Chapter 3
MATEO
“Uncle Maty,” Wrenley yelled across the indoor field, her voice echoing. “Look at me!”
I watched the energetic four-year-old run down the field, holding the giant football in her arms as my teammates ran after her, Wren’s laughter filling the practice field.
While she had a blast zipping around, Jayden was trying to hold onto our blocking dummies as a few other teammates softly pushed them. Kai giggled away, too, as Perry and Jake took turns running around with her on their back.
“They’re going to be exhausted later,” I commented to Wyatt as the two of us slowly walked along the side of the fake grass. It worked well that we had practice inside today so the kids weren’t out in the blazing sun.
“Good. They’ve been up since six this morning,” Wyatt said, smiling as he watched his kids.
“Thanks for coming today. Sorry about all of that.” I gestured to the teammates still on the field.
When my family showed up to the practice field a half hour ago, you would have thought a king were here. The way my team acted upon seeing Wyatt was comical—especially Perry. The guy looked like he wanted to pass out when my brother greeted him.
Half the team shoved each other out of the way to ask Wyatt for a picture. Thankfully, my brother was used to it and didn’t bat an eye. Josie was more than happy to take the pictures, even teasing my brother as she did.
He waved me off. “It’s all good, I don’t mind.”
“Just love the attention, don’t you?” I nudged him with my shoulder, grinning.
“I’m not the one plastered on gossip sites,” Wyatt shot back.
“You used to be.” Back in the day when Wyatt first started in the hockey league, he was all over social media with women. Of course all that changed when he met Josie. He still trends regularly, but it has to do with hockey and his relationship with Josie now.
“A lifetime ago.”
“You really are old,” I remarked.
Wyatt gave me a look. “You haven’t grown up, have you?”
I just shook my head with a grin. “Nope.”
The two of us were quiet for another minute as we walked along the field.
I might have seen Wyatt about three weeks ago when I was home for postseason, but it felt like ages ago now.
Our lives were so hectic with football, hockey, and kids that we didn’t typically get a moment for just the two of us.
“How’s everything been?” Wyatt asked a moment later.
“Good.” I moved the football between my hands. I didn’t have a lot to complain about. I got to do the thing I loved most for a living. I had a great apartment and the means to afford it. I had friends and an entire team that supported me.
“You’ve become a better liar, but your tell is still the same.” Wyatt shot me a look as we both came to a stop.
“I don’t have a tell.”
“Yes, you do.” He eyed the football in my grip. “What’s up?”
He wasn’t going to let it go until I said what was on my mind.
Both him and Landon had a weird sense of knowing when I was hiding something.
Always had. Like the time I tried to get away with failing calculus.
All it took was one look at me and they knew something was up.
Guess time and distance didn’t change that.
“I’m just…anxious with the new season coming up.” It was only partly the truth, but I wasn’t ready to fully talk about the anxiety that filled me when I thought of this upcoming season.
“That’s normal. I’d be a little worried if you didn’t feel that way.” Wyatt crossed his arm and looked at me in understanding. He got the pressure that came with playing a professional sport and the expectations to be at the top of your game.
“You need to remember you can only control what’s in front of you. You can’t control how your teammates will play. You can’t control how the other team will do. As long as you step out onto the field and play the best you can, it’s a win.”
I understood what he was saying. But as the quarterback, I still had that feeling, that pressure, to make sure the team won. The weight of it all didn’t solely rest on my shoulders, but it sometimes felt like it did.
“You have a great team behind you. I know you guys will do well this year.” He reached out and clapped my shoulder. “It’s only one season. There will be plenty more.”
“Yeah.” Before Wyatt could push more on the subject, a small but fast body slammed into the back of my legs. Beyond grateful for the interruption, I made a huge show of falling forward onto the grass.
“I gotchu,” Kai screamed loudly. I fake groaned and rolled onto my back. Discomfort tore through me when she jumped on my stomach, turning the tortured sound that came out of my mouth real. Pure dead weight settled as she bounced on top of me and cheered.
Wyatt grinned, standing there watching his niece use me as a bouncy toy. “Did you get Uncle Matty?”
“I did!!” Each word was enunciated with a bounce.
“Yes, you did,” I grunted, the breath getting knocked from my lungs. “Wyatt, a little help over here,” I wheezed.
The asshole just stood there and let Kai continue. “I’m good.”
“You are such an asshole,” I muttered under my breath.
“Ohhh, Uncle Maty said a bad word!” Kai announced, sitting still on my stomach. Shit. Lydia will have my head for swearing in front of her daughter again.
“How about we go find Wrenley?” Before she could start moving again, I hooked my arm around her and jumped to my feet. Kai’s giggles filled my ears as I shifted her onto my shoulders, hands gripping her little legs as her hands grasped my chin.
As I started walking back toward everyone, I shot a glare over at Wyatt. He just laughed and followed after us.
Up ahead, the others were standing around watching as Wrenley and Jayden played with a couple of footballs.
“Hold tight, cupcake,” I warned Kai. Once her grip on my chin was almost choking me, I ran toward the group. Kai giggled and squealed, not at all fazed by the height. She was fearless, and I just knew she was going to give Landon and Lydia mini heart attacks when she got older.
“MATEO BOONE! YOU DROP MY DAUGHTER AND I WILL MAKE SURE YOU WALK WITH A LIMP FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!” Lydia yelled.
“I would never!” I called back. I would rather fall and break my leg than ever let any of my nieces or nephew get hurt. I never knew the lengths I’d go to make sure Kai, Wrenley, and Jayden were safe until they were born.
When I came to a stop in front of everyone, I swung Kai off my shoulders. Before setting her on the ground, I planted a kiss on her cheek with a loud mwah. As soon as she could, she darted for her cousins.
“Man, she has energy,” I commented, rubbing my neck from how hard she gripped it.
“She’s a handful,” Landon said, but a soft smile graced his face. Who knew the grumpy man could actually smile. Something he never did until he met Lydia.
“Thanks for letting us drop by today, Maty.” Josie came up to my side and flashed me a grin. Throwing my arm over her shoulder, I gave her one of my own.
“Of course. Glad you guys could come.” I looked at Josie and Lydia before asking a question I knew would start something. “So, we’ve decided that football is way sexier than hockey, right?”
Wyatt shot me an unimpressed look. “Excuse me?”
“What? I think we all know I’m the sexiest one here. Tasha, Mila, Trevor, and Bryton would agree if they were here.”
“I think your ego grows every time we see you,” Landon deadpanned.
I just grinned. My favorite pastime was giving my brothers shit. It was beyond entertaining. You’d think after all these years the guys wouldn’t fall for the bait, but they always did.
“Not ego if it's the truth. Right, babe?” I smirked at Josie.
“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” She shook her head at me, but she looked amused.
I shrugged. “Nope.”
“One day, they’re going to kick your ass,” Lydia remarked.
“They’ve been trying for years.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m not concerned.”
Wyatt’s eyes narrowed in my direction. “Just because our kids are here doesn’t mean we won’t beat your ass.”
“Oh, I’m so scared.” I took my arm off of Josie’s shoulder and waved both hands in front of me. I was purposely goading them, but that’s what I did. I was the one that kept things lighthearted and fun around here.
Landon tilted his head toward Wyatt. “Want me to go first or you?”
Wyatt waved him forward. “By all means.”
I bounced on my toes, lips curled into a smile, because I knew what was coming. I twisted on my back foot and turned just as Landon lunged in my direction. With a loud cackle, I took off across the field.
“Mateo!” Landon yelled.
Never wanting to be left out, little yells came from my nieces and nephew. A quick glance over my shoulder confirmed their involvement as they ran after their dads, Landon and Wyatt right behind me.
It was beyond adorable watching their little legs try and keep up. The few teammates that were still on the field stood there and watched. When I ran past Jake and Perry, the two cheered.
With a wide grin, I turned in a circle, breezing past my brothers. Little Jayden was the closest, so with one arm, I reached down and swooped him up.
“Gotcha.” I ran toward Josie and Lydia, the two standing there watching us behave like children. Jayden giggled as I hoisted him in my arm and ran faster. I could feel Wyatt and Landon right behind me, so I did the only thing that I knew would work.
Stopping right before the girls, I turned and held Jayden out like he was Simba on The Lion King. The last thing they would do was tackle me with him in my arms.
Jayden’s legs kicked the air as my brothers came to a stop in front of us, breathing heavily. I grinned victoriously as they glared at me.
“Are you seriously using my son against me?” Wyatt asked.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “You’d never let your daddy hurt me, huh, Jay-Jay?” I tossed him up in the air as he giggled.
“Okay, first off, never say the word daddy again.” Wyatt faked gagged. “And second, Josie will kill you if you keep doing that.”
“Just because I’m not a dad doesn’t mean I can’t be a daddy.” I forced my face to remain neutral.