One thing is a stone-cold truth: I’m screwed.
Chapter 8
Mae
CLEAN AND COMFY in sweats and my favorite Dolly Parton sweatshirt, I collapse into my seat. This will go down as the longest day of all time. At least it was truly enjoyable. Not able to shut my brain off quite yet, I reach for my phone. A few notifications dot the lock screen, but only one catches my eye.
Wyatt:Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I had a good time and I would love to see you again. If you’d rather our managers communicate, I understand.
I bite my lip at his truthfulness. Something about the lack of games feels so normal, so right, and also almost too good to be true. Still, I want to keep talking to him. His kind words, his honesty–it is all so welcome.
Mae:I had a good time too. I don’t mind you texting me directly. It would be nice to have this just to ourselves for the time being.
I haven’t set my phone down for two seconds when I get his response.
Wyatt:I’ll be in Dallas for a game in a few weeks. The team will be there a day or two early… I promise I’m not a stalker, but it looks like you have a show at a rodeo or something in Fort Worth.
Wyatt:Dallas is home so I have a house and a few cars. I’d love to show you around on your free days if you don’t mind.
Mae:I’d like that. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Texas.
Mae:You’re invited to the show, of course. If Hannah travels with the kids I can get them some VIP seats and maybe a few more for the rodeo.
Wyatt:We’d love that.
Three more simple words for me to latch onto and smile about.
Wyatt:I should let you try and get some sleep. Good luck at your show tomorrow.
Mae:Goodnight, Wyatt.
I sent it without a second thought, but now I’m rethinking every little thing I’ve done tonight. Chomping on my thumb nail, I nearly keel over as the little dots of terror appear before Wyatt answers.
Wyatt:Goodnight, Mae.
My heart surges at his response. It’s two words, and yet it’s said more than enough. The days of overthinking everything can rest assuredly behind me. Wyatt is upstanding; he’s complicated in all the right ways; he’s everything I’ve ever hoped for in a man. The fact that he feels comfortable enough to wish me goodnight solidifies it enough for me. In this moment, in my eyes, it’s a given that we are official, in our own little way.
“I’m so happy that you’re happy, Mae.” I hadn’t realized it, but Raleigh is watching me from where she’s curled up against her husband. I drop my phone into my lap and fold my hands over it. I really should stop my stupid habit. Dalton snores lightly asshe leans forward. “He seems like a nice guy. What’s your gut saying?”
Anyone who knows me at all knows I make all of my life decisions based on what my gut tells me. It has only ever let me down once. While that relationship left me scarred and traumatized on multiple levels, it could have been much worse if I had listened to my battered heart and stayed after the damage was done.
“Only good things so far,” I say, laying my head back and imagining myself back in his passenger seat. “It was nice not having to worry about anything other than the two of us.”
“It went well, then?” she squeals, as if she’s my best friend rather than my agent.
I sigh. “It wasn’t boisterous or over the top like life usually is for me, but it felt real. It felt genuine.”
“That’s huge, Mae.” Raleigh smiles, reaching across the aisle to pat me on the knee.
“Yeah,” I say, nodding. “Yeah it is.”
Tonight felt so safe, so natural. I can’t put the relief I feel into words. The headlines have been so callous the past few days about our relationship. They say it won’t last, but if Wyatt is the person he seems to be, perhaps the media will lose another bet. If the headlines paint me as, “Wyatt Lucas’ Girl,” and not, “The girl who was cheated on,” I might not mind all the attention this time around.
Chapter 9
Wyatt
I MIGHT BE IN THE safety of my own living room, but the way that Steven is talking makes me feel like I should be preparing for an all-out assault from an invisible enemy. For the past hour, he’s been explaining social media to me. Apparently, I’ll need to change how I use it now that Mae and I are together.
