His Muse • M. Boldy

•F I F T Y - T W O•

MATT's POV
"Happy Birthday Matty." Josie said, walking up the stairs of my townhome.

"Thanks Jos." I smiled, wrapping my arms around her. "Did you decide what were doing?"

"Well since it's such a nice day out I was thinking we could go play pickle ball with Brock and Morgan." She grinned, about to jump up and down.

"That sounds so fun." I smiled. "Let me change quick."

I ran up the stairs, nearly running Brock over. "Morning." I said quickly, continuing on my mission to change into athletic clothes.

"Morning, happy birthday!" He laughed, moving out of my way. I changed as fast as possible before I walked back downstairs.

"Damn someone's excited." Brock laughed, throwing a water bottle in his backpack.

"Thats oddly sexual." Morgan laughed, walking up the stairs.

"Not my fault you've got your head in the gutter." Brock chuckled.

"Happy Birthday Matty B." Morgan smiled, giving me a hug.

"Thanks." I smiled, wrapping my arms around her in return.

"Can we get coffee on the way?" Josie asked, picking up Smudge's leash.

"Yes, oh my god yes." Morgan smiled, placing a hat on her head.

"Alright lets go." I smiled, grabbing Josie's hand. We followed our friends down the street, Smudge walking close to Josie's side.

"What's wrong Matt?" Josie asked, her voice quiet.

"Nothing." I smiled, squeezing her hand. "Nothing at all."

"You sure?" She asked, her eyes pleading.

"It's just something I need to get over." I whispered. "Last night, with Casey." I stayed silent for a moment, trying to think of the right way to phrase my feelings. "I'm just jealous, and I know I have nothing to be jealous of, but seeing you so happy made me feel jealous, I'll get over it, I promise."

"I'm sorry Matt." She sighed, looking away from me.

"I know I'm upsetting you right now." I sighed. She stayed silent, eyes on the ground, not wanting to answer me. "And you have every reason to be, but it's my problem and I'll get over it. I don't love you any less, I don't feel any different about you, if anything I love you more. I realized that I want to have those kinds of memories with you to share and make us happy."

"I- thanks." She said, a soft smile on her lips. "I love you so much."

"I'd bet I love you more." I grinned, familiar butterflies lighting through my stomach.

"No shot." She smiled, pulling me into the coffee shop with our friends. We ordered then continued on our way, walking and smiling on this beautiful April morning. The walk to the park was only about fifteen minutes, giving us just enough time to catch up on gossip with Brock and Morgan.

"Why is Flower's car here?" I asked, looking around the park.

"No idea." Josie shrugged. "Don't they live close?"

"Yeah." I chuckled. "Maybe he brought the kids."

"Maybe." She shrugged, leading me over to the pickle ball courts.

"He didn't bring his kids over here." I smiled, looking at most of my teammates and their significant others spread out over the courts. "You planned this?"

"Happy birthday Matty B!" She smiled, letting me walk over to say hi to my teammates. After a few minutes of goofing around we were called over by the girls.