Page 105 of Pucking Matt
“You’re right, but I need you to promise.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “I promise. Are you pregnant?”
“Mom, don’t start assuming things, please. I am about to tell you. Okay, so do you remember the girl that attacked me in high school?”
“Of course, I remember her. What about her?” Her tone is flat and annoyed. She’s not going to like what comes next.
“I’m bringing her this weekend.”
“That’s your girlfriend?” she asks. “Matthew.”
“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s far from what you’re thinking, mom. She’s great. We had a rough patch when we reconnected, but she apologized. I apologized–”
“What did you apologize for?” she scoffs. “Do you have any idea what this girl is about?”
I nod. “I provoked her, so I apologized for the mean things I said. It takes two to tango, mom. I wasn’t innocent even though you insisted I was, but we’re past that now. She’s coming this weekend, and I need you to be nice.”
“Nice? You expect me to be nice?”
“Yes. It’s in the past. I want to keep it there. She means a lot to me, mom.”
My mom is laughing, and I’m staring at my notebook. Maybe Amber was right. There are seven billion people in the world, and why did I choose her to be my fake girlfriend for the weekend? She’s the perfect distraction, I admit. Amber was right about our relationship summing up to competing and pranking. And maybe I don’t know her as well as I should, but this weekend is going to change that.
“Matthew, you have so much to learn about life and love, but if that’s the kind of person you choose to be with, I have to warn you. I’m not happy about what she did to you in high school, and you’re right, I’m not happy to hear that she’s your girlfriend. Well, I guess that story’s for another day because I have to get off the phone in a minute. Do you swear that she won’t start anything at my wedding?”
“Mom, it happened like five years ago. You’re going to love her, I swear. But I need you to have fresh eyes. She’s good for me. You’ll see.”
“I hope so, Matt. I will see you this weekend. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
She hangs up the phone and I’m left staring at my desk. She never remembers about my hockey games, and it’s a shame that a big part of my life is easily forgotten by her. Whatever though, I exhale. Nothing new. Same shit, different day. So much for being a mommy’s boy.
Matt: I have a game tomorrow if you’re free
Amber: You broke our streak of simple texts.
Amber: (Screenshot)
Amber: I was enjoying that
Matt: I had to break it to invite you to my game tomorrow
Matt: I told my mom you’re my girlfriend. Everything’s good. She’s okay with it.
Amber: (Laughing emoji) There’s no fucking way she was okay with me being your girlfriend
Matt: She actually laughed, but she said if I’m happy then she’s happy
Amber: And are you happy?
Amber: In this fake relationship?
Matt: The happiest I’ve ever been, baby
Matt: Come to my game tomorrow
Amber: I can come to your game tomorrow, baby
