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Matt adjusted his hockey bag on his shoulder as he stepped out of the rink, the cool evening air brushing against his flushed skin. He was halfway to his car when a voice cut through the stillness, sharp and unmistakable.
"Matt!"
He turned to see Brooke striding toward him, her heels clicking against the pavement with an air of determination. She was dressed to impress, as usual, her hair perfectly styled and a smirk playing on her lips.
"Brooke," Matt said, his tone flat as he set his bag down by the car. "What do you want?"
"Oh, nothing much," she said, stopping a few feet away. "Just thought I'd check in on Stars Hollow's favorite golden boy. See how you're doing, now that Ronnie's got you on her little leash."
Matt tensed, his jaw tightening. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Brooke let out a dry laugh, crossing her arms. "Oh, come on. Everyone sees it. She's got you wrapped around her finger, and you just sit there, all puppy-dog eyes, waiting for scraps of her attention. It's pathetic, honestly."
Matt's eyes narrowed, his temper flaring. "You want to talk about pathetic?" he shot back, stepping closer. "Take a look in the mirror, Brooke. You spend so much time tearing other people down because you can't stand the fact that no one's looking at you the way you want them to."
Brooke's smirk faltered for a split second, but she quickly recovered, her eyes flashing with indignation. "Oh, please. Don't act like you're some knight in shining armor, Matt. You're just as bad as the rest of us—you're just too self-righteous to admit it."
"You don't know anything about me," Matt said firmly, his voice low but steady.
"I know enough," Brooke said, leaning in slightly, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "Like how you keep pining after Ronnie, even though she doesn't see you as anything more than her trusty sidekick. Must be exhausting, being so devoted to someone who doesn't care."
Matt's fists clenched at his sides, but he forced himself to stay calm. "You don't get it. You've never gotten it. Ronnie's not like you, Brooke. She doesn't play games. She doesn't pretend to be something she's not. And if I'm 'pathetic' for caring about her? Fine. I'll take that over being as shallow and bitter as you any day."
Brooke's expression hardened, her lips pressing into a thin line. For a moment, she looked like she wanted to argue, but instead, she let out a short laugh, shaking her head.
"Whatever," she said, turning on her heel. "Keep living in your little fantasy, Matt. Don't say I didn't warn you when it all falls apart."
He watched her walk away, her confidence seeming less sure with every step. As the sound of her heels faded, Matt let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
