The Matchmaker - Ben Shelton

The Matchmaker - Ben Shelton

I never thought the day I met Coco Gauff would lead me to the love of my life. Tennis was never really my thing, I was more of a “sit on the couch with snacks and watch” type of person. But my best friend, Coco, was a different story. She lived and breathed the game, and somehow, our worlds collided through that love of hers.

It all started when she dragged me to one of her matches. I’d been to a few before, always cheering loudly, pretending I knew what a “double fault” was. But this one was special. She had just turned 20, and it felt like she had the world at her feet.

After the match, Coco insisted I come backstage with her. “Come on, you’re practically family,” she said, throwing her arm around me as we navigated through the bustling crowd of fans and media.

As soon as we entered the players' lounge, I was hit with a wall of tennis players chatting, stretching, and looking far more relaxed than they had any right to be after hours of intense games. I tried to keep it cool, but my heart started racing when I realized that I was surrounded by some of the biggest names in tennis.

“Hey, I want you to meet someone,” Coco nudged me, grinning like she knew something I didn’t. Before I could ask who, a tall, strikingly handsome guy with messy, curly hair and the brightest smile I’d ever seen walked over. He was all golden skin, bright energy, and… well, completely out of my league.

“Ben!” Coco called, waving him over as if she hadn’t just won one of the biggest matches of the tournament. “This is Y/N, my best friend.”

“Hey, nice to meet you,” Ben said, his voice warm as he extended his hand. When our fingers touched, it felt like I’d stuck my hand in an electrical socket. I managed to stammer out a “hi” as Coco continued.

“She’s been to almost all my matches. Kind of like my personal cheerleader.”

“Sounds like you’re the real MVP here,” Ben said, flashing me that winning smile of his. Was it just me, or was he looking at me a little too intently? The air between us suddenly felt charged, and I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it.

The next hour was a blur of jokes, light teasing from Coco, and Ben being… well, perfect. He was funny, sharp, and made me laugh so hard my sides ached. When he left to catch up with his team, I gave Coco a look.

“Okay, what was that?” I asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

She smirked, crossing her arms. “That was me introducing you to someone who might just be your perfect match.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come on. You’re being ridiculous.”

“Am I? I saw the way you two looked at each other. And he never acts like that around anyone,” she teased, bumping my shoulder.

I shrugged it off, but I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Over the next few weeks, Coco invited me to a few more tournaments, and every time, Ben was there. We’d chat, laugh, and spend more time together, and soon, I found myself looking forward to seeing him more than the actual matches.

One evening after a particularly tough match for Ben, he found me alone in the players' lounge. Everyone else had gone, leaving just the two of us. I could tell he was frustrated, his forehead was creased, and he had that “I’m still replaying every mistake” look in his eyes.

“Rough day?” I asked softly as he sat beside me, running a hand through his curls.

“Yeah. I just couldn’t get in the zone. Everything felt off,” he muttered, his shoulders slumping.

I wasn’t sure what to say, so I just stayed quiet, offering him a soft smile. Eventually, he turned to me, his eyes softening.

“You know, I’ve been thinking…” he started, trailing off as he looked down at his hands.

I raised an eyebrow, urging him to continue.

“These past few weeks have been… different. Because of you.” His voice was quieter now, and I felt my heart start to race again, just like the first time we met.

“Oh?” I tried to play it cool, but my voice cracked slightly.

He chuckled at my attempt to stay calm, but then his expression grew serious. “You’ve become someone I really care about, Y/N. I… I don’t know how to explain it, but I’ve never felt this way before.”

My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him, trying to process his words.

“I feel the same way,” I whispered, and the smile that spread across his face was enough to light up the entire room.

Before I knew it, Ben had closed the distance between us, gently cupping my face in his hands. Our lips met in a soft, tentative kiss, and I felt every nerve in my body light up. It was gentle at first, like we were testing the waters, but soon, it deepened, and I felt like I was floating.

When we finally pulled apart, Ben rested his forehead against mine, both of us smiling like idiots.

“I guess Coco was right,” he murmured, his breath warm against my skin.

“About what?”

“That we’re perfect for each other.”

Since that day, everything changed. Coco loved to remind us that she’d basically played matchmaker, claiming full credit for our relationship. And honestly? I wasn’t going to argue with her.

Ben and I were inseparable. From late-night calls when he was on the road, to quiet mornings spent tangled up together on off-days, every moment with him felt like a dream. He was kind, thoughtful, and made me laugh in ways I never thought possible. And when he held me close, it was like the world outside didn’t exist.

One year after we officially got together, we found ourselves at another one of Coco’s tournaments. This time, I was more interested in Ben’s matches than ever before, cheering him on like my life depended on it. And every time he looked up at me from the court, my heart skipped a beat.

During a break, I spotted Coco grinning at us from across the court, raising her eyebrow in that knowing way. She walked over, giving me a tight hug.

“See? I told you I’m good at this matchmaking thing,” she said, winking.

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide the smile on my face. “Okay, okay. You were right.”

“Of course I was,” she said, flipping her hair dramatically.

I couldn’t help but laugh, feeling grateful for her, and for Ben. If it weren’t for that fateful introduction, I never would’ve met the person who made my world a little brighter every day.

I’ll forever be thankful to Coco for bringing Ben into my life.