Page 22 of What Broke First
Chapter 12: Reality Bites
Matt found out about Carter the same way most men find out about the person replacing them: too late, and from someone who didn’t mean any harm.
It was Tommy, oblivious and honest as ever, who let it slip.
“Mom went to a restaurant with a man named Carter,” he said between bites of cereal.
“He wore a jacket even though it wasn’t cold. And he said the word ‘hella,’ which is funny.”
Matt froze, spoon halfway to his mouth. “Carter?”
Tommy nodded, chewing. “Yeah. He said he was gonna beat me at checkers, but I crushed him. Mom laughed a lot.”
Matt forced a laugh too. He poured more coffee, hoping it would drown the sudden, irrational burn in his chest. It didn’t.
He had no right to be jealous. He knew that. He’d lost his rights the second he betrayed her. Still, the thought of Sarah smiling across the table at some guy who said “hella” like it was charming made Matt want to put his fist through the nearest drywall.
He was on his third cup of coffee, hunched over a half-built Lego castle with Tommy, when she finally texted.
Sarah: Hey, I’ll be by around five to pick them up.
He stared at the message for a full minute before answering.
Matt: Cool. Take your time. They’re having a blast.
That was the truth. Emily was curled up on the couch watching Frozen 2 for the hundredth time, and Tommy had already declared he wanted to live in this Lego castle forever. Matt had even caught himself humming “Into the Unknown” under his breath, like some washed-up dad in a Disney montage.
Five came too fast.
Sarah pulled up in her sensible SUV, hair down, lips red, and wearing jeans that made Matt question every life choice he’d made since sophomore year.
The kids squealed and launched into their end-of-visit rituals. Emily shoved coloring pages into her backpack like they were national treasures, and Tommy dramatically collapsed because he “just needed five more minutes, pleeeease.”
Matt walked them to the car. Sarah opened the door wordlessly and helped Emily into her booster.
“You look...” he started.
She raised an eyebrow. “What?”
He faltered. “Nice. You look nice.”
“Thanks.” She slammed the car door shut. “I have plans.”
That landed like a slap.
“Plans,” he echoed, like he’d never heard the word before.
“Yup.”
“With Carter?” The name felt stupid in his mouth.
Sarah gave him a look so sharp it could’ve cut glass.
“Matt, if you’re about to get jealous, let me remind you, you had your chance. Multiple naked chances.”
He blinked. “I’m not jealous.”
“Oh, really?”
