𝐌𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐑

Chapter 3: Whoop Whoop!

*Dixie's POV*

"Mm." I groaned, turning a little, then jumping out of bed, shocked to see Matt beside me in bed in his sweatpants. He stirred, then groaned and sat up with bedhead, asking, "What time is it?" 

"8:00 a.m.. I'm going home. Thanks for letting me crash, though." I told Matt before going to the bathroom and washing up. I walked back out and was about to leave with my purse when Matt handed me a cup of coffee and pointed at a pile of clothes on the sofa. I nodded, understanding. I drank the coffee as Matt read the news on his phone. I checked my texts and replied to some of them.

Girl Bosses

Sylvie Brett, Stella Kidd, Gabby Dawson and Me (Dixie Cohen)

Gabby👑: Guess who's getting married?

Me💕: No. Way! Congrats!

Sylvie🌺: Congrats Gabs!

Stella🔥: Congrats! You and Mills?

Gabby👑: Yup! We're discussing the details over lunch today. But, we already agreed that    we want you girls as bridesmaids, and Dixie, if you would grant me the honor of you being my maid-of-honor?

Me💕: Of course! See you soon, soon-to-be Mrs Peter Mills!

Stella🔥: Whoop whoop! 🍰🍰🎉🎉🎉

"Matt. Gabby and Peter's getting married!" I squealed and Matt put down his phone smiling.

"What?" I asked suspiciously.

"Nothing. Just that Hallie agreed to come to the annual firefighter's barbecue with me."

"It's today?"

"Yep."

"Oh." I replied, finishing up my coffee and washing the cup. I felt my heart drop. I wanted Matt and Hallie to get back together because they were good together, but I really wanted Matt for myself too.

I leaned against the kitchen island and checked Kelly's text.

Kelly Severide

Kelly: Guess who got?

Me: Laid?

Me: So easy. You never text me.

Kelly: That's a lie.

Me: Yes, it is, unfortunately. So, who was the unlucky girl?

Kelly: ...

Me: Nicki Rutowski? No way. She's engaged, you horny punk!

Kelly: What the hell? She didn't have no ring on her! Did she take it off on purpose? But she made the first move!

Me: Ugh you better fix it pretty boy. xx

"Kelly fucked Nicki Rutowski." I told Matt who snickered. He had a glow. I sighed, then told him I was leaving. I drove home, screaming in the car once I'd parked. Why, in the world with over five billion people, did I fall for the one that could never be mine?

I spent the rest of the day doing chores, then finally dressing to go for the barbecue. I wore a white solid form-fitting crop top and denim shorts with Adidas Superstars and my blonde hair in a high messy bun. I drove to the convenience store and bought seven six-pack beers. I loaded them into the trunk of my car then drove to the park where we were having the barbecue.

The park where we had our barbecues weren't 'big' parks. Meaning that not many people went there. It was by a pond with crystal-clear water and there were tyre swings. There was a small shed where the barbecue equipment were kept and there were picnic tables everywhere. THe mayor had let us use the park to honor our service for the city. 

"I got the booze!" I shouted after parking my car and getting out. Otis and Cruz ran over to help and I felt a pang in my heart when I saw Hallie and Matt laughing and talking. I brushed it off and carried the last three six-packs myself. 

"Hi, Chief!" I smiled as I dumped the beer onto the floor before opening the packs and dumping the beer in the cooler boxes. I picked out an already-cold can, popped the tab open and took a swig from the can. I took over the grill so Chief Boden could relax. There were sausages and steak on the grill, chicken wings even. 

Suddenly, someone tapped me on the shoulder so I turned around and saw Matt holding his beer. I gave a small smile before turning back to the grill, with a pair of tongs in one hand and my can of beer in the other. 

"May I?" Matt asked. 

"Go ahead." I replied. He let my hair down, brushed it with his fingers, then began braiding it. When he was done, it was the same as always. A pull-through braid. I asked, "Why don't you do it with Hallie?"

"She doesn't like braids."

"Oh." I replied as I flipped the last steak. I prodded the sausages, then transferred all the cooked food onto a plate. I put it on the table and everybody swarmed around it to get food. Herrmann's wife, Cindy had baked a cake and some gooey chocolate chip cookies. The Herrmann family were gathered at a table, Annabelle and Luke stuffing their faces with a hot-dog each. They were adorable.

"Hey guys." Kelly trudged over, looking sad. He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his forehead on my shoulder. I sighed. Matt asked, "What's up?"

"Nicki's engaged."

"You mean the Nicki you fucked?"

"Um-hmm." Kelly nodded slightly and sighed after Matt went to get a beer. Kelly let go of me and grabbed the beer from Matt with a grateful nod before popping the can open and drinking half the can in one gulp.

"Hallie's walking over." I told Matt as I took another sip of my beer. Hallie was wearing a white button-up over a white tank top and jeans. Matt walked over to her and they went off. Kelly whispered, "I know you like him, you know?"

"What? No. Pfft." I scoffed.

"Don't try and hide it, Dix."

*Matt's POV*

There wasn't a spark when Hallie was in my arms anymore. I didn't get the excited feeling I got when I was around Dixie. Then again, Hallie probably didn't care. She had that doctor of hers. I brushed it off and tried to continue enjoying the barbecue, but my eyes were only looking at one girl. Dixie.

*Dixie's POV*

Stray strands of hair blew in my face due to the breeze as I tried to eat my hot-dog. I whined, tucking my hair behind my ears before taking a bite of my hot-dog aggressively, making the people around me laugh. Gabby gave a small laugh and Boden shook his head with a little guffaw.

"What? I'm hungry." I pouted, giving them my innocent eyes, then taking another bite. They laughed again. I put down my hot-dog and took a swig of beer, finishing up what was left of my beverage.

After the long day, Kelly, Matt and I stayed back to help Chief Boden pack. I watched Matt watch Hallie drive away with her doctor boyfriend sadly. I sat down on the curb beside him and leaned my head on his shoulder. Suddenly, he asked, "Can you kiss me?" 

"Matt. You're not in the right mind." I tried to reason with him.

"Kiss me!" He whisper-shouted. I looked into his eyes which were brimming with tears as he looked at me. I sighed, then pressed my lips to his. I ran my fingers through his short blond hair as he rested his hands at the back of my neck. We pulled away, and I pushed my tongue to my cheeks. I turned back to face the parking lots. 

"Sorry."

"For what?"

"I'm sorry for forcing you to kiss me."

"It's fine. You needed it. And I don't regret it." I replied nonchalantly before getting up and walking over to pack the last of the barbecue equipment.