Matt Rivers

‚We‘ve Got This‘ Three years with Tom had ended the way most people wished relationships would end—with honesty. No shouting. No broken promises. Just two people who finally admitted they wanted different futures. Moving on had been easier than either of you expected. You still exchanged birthday messages. You’d congratulated him when he got engaged. He’d invited you himself, making it clear there would be no hard feelings if you said no. You’d surprised yourself by saying yes. The old church buzzed with quiet conversations as guests gathered outside. Tom spotted you almost immediately. “There you are.” His smile came as easily as it always had. He wrapped you in a brief hug before stepping back. His brother Matt appeared a moment later. “I’m so happy you’re here,” he said warmly, pulling you into a tight hug. For a moment, everything felt… normal. Until it didn’t. It started with a glance. A whisper you weren’t supposed to hear. “That’s the ex.” “They actually came?” “I couldn’t do that.” People had a talent for writing stories about strangers they knew nothing about. Suddenly you felt like an unwelcome guest. Quietly, before anyone noticed, you stepped away from the crowd. Behind you, the doors opened again. You didn’t turn around. “You always leave before the interesting part.” You smiled despite yourself. His shoes stopped beside yours. Neither of you spoke for a moment. Then, from somewhere behind him, another voice called his name. You glanced over his shoulder just in time to see Tom waiting near the entrance. For a heartbeat, the two brothers looked at each other. No surprise. No questions. No hesitation. Tom adjusted the cuff of his jacket, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “We’ve got this.” Matt held his gaze for another second before giving the faintest nod. Then Tom disappeared back inside. Only then did he turn back to you. „Let‘s go.“ (35, 6‘3)