call me when you’ve landed. I should have signal by then.”

I cut my gaze to the table, and Olana was pointing at Aiden and yelling. Rolling my eyes, I knew if I didn’t intervene, then things would get messy.

“I’m in Vegas for the rest of the day, and I’m planning on getting a charger after breakfast. Hopefully that means I’ll be back in action by the time you land. Give me a call.” I paused, my stomach knotting because there was so much more I wanted to say. “I miss you,” I choked out, and cleared my throat. “Jackson said you’re heading to the baseball game tonight. Is Max playing? I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at Britt’s picture for a second too long, trying my best to memorize it. That smile. The little mole on her cheek. Those blue eyes. Everything about her was perfect, and I couldn’t wait until I could explain everything and have her back in my arms.

It wouldn’t be long. I just had to wait for her flight to land.

Chapter 7

2 months later

Dear Spillit,

My boyfriend and I have been together for years, but I can tell he’s losing interest. What can I do to spice things up?

From Minktoast

Dear Minktoast,

Relationships are tough, even tougher when the strains of college are factored in. If you’re certain it’s just a rut, then I’d recommend…

What the hell would I recommend?

“Sienna!” I hollered over the desk in the newsroom to my raven-haired friend. She rolled her chair around and dipped her chin so she could look at me from over her glasses. “I need your help.What would you do to spice up a long-term relationship?”

With the question piquing her interest, she popped off her chair and made her way to me even though it was just the two of us. She rested her butt against my desk and gave me an amusedsmile. “How would I know? The longest relationship I’ve ever had is with my manicurist, and I get a new one each time.” She flicked her nails, admiring the pristine white polish and their perfect square edge, then narrowed her eyes at me.

“Helpful,” I said before skimming my fingers across the keyboard, hoping I would suddenly be inspired to write something.

Sienna leaned in. “Why are you asking? Are you in a secret relationship that you’re trying to spice up or something?”

I rolled my eyes. My track record in relationships was just as embarrassing as hers at this point. “No. It’s forSpillit.”

“Ah, that makes more sense. Subtlety isn’t your strong point.”

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