Page 71 of Keep Me

“Matty.”

“Beanie Girl, you can correct me all you want, but when I’ve christened someone with a new name, that’s what I’m sticking with.”

I adjusted my bag and looked at him with unease, not wanting to answer that question.

“Why does it matter?”

With his hands stuffed in his pockets, he leaned back, letting out an uneasy smile. “If you’re going to the Players’ Ball, Marty’s going and, well, I’m going too.”

“Oh, yeah,” I said meekly.

“I’m guessing Marty thinks we’re still ‘dating,’ right?”

“Yeah,” I drawled out. “I was going to tell him that we’d broken up, but I haven’t seen him long enough to talk about that.” It was a white lie, but I couldn’t exactly say I didn’t have time to tell him because Matty was threatening to use a dildo on me.

“Now, why would you do something as silly as that?”

“Because we aren’t actually dating.”

“As you’ve said several times. Doesn’t mean we can’t keep messing with the idiot that hasn’t chosen you yet.”

“He’s not an idiot, and I really don’t like you saying that.” Mainly because it technically wasn’t true. Matty had made itclear countless times he wanted me, but he was having a kid, which meant there wasn’t room for me.

Erik raised his hands. “Sorry. You’re right, I didn’t mean to offend you, or him. I’m just trying to help you out, so let me start again. Would you like to go to the Players’ Ball with me, Britt?”

“Even though the offer is very nice, I think it’s best that we put a stop to this. It’s not benefiting anyone.”

“Okay, I get it. But how about this? If you get stuck in any difficult conversations, you just call me over, and I’ll be happy to help.”

“That sounds like a good plan.” I smiled, happy that there didn’t seem to be any animosity between us.

“Oh, I just thought, the room is large, you might have a hard time finding me. You know what? You’ll probably have to text me. So, I guess I’ll need your number.” He tried to look nonchalant, but his smirk grew wider.

“My number?”

“Yeah, you know, just in case you need me to help you out, or if I need to talk to you about football. Sienna tells me you’re a big fan.”

“She’s not wrong.”

“Baseball too?”

“Yup.”

“Gah,” he said, looking up to the sky and shaking his fist. “Why didn’t I pick baseball over hockey in high school?”

I laughed. “Because clearly you’re awesome at hockey.”

“Let’s be honest, I’d be great at any sport I put my mind to. But if I’d have known one of the prettiest girls on campus would only look at me if I knew how to handle balls instead of pucks, maybe I would have gone down that route.”

I rolled my eyes. “What a line. Does that normally work for you?”

“Honestly? No one else makes me work this hard.”

“Is that why you’re desperately trying to get my attention?”

“Nah. Sienna just thought we’d hit it off, and she mentioned you a couple of times. She also told me I should persevere before giving up.”

“Wait, she said that?”

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