#Chapter 53: The Big Game

Celeste

Matt’s nod was almost imperceptible. “I couldn’t stand seeing you treated that way. I just wanted to help.”

A complex mix of gratitude and fear gripped me. What if she told him about ‘Rose’? What if that was why he hadn’t responded to my texts?

“Matt, she’s… she’s dangerous. You shouldn’t have—”

He shrugged, brushing away some dirt from his shirt, no indication of knowing about ‘Rose’ on his face. “It was worth a shot.”

There was an undeniable bravery in his actions, something I wished I had in me. “Thank you,” I whispered, the weight of those words bearing so much more than just gratitude.

He gave me a half-smile, that dimpled charm of his shining through the worry. “Stay safe, Celeste.”

“Thanks, Matt,” I said.

Matt turned to leave. But then, suddenly, he turned back to look at me, running a hand through his dark hair. “Hey, there’s a hockey game tonight,” he said. “You should come. Maybe it’ll help you relax.”

My eyes widened in surprise. Was Matt inviting me to one of his h