Chapter 17
Beth
I refresh the Bluewater results page again. We’re sitting inside the clubhouse, anxiously awaiting the final score announcement. The unofficial leaderboard has Matthew tied for eighth, with fourteen under par. Two more players are finishing Hole 18, both with scores close to Matthew’s.
My phone buzzes from comments on my last video of Matthew’s final wave after his last great shot, right before I jumped into his arms. My stomach flutters as I replay the moment he spun me around with his green eyes so close to mine. Rule #4: No Feelings is crumbling right in front of me.
Maggie and Alison are chatting across from us, while I reply to Matthew’s fans. It’s so sweet how they’re cheering Matthew on for this big win. I lean in to show him the comments when I notice his leg bouncing, and instinctively, I rest my hand on his knee.
Another player’s score pops up onto the screen, fifteen under par. My heart sinks a little as Matthew’s name moves down to ninth place.
He gives me a soft smile. “It’ll hold,” he says.
“Shouldn’t I be the one comforting you?” I squeeze his knee.
“You are, just by being here with me.”
He intertwines his fingers with mine. His thumb circles the back of my hand, reminding me of the first night at my parents’ house, when the weight of our arrangement hit me. Look at us now. Matthew’s career is thriving, on the brink of his dreams becoming a reality. In just one month, I’ll be back in Meadowbrook running Elevate Marketing full-time.
A strange pain begins to fill my chest. I’ve known from the start that our time together had an expiration date, but he’s more than just a client or a fake boyfriend now. He’s more than this exhilarating adventure we’ve been on together. He’s become an important person in my life. Maybe even the most important person in my life.
His hand tightens around mine. “Regardless of what happens, Beth, I want you to know—”
The room fills with a sudden roar of cheers, drowning out the rest of his sentence. A wave of nausea washes over me as I look up. The final leaderboard flashes:
Matthew Wilkes T9 -14.
He did it! Ninth place!
We all join together in congratulating Matthew. There’s a swell of joy in the room, well-wishes and compliments shared freely. I take a moment, stepping back, to watch Matthew bask in his success. He’s radiant, his smile broad and genuine, his eyes sparkling with excitement, and for a moment, I allow myself to forget our arrangements, to believe that this happiness could be ours indefinitely. Picturing us, still together, when he’s announced as the top ten player in the world.
“Matthew, my man!” Travis Holt comes barreling toward us, a wide grin on his face.
“Travis? When did you get here?” Matthew looks surprised but pleased to see his agent here.
“I wanted to surprise you earlier, but my flight got delayed. I’ve been watching replays to catch up. Fantastic job out there.” Travis claps Matthew on the back. He then turns to me, extending a hand. “Beth, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you face-to-face.”
“You, too, Travis!” I shake his hand.
“And you remember my mom, Maggie, and my sister, Alison.” Matthew nods toward our companions.
“Absolutely. Pleasure to meet y’all too.” Travis shakes their hands too, all charm and ease. “I just got off the phone and have good news,” he starts, the words tumbling out of his mouth as if he can hardly contain them. “You’ve qualified, Matthew! You’ve made it onto the Summit Pro Tour.”
I gasp and turn to look at Matthew. He’s frozen, absorbing Travis’s words.
“It’s official, kid. You did it. Your first tournament is Lowcountry Crown Classic in two weeks.”
Then Matthew sweeps Travis into a bear hug before turning to me with an elated expression. “We did it, Beth!”
My heart leaps at his words. We . Not him, not I, but we —as in Matthew and I together. His green eyes are sparkling with unshed tears of happiness as he pulls me into his arms.
I rest my head against his chest, soaking in his warmth and presence. His heartbeat is steady under my ear, a soothing rhythm amidst the chaos of emotions churning inside me.
“I wouldn’t be here without you, Beth,” he whispers into my ear, his voice shaking slightly.
Matthew pulls away, his eyes still bright with joy. His mouth opens to say something but a reporter waves him over. He kisses my forehead softly before letting me go to attend to the press.
I follow behind him, my heart pounding in my chest. His lips still tingling on my forehead, his whispered words echoing in my mind.
This is what he’s been working for since we first met. It’s exciting to see him achieving his dreams—it’s every bit as thrilling as I thought it would be. As I watch him, talking animatedly to the reporter, a question forms in my mind. It shouldn’t be there, not now, not in the middle of this celebration. But it’s there. A question that threatens to shatter rule #4 completely.
What happens after all this?
Because I realize now that there is no “after all this” if it means without Matthew by my side. The thought alone feels like a part of me is missing. A vital part. A part that I didn’t even know existed until Matthew came into my life.
“Matthew, T9 at fourteen under, securing your Summit Pro Tour card—how’s this moment hitting you?” the Coastal Golf reporter asks.
“I can’t put into words how I’m feeling right now,” Matthew says, turning back to look at me.
A wide smile stretches across his face, and I feel my heart flutter wildly in response. “It’s been a long journey, filled with more ups and downs than I could’ve ever imagined. To be here now, having achieved one of my dreams...it feels surreal.”
“And your Betthew clips, especially that viral Savannah T12, landed you this exemption. How’s that fan buzz shaped your journey?”
“The support from my fans has been immense. I wouldn’t be here without their constant encouragement and belief in me. And as for Betthew,” he chuckles, glancing back at me again, “she made it possible. Her belief in me, her support...everything we’ve been through together, it shaped my journey more than anything else.”
A warmth spreads through me, and I’m not sure if it’s joy for this success or the bubbling affection for him that I’ve been trying to push down for weeks.
I feel an arm wrap around my shoulders, and I turn to see Maggie, her eyes welling with tears.
“Look at our Matthew,” she murmurs, her voice filled with pride.
I nod, my own eyes burning as I stare at Matthew.
Our Matthew. My Matthew.
It sounds so natural, so right. Like we belong together. And it’s the sudden realization that I’ll do anything, absolutely anything—including telling him how I feel with a potential risk of making myself look like a complete fool—to keep him in my life.
Then my phone buzzes, startling me out of my thoughts.
Desi
Watching the live press conference!
I chuckle at her excited message and quickly type back.
Me
He did it!
Desi
YOU did it! Elevate Marketing is about to explode, girl! You’re going to get a ton of new inquiries from potential clients.
Me
I’m not even worried about that right now. Just celebrating Matthew.
Desi
You mean you’re just celebrating with your boyfriend.
I can’t help but blush as I read Desi’s text. Boyfriend.
Desi
Just admit it. You love him.
The words stare back at me, bold and daring. I hesitate before I type out a response, my heart pounding in my chest. Before I can reply, Desi sends another message.
Desi
Just saying…#BetthewForever
Despite the flurry of emotions that Desi’s messages stir in me, I can’t help but laugh at her hashtag.
Me
You’re ridiculous.
Desi
But I’m right!
Matthew returns to my side, having completed his interview. He looks at me questioningly, noticing my slight blush and the smile playing on my lips.
“What is it?” he asks.
It’s now or never.
“The fans have been going wild with a new hashtag. #BetthewForever,” I say, looking up into his eyes.
His expression softens as he reaches over to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. He doesn’t respond for a moment, then grins widely as he leans in to whisper in my ear.
“I like the sound of that.”