Chapter 10 10

Nina's POV

I'm not entirely sure what happened at the club, but when I woke up, I was on Matt's arm.

Blinking up at him, I realized we were entering our hotel room. I peeked over and saw Alice, completely passed out, being carried by Neilson as he opened their door.

Matt carefully pushed open our door and shut it softly, probably trying not to wake me. But as a wave of nausea suddenly rushed up, I clapped my hand over my mouth. "I think I'm going to throw up," I croaked.

Matt's eyes widened in panic, and he sprinted toward the trash can. Unfortunately, he wasn't fast enough.

I retched all over his shirt. And myself.

Matt froze mid-step, his arms still holding me, his cheeks puffed out as if he were about to gag.

"Matt," I slurred weakly.

He shut his eyes tightly before prying them open again. "Yes?" he replied, voice trembling. He probably wanted to drop me right then and there.

"I think I'm drunk," I mumbled before everything faded to black.

When I woke up, my head throbbed as if my brain had been put through a blender. Slowly, I sat up, squinting at my surroundings through blurry eyes. After a few moments, I forced myself out of bed and reached for the small table.

There, two pills and a bottle of water sat beside a note: Take this. Matt.

I swallowed them gratefully, rubbing my temples before heading toward the mirror. One glance at my reflection and my blood ran cold.

I was wearing nothing but one of Matt's button-up shirts.

A high-pitched shriek tore from my throat, and within seconds, the door burst open. "What happened?" Matt yelled.

I kept screaming, pointing at myself in horror.

His eyes skimmed my body before he hastily looked away. "Y-You d-did y-you-" I stammered, my face burning.

Matt cleared his throat awkwardly. "Y-Yeah, I... I changed you last night."

I took a step back, clutching the shirt tightly. "You what?!" Another scream burst from me.

Matt rushed forward and clamped his hand over my mouth. "I'm going to let go now. Please stop screaming," he pleaded.

I nodded.

He hesitated, then slowly removed his hand.

I inhaled sharply-and shrieked again.

With an exasperated sigh, he muffled my mouth once more. "Really, Nina?"

I pried his hand away, still flustered. "I just-" My words trailed off as I stared at him.

"If it helps," he muttered, "I closed my eyes."

I narrowed my eyes. "That does not help."

After a few awkward days, Alice and Neilson had to leave for work.

Alice pinched my cheeks. "Feel better, Waffles."

I sniffled as she pulled me into a tight hug. "Thanks for coming."

Weeks passed, yet I remained curled up in Matt's bed, my face buried in a pillow, wrapped tightly in the blanket. I had been staying in his hotel room for nearly a month now, making up excuses about needing a vacation.

I was

so fired. But honestly, I didn't care. Nothing mattered.

This was, by far, the worst emotional pain I had ever felt-worse than getting my wisdom teeth pulled.

I had always been the one supporting my friends through their heartbreaks. I never imagined I'd be in this position myself.

The door clicked open, and I knew Matt was back. He sat beside me and ran a rough but gentle hand over my head. "How are you feeling, Short Stack?"

I mumbled something incoherent, earning a deep sigh from him.

Turning my head slightly, I caught the look in his eyes-concern and something else, something sad.

I glanced at the wall, where the dent still remained. My phone, however, was gone. The day after Alice left, Matt had to work late, and in a moment of stupidity, I had answered my ex-fiancé's call.

He had apologized over and over. I had screamed and screamed, my fury and heartbreak boiling over. Unable to contain it, I had thrown my phone against the wall, watching it shatter into pieces.

Matt had found me curled up on the floor, sobbing into the carpet. Definitely not one of my proudest moments.

I forced a weak smile at him, but he only patted my head and disappeared into the bathroom to change. When he returned, he was dressed in sweats and a white t-shirt.

"Short Stack, you need to change." He handed me a fresh shirt and a pair of his boxers.

Nodding faintly, I sat up. I had been wearing the same clothes for four days. I probably smelled *disgusting*.

He turned around as I changed, and when I was done, I whispered, "Okay."

Matt slid into bed beside me, as he had since my second breakdown. Being in his arms made the unbearable weight in my chest a little lighter.

"Matt... is it because I'm ugly? Is that why he cheated on me?" I whispered, my voice cracking. "The woman he was with... she was gorgeous. Like some kind of fallen angel."

Matt shifted to face me, his brows furrowing. "Don't ever say that again. You're beautiful, Nina. Any guy would be lucky to have you."

His hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing softly over my skin.

"Really?" I murmured.

"Really," he assured me, his voice gentle. He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

A shaky breath left me as I snuggled into his chest. He rubbed soothing circles on my back, whispering words of comfort.

"Why do I feel so worthless, Matt? Nine years-I spent nine years with him. We were supposed to get married, have a big, overpriced honeymoon, then four kids who drive us crazy and two dogs that are cleaner than the kids."

"You don't need him, Nina. He didn't deserve you. You're amazing."

I sniffled. "I'm going to end up alone. Just me and 102 cats."

Matt let out an amused chuckle. "If no guy wants to marry you, I will. We'll have four kids and two dogs together."

"Your future wife wouldn't be happy about that," I muttered.

"She won't mind. In fact, she's the one who told me she wanted four kids and two dogs."

I let out a wet laugh. "What if I want more than four?"

"Then we'll make a whole soccer team."

That night, he kept me laughing, distracting me from my pain until I drifted off in his arms.

"Good morning," Matt whispered the next day.

I tightened my arms around him. "Don't leave."

He exhaled deeply. "I wish I could stay, but I have to go."

I released him reluctantly. He stretched, then grabbed a phone from his luggage and sat beside me. "Here. Call me if you need anything."

I hesitated. "Matt, you shouldn't-"

"Just keep it. Alice keeps interrupting my meetings, making sure you're still alive."

I sighed and nodded, entwining my fingers with his.

He gave me a small smile. "I meant what I said last night, Short Stack. If you ever want to get married, I'll be right here."

I chuckled dryly. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Matthew."