Page 83 of Keep Me

I glared at Erik, hating that he’d act like that about Matty. He didn’t get it. No one did, and I was usually okay with that, but I didn’t need anyone adding any snark about a guy who was clearly in a bad situation.

I stepped away from Erik, and Matty dropped his gaze to the floor.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Britt, I need to talk to you.” He was acting strange, and it wasn’t just because I thought he might be drunk. There was something else going on. He wasn’t acting like the Matty I was used to seeing, and I didn’t know how to react to it. In my heart, Iwanted to hug him and tell him that whatever he’s going through will be fine, but my brain told me that was a stupid idea. The guy had a pregnant fiancée back home, and somehow, I was still thinking there was potential for us.

I was fooling myself, and it was making me tired. I didn’t want to be like this. I deserved more. But Iwantedhim.

Matty reached his hand out to me, but Erik pushed it to the side, blocking me from view.

“You know, I really think you should have at least three glasses of water before you speak to her,” he said, standing up for me, and I didn’t know how I felt about it. I didn’t need Erik’s protection, but I was thankful there was someone else here trying to talk some sense into Matty.

His actions were odd. Matty drank, but he didn’t get drunk, especially at important events like this. Something happened. I just didn’t know what.

Matty didn’t even register Erik’s voice. He stepped to the side so he could see me and patiently waited for my answer.

I glanced around the ball, noticing we were attracting attention, and even though I knew a showdown with Matty was coming, I didn’t want to have it here in front of every elite athlete in the school.

“I think we’re good,” I said to Matty. I didn’t know what else to do.

Clenching his jaw, Matty shook his head, in frustration. I wasn’t going to give into him tonight. One of us needed to stop this endless cycle between us, and it seemed like it would have to be me.

“Really? Because I think we’ve got a hell of a lot to talk about.” Matty wasn’t going to give up, and things only got worse when Sienna came over and placed a hand on my arm.

“Everything okay?” she asked, looking genuinely concerned.Great. Our audience was growing.

Everyone stared at me, expecting me to say something, but I didn’t know what to do. My cheeks flushed, and my breathing became labored. I didn’t want all these people watching and judging us while we tried to talk things through.

Matty stepped forward, but Erik blocked his way again.

“Hey, man. Did you not just hear what I said?” Erik asked. As much as I hated to admit it, I got the tiniest of flutters in my stomach over this big, hulking hockey player doing his best to defend my honor. The problem was, I wasn’t sure I needed to be defended from Matty.

“I need to speak to Britt,” Matty gritted out, but Erik refused to move, and every time Matty took a step, Erik would follow.

“Like I said before, go get a glass of water before talking to her. Get yourself together. You’re not going to accomplish what you think acting like this.”

Matty pushed past Erik and stumbled his way toward me. His hand reached for me, but I backed away. “No, neither of you get it. Britt, I really need to talk to you.”

I shook my head, turning away, and Sienna was by my side in an instant.

“Get off me. I need to speak to her.” I didn’t look back even though I could hear jostling behind me.

“And she doesn’t want to talk to you until you’ve sobered up. So, I suggest you leave her alone before I call security.”

“She’s mywife. I need to speak to my wife.”

“Wife?” Sienna asked, confused, staring at me with so many questions. “What’s he talking about, B?”

“Are youmarriedto this asshole?” Erik asked.

My entire body went stiff, and I stared at the back of the bar, refusing to look at Sienna. Or at Erik, for that matter. I was sure they’d have more questions. Questions I wouldn’t be able to answer because I kind of thought that night in Vegas was a feverdream and hadn’t actually happened, but unfortunately, reality was slapping me in the face right now.

“Yes,” I mumbled before closing my eyes and waited for the chaos to ensue.

Chapter 18

Three Months Ago

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