Page 43 of Crossing Arizona

“I’ve only been with the Cardinals for a year,” he says, his voice flat. “In that time, I’ve bought a house, two cars because you crashed one, a brand new wardrobe, and had an in-ground pool installed in the backyard. Despite what you think, money doesn’t grow on trees, Val.”

One of Valerie’s bridesmaids chimes in with an eye roll. “I mean… she has a point. A destination wedding does seem more fitting for an NFL star.”

Tyson snorts. “Star is laying it on a little thick. No offense, Albrecht, but you’re still a rookie.”

Matty’s face flushes bright red, his jaw tightening, and something snaps in me.

I’m on my feet before I even think about it, fists clenched as my voice cuts through the room. “First off, he’s hands down the best defenseman on your team, asshole. He was drafted for a reason. Show some fucking respect.”

“Yeah, man, seriously?” Taylor follows suit, standing with his palms on the table as he glares at the quarterback. “You’re supposed to be his teammate.”

The room goes still, all eyes darting between us and Tyson, who raises an eyebrow at me in amusement. “Relax, man. Just a joke.”

“It wasn’t funny,” I spit, glaring at him as Matty stands abruptly.

“Enough,” Matty says sharply, cutting off whatever retort Tyson was about to throw back. His eyes flick to me, a flash of something unreadable crossing his face before he turns to the group. “Right, so… Val and I will stand near the water. There’s supposed to be an arch of hydrangeas that the officiant will be waiting under.”

A shudder wracks my body at the mention of hydrangeas, my mind unwillingly yanked back to my Aunt Pearl’s garden. The only thing she ever cared about.

Val sighs heavily, her tone laced with annoyance. “Tyson will be next to him, and my maid of honor on the other side of me—"

“Wait, wait. What did you just say?” I cut her off, shaking my head like there’s something wrong with my ears. There must be because there’s no way she just said what I think she did.

Matty’s eyes snap to mine, a flicker of shame crossing them before he looks away. Tyson, on the other hand, smirks, sizing me up like he’s been waiting for this moment.

“She said I’ll be standing next to Matty since that’s where the best man goes,” he drawls, leaning back like he owns the whole goddamn restaurant.

The air in the room shifts. Everyone falls silent. Even the other patrons nearby seem to sense the tension, their conversations grinding to a halt as something painful and angry twists violently in my stomach.

My teeth grind together as I drop my gaze to the table, struggling to maintain my composure. Hannah’s small hand finds mine, her grip grounding me, and I force myself to breathe. To stay calm. For her.

But my friends? They don’t bother holding back.

“What the fuck, Matthew?!” Salem hisses, her sharp voice cutting through the quiet. Her teeth are bared, eyes blazing as she shoots daggers at him.

“This guy?” Taylor explodes, launching to his feet so fast his chair scrapes loudly against the floor. “Are you kidding me right now? This guy?”

Even Christian, usually the most level-headed, crosses his arms and shakes his head in disgust.

Wayne holds up his hands, his voice calm but firm. “Alright, everyone, let’s settle down—"

But the damage is done.

My head is spinning, Matty’s betrayal sinking in like a knife between my ribs. I can’t look at him. I can’t look at Tyson. The room is too loud and too still all at once, and all I can feel is Hannah’s tiny fingers squeezing mine, the only thing anchoring me to the moment.

“I’m sorry, but really, Matthew?” Taylor gestures wildly toward Tyson, who sits there inspecting his nails like he’s bored of the conversation. “You’ve known this guy, what, a year? As opposed to Xed, who’s been your ride-or-die for over a decade?”

“Tay, let it go,” Huckslee mutters, trying to tug him down into his seat, but Taylor shakes him off.

“No, that’s fucked up.“ He looks around the table, his voice rising with indignation. “Imagine if we got married, Huck, and I chose someone else to stand by my side instead of Christian. It’s not right. After everything Xed has done for Hannah—"

“Why would I choose Xed when he doesn’t even like the woman I’m marrying?”

Matty’s voice cuts through the room, uncharacteristically harsh. The force of his tone shocks everyone into silence—even Taylor—and my stomach twists painfully as I flinch back in my seat.

“When he completely cut me off over this last year because I chose to be with her?” Matty continues, his gaze flicking to me as something like pain flashes in his eyes. “At least Tyson supports this relationship.”

“Matthew,“ Jenna growls, but I can’t hear the rest of what she says.