Page 56 of Love Never Happens with your Brother’s Best Friend

“Really?”

“No. That’s not entirely true. She put it in the kitchen drawer and said that it was there for me, any time I felt was right.”

“Ha! So that’s what you were doing in the kitchen this morning. I can never trust you again. You lied…” But Brodie stops my rant by pressing his lips on mine causing the rest of my sentence to come out as a series of muffled nonsense.

Epilogue

The Celebrity Pages – Exclusive

The Celebrity Pages brings you an exclusive interview with the former Boston Bullets’ star quarterback, Brodie Kent, and his lovely wife, Rita, at their luxury home near the quaint historic town of Oak River. Kent has been noticeably absent from The Celebrity Pages and out of the limelight since quitting top-of-the-league football two years ago.

We catch up with the couple and find out details of their fairytale private wedding, the romantic overseas honeymoon, the couple’s new exciting shared project, and ask what life holds beyond the football field.

The Celebrity Pages team is greeted by Brodie, Rita, and their dog, Champ. We are shown into the couple’s generously proportioned living space with an expansive view of the river valley, forest, and mountains beyond. Brodie and Rita sit comfortably together on the sumptuous designer couch upholstered in a sustainable plant-based dye floral print, recycled woolen fabric. Brodie is barefoot and wears loose beige linen pants and a fitting white t-shirt. Rita wears a simple green cotton dress coordinated with a string of colored beads and flat sandals, which she kicks off and then tucks her legs up behind her on the couch. She leans into her husband. They are tanned and relaxed.

Brodie pours out some glasses of iced mint and lemon tea from a glass jug on the low table beside him. He offers some to the team before we get started with the interview.

TCP: Firstly, thank you for welcoming TCP into your lovely home. Let’s start with the wedding. You wanted it to be all about family and close friends, low-key and private. Can you let us in on some of the highlights of your special day?

Rita: It was so beautiful. And perfect. We were surrounded by so much love. Yes. Everyone who meant something to us was there. Mom and Dad were great. They were over the moon when we said we wanted the ceremony at their place. The day just flew by.

Brodie: Yeah. Rita’s family are wonderful. It was that kind of wedding where everyone just pitches in. We didn’t have a planner or… Maybe we should have had a planner? (Brodie shoots Rita a cheeky smile.) Ah, next time, huh? We had a marquee in one of the paddocks. Thank goodness it didn’t rain.

(Brodie laughs and puts his arm around Rita’s shoulders.)

TCP: So, Rita. Your dress was vintage hand-made lace. It was last worn by your great, great grandmother. Is that something that’s important to you? Or did you just like the dress?

Rita: Both really. I feel a strong connection with my mom’s great grandma through wearing the dress. And it is absolutely beautiful. Also, it fits me, so… And I have her beautiful engagement ring that I love. (Rita extends her hand, showing a stylish antique sapphire and diamond cluster with a simple gold wedding band.) So, yeah, my family connection is important to me.

TCP: What was the most memorable part of your special day?

Brodie: Well, obviously when this beautiful woman said, “I do”. That was the best bit for me. What about you, babe?

Rita: Oh, for me? It was the I do bit, for sure. And Dylan’s speech. It was hilarious.

TCP: Dylan, Rita’s brother, right?

Brodie: Yup. My best man. We’ve known each other forever.

TCP: So, the honeymoon. Let’s talk about that.

Brodie: It was incredible. We both wanted to learn to dive, so we started out with two weeks in a gorgeous resort in the Maldives.

Rita: Yeah. The diving there is spectacular and if you can imagine an island paradise: warm crystal clear blue water, palm trees, and white sand. And the sunsets were amazing, weren’t they? That’s where we were.

Brodie: It was kind of hard to leave, wasn’t it?

TCP: But that was only one part of your trip.

Rita: That’s right. I’ve been to Europe a few times when I was modeling, but Brodie’s never been. So, I showed him just a few of my fave spots.

TCP: Can you tell us where you went, that you might recommend?

Brodie: You might need to come back to do a travel-focused piece for that. (He laughs). I liked pretty much everywhere we went. (Brodie holds Rita’s hand.) Rome was incredible. The layers of history just blow my mind. And the food. Wow. There was one particular bar that served the best pizza I’ve ever tasted. And London was fun. Gosh… So many cool places. We definitely want to travel some more.

TCP: So, Brodie. You’ve retired from professional football. Any regrets?

Brodie: I knew this question would come up. Ha! Listen. Playing football has a use-by date. It is a young person’s sport. And now I’m old, my body can’t take the punishment anymore! (Brodie laughs) It was a privilege to play for an outstanding team. I will always be grateful to the players, management, and the fans, for a fantastic time. Winning against the Dolphins in my last game was the icing on the cake. But, you know, when I walked off the field, after the final whistle, I knew that was it. And I felt fine about it. What a way to retire, huh? When you play high-level sport, there’s little room for anything else, really. But I want other things in my life now. I have waited a long time to be with Rita and I’m planning to make the most of it.

---