4. Grace
The door to Matt”s room closes behind me. I can’t help but wonder why he thought he needed to tell me that Clint had spoken with him. My family has always been one of the things I kept separate when I was in previous relationships. Miles met my cousin, Cortney, once, and that was only because he wanted me to come to a baseball game and knew that Miles was going to be going into the draft. Coming from money and that lifestyle, you never know who you can trust, and honestly, I can count on one hand the people who really know the true me. But with Matt, I want him to know that part of me. I just don’t understand why. We’ve been so cruel to one another over the last few months while Tinley and Ryan found their happily ever after, and it’s to keep us both safe from what could have been after our wild night.
Walking back into my bedroom, I notice a small box on my nightstand that wasn’t there earlier today when I put my clothes away. I make my way to it and can tell it’s a ring box. Matt was in here at some point. Looking around, I pick up the small velvet box, gasping when I see the object inside. The note on top.
“Red, thought you might need some jewelry since you’re MINE now.”
– Your husband
Opening the ring box, I find a beautiful emerald-cut, dark-green diamond ring with another note attached.
“I looked for a black diamond to match your soul, but it turns out those are special request items, so green will have to do it for now.” – Cowboy
I blush at the nickname he signed the note with. Damn, it just got a lot more difficult to not want to be around him.
I pick up my phone and send a picture of the ring to my best friends.
Me:
Well, ladies, it’s official, I’m off the market. For a little while anyway.
Tinley:
What the hell? Ryan just filled me in on everything. And damn, girl, that ring is gorgeous.
Mia:
WHAT? I thought you hated that racer. Something about, “he’s a fuckboy, and I wouldn’t touch him even if he were the last person on earth.”
Me:
Well, I may have done something stupid the other day that put me in this spot, so for the next little bit, I’m his wife. (Eye roll emoji)
Lily:
Wait, what have I missed?? I’m over here in baseball land and hear nothing.
Tin:
Grace is married to Matt McCall now. (Laughing emoji)
Lily:
WHAT?
Me:
Yep, it was a ruse that the media took and ran with. Just Google me, it’s everywhere.
Mia:
Well, at least his taste in jewelry is amazing. I wouldn’t mind one of those.
Lily:
Wow, what a ring! Okay, now that I’m out of shock, are you okay?
Me:
Honestly, I’m not sure, and on the other hand I want to hate everything about him. Then he does something sweet, and I’m like damn him.
Tin:
Maybe y’all don’t hate each other as much as you think. Just saying.
Ugh. Lying across my bed, I take a minute to try to figure out if my friends could be right. Maybe we don’t hate each other as much as we want. It’s more frenemies. Looking back at the ring, I think we can try to make this work for the next two months. Why does he have to make it easy to want to?
Me:
Well, this has been great, but now I need to try to figure out how to act like I’m in love with my “husband” this weekend in Miami.
After a few more texts back and forth with my girlfriends, I call it a night and try to get some sleep.
The next morning, I wake up and try to get my bearings, then I realize I’m not in my apartment or my own bed. I’m at Matt’s house. This is my life now.
After taking a shower, fixing my hair and makeup for the day, and trying to figure out my outfit, I can smell breakfast being made. There’s a small smile on my face as I walk out to find a shirtless Matt in gray sweatpants once again. His body is on display for me, not a tattoo in sight, just all smooth skin and tan muscle. Damn, the man is hot, I’ll give him that. Clearing my throat, I step into the kitchen, and he turns and notices me with a tiny smirk on his face.
“Morning, Red. Sleep well?”
“Yeah, it was good. Umm, I found this on my nightstand when I went to bed,” I say as I put the box on the counter between us.
“Well, Red, you need a ring if this is going to look real,” he says matter-of-factly.
“It’s beautiful, but I really don’t need a ring,” I reply as I go to make my coffee.
Grabbing my arm, Matt spins me around to look at him. “Listen to me very closely, Grace,” he says, snatching the velvet box off the counter. “For the next two months, you’re MINE. And having a piece of jewelry on your hand will show that to others. I don’t share. Just in case you have any ideas.” With that, he slides the emerald-green stunner onto my finger.
Looking up at this man, I can’t help but smile just a little. I’m his for the next little bit. This may be all for show, but it’s a show that I’m going to enjoy. The issue is whether my heart will survive the sudden emotions that I’m feeling.
I move my hand up to his chest. “Well, Cowboy, if I”m yours, then you belong to me. So I better not even hear a small rumble of another woman anywhere near you. Are we clear?” Running my hand down his body once more, I keep my eyes on him, seeing them burn with desire. I reach the band of his sweats and move lower, feeling his erection growing larger the closer I get. His breath hitches just a little as I touch him. With a smirk, I turn and finish my coffee before heading to work, leaving him standing in the kitchen.
“See you tonight, husband,” I say as the door closes behind me. I need to get the hell out of Dodge before I drop to my knees as a thank you for the beautiful gift that’s now on my left hand.