After careful consideration, I decided to tell Brady about the situation with Matt. Not only was feeling guilty about it, I know that if Brady kept something like that from me, I would kick his ass. I determined that the best time to tell him would be on our way to Dallas because he wouldn’t be able to yell at me or kick me out, plus we would be together for the entire weekend so it’s not like he could avoid me.

The first thing Brady commented on once we got settled into our seats was the little shorts I was wearing. He said they were cute (probably because my ass cheeks were a centimeter from falling out). Life hack: if you’re a fairly small adult, shop in the kids section for adorable girly clothing items. You can save so much money! I have a closet half full of children’s clothing.

After the whole takeoff thing and we were safely on our way to Dallas I said, “I have to tell you something but you have to promise not to get mad.”

Brady laughed. “I can’t make any promises.”

“Promiseeeee,” I whined.

“It depends on what it is,” he said.

“It isn’t even that bad,” I said, starting to backtrack.

“Just tell me,” Brady said.

“K.” I already had everything I wanted to say planned out. “Do you remember that guy Matt? The one who I met when I got upgraded to first class?”

“Yeah.” Brady was adjusting in his seat and it was making me anxious so I waited until he was finished to continue.

“Well, he’s married. His wife texted me and I guess she read through all the inappropriate texts he sent me,” I explained.

Brady stared at me like he was waiting for me to get to the point.

“Last weekend when I was mad at you he texted me. I just wanted you to know…”

“What did he text you?” Brady asked.

“Um.” The thought of saying Matt’s text messages out loud made me nauseous. “You can read it.”

I pulled up the thread, scrolled up a bit and handed the phone to Brady. For some reason I didn’t think he would really take it and read it, but he did. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Brady with my phone in his hand and it gave me anxiety. I watched his face closely to gauge his reaction. He kept a straight face the entire time then handed me my phone back without saying anything or looking at me.

“So yeah,” I said, tucking my phone into my bag. “I just wanted you to know that happened.”

Brady glanced out the window then straight ahead without saying anything to me. I’m not sure what I expected him to say, but I definitely expected to him to say something.

“So… Yeah. That’s what I had to tell you. Are you mad?”

Brady didn’t say anything for a minute so I said, “Hmm?”

Finally he said, “What the fuck goes on in your head, Reese?”

I started to say, “Excuse me?” but he cut me off.

“We already had this conversation so I don’t understand why you continued entertaining him.”

“I don’t know. You were being mean to me.”

“Because I called you needy? Do you seriously need that much attention, Reese?”

“No…”

“What’s wrong with you? Why would you even show me that shit? You go out of your way to cause controversy.”

“Bradyyy, don’t be meannn,” I whined.

Brady watched me about to throw a tantrum and rolled his eyes. “You’re such a baby. Grow up.”

Whoa. Okay. I actually felt like I might cry when he said that. It’s not a good feeling when someone as nice as Brady puts you in your place. I watched him pull his laptop out of his bag and decided to give him some time to cool off. I put my earbuds in and listened to music until I dozed off.

I woke up thirty minutes later. I sat up in my seat feeling excited for the weekend’s festivities. I saw Brady glance at me out of the corner of his eye then look back at his computer and pretend not to see me.

“Hey,” I said. “I’m sorry for entertaining him. Don’t be pissed. Let’s have a good weekend.”

“Okay,” Brady said, not looking up. So I shut his laptop. He looked at me and I gave him a huge smile and grabbed his hand. That made him laugh.

“I blocked him and I’ll never have to talk to him again. Don’t you worry,” I assured him.

“I just don’t understand why you put yourself in that situation in the first place,” Brady said.

I shrugged and gave a look like, “Oopsies?”

“He’s such a creep,” Brady mumbled. After that we didn’t talk about Matt again.

When we landed in Dallas, we immediately went to our hotel to check in. As soon as we sat our bags down I said, “Let’s go out!”

On cue, Brady yawned. “Aren’t you tired?”

I was, but I wanted to go out more. We compromised by going to the bar at the hotel. We were staying in the downtown area, and the bar was on the rooftop. You could see the entire city from the roof and I insisted Brady take some pictures of me with the Dallas skyline behind me even though I looked like shit from traveling all day. I like to be a tourist sometimes.

Then we sat down at the bar and started drinking and talking. I described to Brady the cast of characters who we would be probably run into at the wedding including Brandie and her soon to be husband, Daniel, Lauren (who he’s heard a ton of stories about already), Ronnie (a friend of my ex’s from college who visited Chicago a few months ago) and possibly my ex. I didn’t have any confirmed reports that he would be there, but I knew there was a strong chance.

After some shots and drinks, Brady and I went to a corner to dance. We were drunk and couldn’t keep our hands off each other. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this, but Brady dances pretty good (when he’s drunk) for a white guy from Massachusetts. He can keep up with me pretty well. So I grinded on him until I felt him get a boner then I turned around and we made out/talked about how much we love each other.

“Let’s go back to the room,” Brady said and I nodded enthusiastically.

Drunk hotel sex is the best.

The wedding wasn’t until Saturday evening so we spent the day exploring. I know I’m not really allowed to say this since I’m from Houston, but I love Dallas. Something about about it just feels like home to me. It almost reminds me of college for some reason, but I love it. Plus, I feel like I kind of know the city from visiting so much (my ex is from Dallas mind you) so I kind of showed Brady around.

Oh this is cute. I was checking sixteen hours of Instagram posts while we were at lunch and saw that Brady uploaded the picture he took of me from the hotel bar. I actually looked pretty cute and his caption was, “My girl.” I can’t even. 

The actual wedding was at a beautiful church in Highland Park. We sat next to Lauren and her boyfriend, who I hadn’t seen in close to a year. She’d texted me on Friday night to see if I was in town yet and I forgot to respond so I felt like a bitch when I saw her.

“Ah, you’re alive!” she greeted me and we hugged.

“It’s been forever! Miss you!” I said as we pulled away.

“You’re so hot! Jeez girl, you can’t come here and show up the bride like that,” Lauren laughed.

I was wearing this dress which I was kind of hesitant to wear at first because it seemed a little showy for a wedding. But then I realized it was Brandie’s wedding and she would want me to look hot. Plus I wore my hair down so you couldn’t really see all of the back. Lauren was wearing a watermelon colored dress with a similar silhouette and even though her hair is several shades lighter than mine now, I knew everyone was going to mix us up.

We introduced our boyfriends to each other. It’s kind of funny because in college Lauren had never had a boyfriend before and now she has this serious boyfriend who she is obsessed with. She makes Facebook statuses like, “Can’t wait to see the love of my life, it’s been ten long hours since we’ve seen each other,” and “My soulmate surprised me with tickets to see my favorite band. He’s perfect, how did I get so lucky?” It’s so weird. We used to make fun of girls like that in college. I wonder if I’ll ever be so in love that I feel like I need to post statuses like that on Facebook. That’s not my personality at all to post sappy shit like that online at all, but I didn’t think it was Lauren’s either. Sometimes I wonder if that means I haven’t found my “soulmate” at all yet. Like I love Brady a ton, but there must be someone else out there who I will love so much that I need to make statuses about him. Right?

So I met Mr. Perfect and he was not at all what I was expecting. But good for Lauren. I’m happy for her.

After the introductions were made Lauren said something like, “How do you deal with her, Brady? She’s so crazy!”

And Brady said, “You know, I’m not really sure.”

I elbowed him in his ribs probably a lot harder than necessary. I get that it was supposed to be a joke, but rude. Lauren is just as crazy, if not crazier than me.

The ceremony was really nice. I cried. I always cry when people I know get married. It’s just so sweet I can’t help it. I saw a ton of people from college and we stayed in the church for a while catching up.

The reception was on the top floor of a high rise building in downtown Dallas overlooking the city. By this time it was dark and the view was so pretty. I think the place is usually a nightclub because there was a booth for the DJ plus tables and booths lining the walls with a dance floor in the middle. Wedding reception goals. It was so Brandie.

I introduced Brady to everyone including Brandie and Daniel. I was keeping an eye out for my ex and started to think he wouldn’t be there. I was okay with that.

There was an open bar, but luckily I was too busy catching up with everyone to drink a lot. I think Brady was kind of overwhelmed with it all. Can you imagine: a tall bride wearing a mermaid gown surrounded by ten fast talking girls in tiny dresses who all squealed when a Ke$ha song came on? We’re so fucking lame. So Brady went back to the table to wait for me.

We saw Ronnie first. The last time I saw Ronnie I started sobbing uncontrollably when he mentioned my ex. What a hot mess. So this time, he hugged me and shook Brady’s hand and asked who all I’d seen so far. And then I asked who he was there with. I meant like as a date, but Ronnie said, “Devin’s here. Somewhere.”

I legitimately thought I was going to vomit and had to turn my head away to hide my face.

“Okay. I haven’t seen him,” I said.

So once I knew for sure my ex was there, I was on high alert. I couldn’t stop looking around for him. I didn’t want to be caught off guard doing something stupid, you know?

We finally ran into him when Brady and I went to the bar for another drink. And he caught me off guard. I grabbed my tequila sunrise and turned to look around (for Devin) when I felt someone tap my arm rather violently.

“What’s up?!” Devin said all affectionately like we are long lost friends. He was wearing a white dress shirt with way too many buttons undone at the top, black cuffed skinny pants and these ridiculous red loafers. He’s so fucking flashy I can’t even stand it.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Hi.”

I think Devin expected a different reaction from me (my eyes lighting up, me falling over to kiss his feet, hugging him or something) and he laughed. Devin has such a good smile with his perfect teeth. That’s like the only good thing about him. That and his…nevermind. “How have you been though?”

“I’m great,” I said shortly. I realized that with his red shoes and my red dress, we kind of matched and it irritated me.

Devin’s eyes traveled the length of my body a few times and then he said, “You look sexy!” like he was surprised. Did he expect me to be ugly/fat/frumpy?

“Anyways, this is my boyfriend,” I said, ignoring the inappropriate comment. I can’t lie though, Devin calling me sexy made me feel something. I’m not sure what, but something. I reached behind me and grabbed Brady’s arm.

The look on Devin’s face was priceless. He looked so surprised. I assumed Ronnie would have told him that I have a boyfriend since they talk pretty often. Or someone would have told him (I have him blocked on all social networks). But I guess not.

“This is Devin,” I said to Brady, trying to communicate that I didn’t appreciate being called sexy like that with my eyes.

Brady barely looked at me before reaching out to shake Devin’s hand. Brady really is clueless sometimes and sucks at eye communication. Devin still seemed to be in shock and didn’t take his eyes off me as he shook Brady’s hand. I got that protective feeling. Brady isn’t very big and Devin is a tall former college athlete. Like it’s unfair.

“Hi, how are you?” Brady asked.

Devin laughed and shook his head. I don’t know what he was laughing at, but I started sharpening my claws.

“So what are you doing in LA? I heard going pro didn’t work out for you.” I gave a look that said, “Tsk, tsk, what a shame.”

“Promotional marketing,” he said, not acknowledging my jab at him.

“Okay. For who?”

“We have Nike as a client.”

“Nike? A huge company like Nike needs you to do promotional marketing for them?” I looked skeptical.

Devin smiled the same smile he gave me when I asked if he had sex with one of the volleyball players in college. “Apparently.”

I wanted to fucking punch him. But I’m mature now so I said, “Okay well I hope you have a great night!” I grabbed Brady’s hand and pulled him away until we were on the other side of the room.

“I hate him,” I declared once we were alone.

“Yikes. I can tell,” Brady said smiling.

“He’s such a dick, right? He’s so cocky and annoying.”

“He didn’t seem too bad,” Brady said. He’s always defending my enemies so I dropped the subject before I got mad.

We danced and listened to the toasts, watched the bride and groom cut the cake and danced some more. After Brandie threw the bouquet (I didn’t even try to catch it, don’t wanna jinx myself!) we all just hung out and drank and ate cake. Since the wedding started later and it was night time at this point, they didn’t have to bother with serving dinner at this point. Such a smart idea! Stealing.

I was hanging out with Brady, Lauren and her boyfriend near our table and Devin, Ronnie and their friends came over to us. Brady was talking to Lauren’s boyfriend so Devin seemed to take advantage of the fact that he wasn’t paying attention.

“So you think you’re over me?” Devin said with a smirk.

“Oh my God, go away,” I groaned.

“You’re not. I can tell you’re not,” he grinned.

“You wish. I literally do not ever think about you.”

“That’s far from the truth and we both know that,” Devin said and I rolled my eyes. “I know he can’t handle you.”

“Who?”

Devin nodded toward Brady.

“Oh shut up, Devin. You don’t know what you’re talking about. Just leave me alone. You’re so fucking annoying.”

“You’re mad because you know it’s true.”

“No I’m mad because you were a waste of my time. You don’t even have a real job.”

Devin started laughing. You know how I know I’m over him? Years ago I would have engaged in an argument with him but I just flipped my hair and turned away.

“Stop by tonight and I’ll remind you why you’re in love with me,” I heard Devin say.

I turned around and gave him a look to show him how disgusted I was. He bit his lip and stared me down.

“I would actually rather die,” I said.

I turned back around and heard Devin call me a bitch. Whatever. I don’t give a shit what he thinks anymore. Brady looked at me and I must have looked pissed or upset because he glanced at Devin then asked if I was okay.

I said yes and pulled Brady away so we could go to the bar. I was not drunk enough for this. The next time we saw Devin, he was sitting at one of the tables with Ronnie and their friends. As we walked past, I saw Devin lean down over the table then sit back upright and rub his nose. They were snorting coke at Brandie and Daniel’s wedding reception! I would have someone murdered for doing that. I think Brady saw the violation also, but we didn’t discuss it. We actually didn’t discuss Devin again which was fine with me.

The wedding and reception (aside from my asshole ex boyfriend) were really good. I loved catching up with everyone. After the reception, Lauren and I suggested we go to a bar nearby because turn down for what? Plus we looked really cute.

When Brady and I finally got back to the hotel, it was close to 3 AM and we were drunk. I was exhausted. I fell back on the bed and asked Brady to undress me. He took off my shoes and then pulled my dress off.

“I love you so much,” I said happily.

“I love you,” Brady said, starting to get undressed himself.

“Do you think we’re soulmates?” I asked.

“Mmhm.”

“Do you think we’re going to get married?”

“Mmhm. If you say yes,” Brady smiled at me.

I squealed. “And we can have a wedding even better than Brandie’s!”

“Or we could skip the wedding all together and just get married.”

I scrunched my nose. “Why would we do that when we could have a huge wedding?”

“Okay. We can have a big wedding. Whatever.” Brady laughed like I was being ridiculous which I was. Someone once told me that if you can’t get married at the courthouse and be happy then you are getting married for the wrong reasons. I mean I get that, but why get married in the courthouse when you can have a big, beautiful wedding and reception?

On Sunday I didn’t want to get out of bed like a typical Sunday. Plus the hotel bed was super comfy. Brady finally said the word “brunch” and I jumped up. Bitches love brunch. I showered and put on shorts, a Wildfox jumper and Converse. I didn’t bother with makeup and put my hair in the highest pony ever.

At the restaurant I couldn’t decide what I wanted so I ordered wild berry pancakes, smoked salmon eggs benedict (I don’t even like salmon, why did I order that?), chocolate covered donut holes and French fries. When the server sat it all on the table I was so, so excited to go to town. Brady found it adorable and insisted on taking a picture of me and my feast.

Obviously I didn’t even finish half of it even though I tried. It was so good. After brunch we went shopping and I got some very necessary pieces for summer. Ronnie texted me during the day and asked if I was still in Dallas. I debated responding to see what he wanted then decided against it. Ronnie is guilty by association.

So what a fun weekend. I hope one day my wedding is as fun as Brandie’s. I was so tired at work on Monday, but I was really busy with projects. Guess who texted me during lunch?

Andrew.

He said, “Hey Reese. I’m having trouble finding this file you were working on. Any idea where it could be?”

I replied with the location I left the file and he said, “Thanks a lot! I didn’t think to look there. I hope you’re doing great!”

I thought it was sweet so I said back, “Thanks Andrew! I hope you are too!” We could be cordial right? I never knew when I would need him.

A little while later Andrew said, “I’ll be in Chicago this weekend. Perhaps we could get dinner? I’d love to hear about your new job.”

Oh no. No no no. I bit my lip and said, “I don’t think my boyfriend would like that. I love my new job so much though!”

Did he ask me on a date or did I jump to conclusions? Dinner sounds like a date though so I don’t feel that bad.

Andrew said, “Ah, ok…have a good week Reese.”

Speaking of the weekend, we (Brady and Chris) are supposed to have people over for Memorial Day. As long as no one dumb shows up (Jessica, Maddie, Paul, etc) it should be a good time!