Chapter 1 #2
The entire wall in the living room consisted of windows that looked out at the city of Buffalo.
The view was beautiful from up here. Being this high up, I could see the Niagara River separating the US from Canada on one side and the entire city on the other.
I spent countless hours just sitting here and staring.
Stripping out of my clothes, I stepped under the warm water, that had not one but two waterfall shower heads. All the sweat from practice washing away. Bracing my hands on the tile in front of me, I bent my head down and let the water hit my back to encourage my muscles to relax.
I spent more time than I should have standing under the water, my mind going a million miles a minute. Thinking of different plays, the upcoming season, my family… If I didn’t have to meet my brothers, I would have gone to the gym to try and silence my mind a little.
Knowing I needed to get going, I finished up before padding to my bedroom to get dressed. Being this high up made it easy for me to do my favorite thing—walk around naked. I pulled out a pair of blue board shorts and a green shirt, slipping them on before fishing for my shoes.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to fix it enough to look halfway decent. The sides were cut shorter with the top and back being a bit longer. Over the years, my sandy blond color turned a few shades darker, making me look even more like my two brothers.
Once I looked presentable to go outside, I snatched my keys and wallet before heading back out the door.
Even though the restaurant we typically went to was just a few blocks over, I decided to drive.
I wasn’t in the mood to be stopped every ten steps to talk about football.
Not when I had my family waiting for me.
Our go-to restaurant in Buffalo was this hole-in-the-wall pizza place, Alessandro’s. It was similar to the one back home in Toronto. When I was younger, my brothers and I had a weekly tradition of going out to eat to catch up.
Since I lived in the US now, we couldn’t go to that place, but whenever they managed to come visit, we came here. I walked down the sidewalk after finding a parking spot, and then I heard a childlike voice yell my name.
“Maty!”
With pure reflexes, I turned around and squatted just in time to catch a little body running at me. The little blonde head tilted back so I could see the bright green eyes staring at me, toothy smile so wide.
“And who are you?” I made my face scrunch up like I was confused on who the little girl was.
“It’s me, Uncle Maty! Kai!” she screamed, not caring about bursting my eardrums.
“Oh, Kai! I didn’t recognize you from how big you’ve gotten.” I twirled us around, making Kai squeal, the sound making me grin.
Catching sight of the couple walking toward us, I moved Kai to my hip. At five she was easy to carry around.
“I didn’t know you guys were bringing the kids.” My older brother, Landon, and his wife, Lydia, walked up with smiles. I knew they weren’t directed at me but the little girl in my arms.
“We figured it would be a while before we all saw each other with your season starting,” Lydia said, arm wrapped around my brother. It was hard to believe the two of them used to hate each other, and now here they were six years later, married with a daughter.
Before I could reply, another round of voices interrupted. I turned with Kai in my arms to see Wyatt walking toward us, his wife, Josie, pushing a stroller beside him.
My face split in half at the sight of my other niece and nephew as they got closer. Kai wiggled in my arms to be put down. The little girl in Wyatt’s arms did the same thing. We all stood there watching as the two girls ran toward each other.
Wyatt and Josie’s daughter, Wrenley, was best friends with Kai. Since they lived by each other, Josie and Lydia had play dates for the kids constantly.
Wrenley’s twin brother, Jayden, waved his cute little chubby arms in the stroller as my brother and Josie came to a stop in front of us. Before anyone could say anything, I reached down and pulled him from the harness and into my arms.
“My little man.” I tossed him in the air, making him laugh.
“Mateo Boone!” Josie snapped. “Don’t you even dare.”
“He loves it, though.”
“Don’t care.” Her eyes narrowed at me. Ever since becoming a mom, Josie turned into this scary person—or rather, a mama bear. Regardless, I still shot her a grin.
“You’d think he would have learned his lesson months ago,” Landon muttered behind me.
“What can I say, I love to keep you all on your toes.” Josie nor Lydia were thrilled when I tossed the kids in the air.
It didn't matter that they only went a foot above me, and I was more than capable of catching them. Plus Jayden and Wrenley were four, so they loved it. I probably should have stopped after they reamed me the first time, but I couldn’t help myself.
“Momma.” Jayden made grabby hands for Josie, so I handed him over.
“You’re lucky she doesn’t cut your balls off,” Wyatt commented, smacking my back in greeting.
“Nah, she wouldn’t. Jo loves me.” I shot Josie a wink that had her rolling her eyes, but a smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. “We’ve always had a thing.”
“Uh huh.”
“Don’t worry. One day our love will triumph.” I dramatically threw my fist in the air. Damn, I really should have gone into acting.
Landon interrupted my performance. “Okay, let's get something to eat.”
“Pizzaaaa,” Wrenley yelled. I grabbed her and hauled her into my arms as we headed for Alessandro's.
“Let's go get one that doesn’t have gross pineapple on it.” I purposely said it loud enough that Josie heard, which earned me a, “Hey!”
As we all headed into the restaurant, Wrenley talked excitedly in my ear. Some of the words, I couldn’t understand, but I acted like I did, dramatically gasping so she’d giggle. I had no clue how cute kid’s laughter was until I became an uncle. Now, I’d do anything to hear the sound.
Thankfully, the restaurant wasn’t that busy.
Then again, it was only eleven o’clock on a Wednesday.
We grabbed a table near the back for some privacy, and everyone got the kids settled.
Kai and Wrenley sat together, working on the coloring pages the hostess gave us.
Jayden sat happily in Josie’s lap, chubby fingers playing with her brown hair.
“Where’s Tasha and Trevor?” I asked once everyone was settled in their seats.
“Tasha wasn’t feeling well, and Trevor said he had something planned for her,” Josie answered. “But they said they’ll be here for your first game.”
“Mom and Steven will be back from their cruise before then, too,” Landon added.
“Can’t believe they’re gone for a whole month on a cruise.” I shook my head. Being stuck on a boat for that long sounded like torture, but at least our mom was happy and out enjoying life. She deserved that more than anyone.
Evelyn Boone was the best mom anyone could ever ask for.
Our father—or, sperm donor, as I liked to call him—left when I was born, leaving my mom to take care of three boys on her own.
She worked multiple jobs to make sure we had everything we needed, always sacrificing her own happiness to make sure we could pursue our own passions.
There wasn’t a single game in high school or university that she didn’t come to. She was always front and center, cheering me on. And the same went with my brothers. We wouldn’t be the men we were today without her.
“I love that Steven surprised her with the cruise,” Josie sighed.
“Yeah, so cute,” Wyatt mumbled. Out of all of us, it was still weird for Wyatt to see his hockey coach dating our mom, but Steven Barnum was good to her.
“Honestly surprised he hasn’t proposed,” Lydia remarked. “They’ve been together a long time.”
Wanting to get the conversation away from the idea of my mom getting engaged, I changed the subject. “How’s Bryton and Mila doing with everything?”
Josie’s smile dampened a little, her arms tightening around Jayden.
“They’re doing okay. Of course Mila’s really disappointed the adoptive mom didn’t pick them, but they’re set to meet another one in a week or so.”
It sucked what the two were going through. They’d been trying for a baby over the last few years only to find out they couldn’t have one. Something to do with their biology. After a continuous string of bad news, they both decided they wanted to try adoption, but it hasn’t been an easy process.
“The next one is going to be it. I can feel it,” Lydia said with a firm nod, like if everyone said it enough times it could be true. Which I hoped was the case.
We all fell quiet before the waitress came back to take our order. Once she left, I held my hands out to Jayden, who was squirming in his mom’s lap.
“Want to come help me color, big guy?” We played a game of pass the kid until Jayden was in my lap, the two of us with crayons in our hands.
“So, how’s practice going?” Wyatt asked after a moment.
“Good. Been busy going over new plays.” Out of everyone, Wyatt knew exactly what I was talking about. The first few weeks of practice were mostly spent going over playbooks and memorizing routes. Probably the most tedious part of playing football.
“Which reminds me,” I looked up from the cartoon I was coloring in, “do you guys want to stop by practice tomorrow?” I decided not to mention Perry being the one that wanted Wyatt to come. I’d let Wyatt deal with him fangirling.
I could see Josie opening her mouth to ask about the kids, so I interrupted her before she could.
“The kids would love it, and Coach won’t mind.” I made a mental note to call him once we were done with lunch to ask. If everyone came after practice, there shouldn’t have been a problem with it. “Maybe play a little game of touch.”
Landon smirked. “Wouldn’t mind kicking your ass on the field.”
“I’d like to see you try, grandpa.”
“I’m only thirty-five, dipshit.”
“You couldn’t even catch me when I was seventeen, asshole,” I shot right back, no heat to my words.
Lydia jumped in, eyes narrowed. “Language.”
Her glare had the two of us shutting our mouths. Lydia Boone was someone you didn’t mess with. That glare was one that easily got all her employees in line. It’s no wonder she ran one of the biggest magazine companies in Toronto. I was definitely more scared of her than anyone else.
“Yeah, we can come on by,” Josie butted in, sending me a smile. “Just text us a time. We don’t head home until Friday anyway.”
“Did ya hear that, big guy? Going to come see what Uncle Maty does.” I bounced Jayden with my knee.
The next hour flew by as we ate and talked.
It felt like old times being with my brothers as we shared past memories with the kids.
I felt a pang of guilt for missing out on little moments with my nieces and nephew.
While I didn’t live that far away, it was still far enough that I couldn’t be around often.
I knew they all understood that my job and passion was here. Making it professional had been my dream since I was a kid, and here I was, living it. At least football season wasn’t too long and afforded me the opportunity to go home for a decent chunk of time during off-season.
With the pizza long gone and the kids starting to get a little fussy, it was time to head out. I trailed behind Wyatt, who held Jayden, while Josie held Wrenley. Kai was blinking sleepily on Landon’s shoulder.
It was nice seeing my brothers happy with their families.
Eight years ago, I couldn’t see either of them married with kids.
Wyatt was trying to come back from a season-ending injury, and Landon had just opened his own ice rink.
Then it all changed when Wyatt met Josie.
Who knew getting stuck in an elevator could be life-changing?
If they hadn’t gotten stuck, Landon wouldn’t have met Lydia, Josie’s boss. Trevor wouldn’t have met Tasha, Josie’s best friend. And I wouldn’t be Uncle Mateo. Crazy how life works sometimes.
I smiled as Josie walked in front of me, chattering away about one of the kids. I was too busy nodding along to notice a small figure heading in my direction until it was too late. My right side ran right into the person, forcing the two of us to stumble.
I didn’t register my hands shooting out and grabbing their waist to stop them from falling back onto the sidewalk. But I did notice bright red hair falling out of a messy bun.
A pair of stunning green eyes clashed with mine as the two of us stared at one another. My arms were still wrapped around her waist, holding her against me. Time seemed to halt as I stared at the beautiful woman in front of me, a light dusting of freckles covering her nose and cheeks.
A clearing of a throat jerked me out of my trance. I quickly dropped my hands and took a step back.
“I’m sorry. You’re not hurt, are you?” I used the excuse of making sure she was okay to give her a once-over.
A pair of black leggings encased her long legs, paired with a simple pink crop top that showed off her bare arms. Arms that were also covered in little freckles.
I didn’t know why, but my heart rate picked up at the sight.
“I’m fine, but you need to watch where you’re going.”
I couldn’t stop my lips from twitching at the sassy tone, those eyes narrowed as if she could tell I was trying not to smile. “You are absolutely right. I’ll make sure to watch out next time.”
She made a little noise as if she didn’t believe me, but pressed her lips together as if to stop herself from saying anything else.
I knew I was staring, yet I couldn’t seem to look away, especially not when she raised an eyebrow as if challenging me to say something. It was like we were having our own little stare-off. Amusement filled my chest at the fact that she didn’t seem to care or know who she was currently looking at.
“Um,” The woman in front of me finally looked away, taking in the other girl who must have been her friend, standing off to the side. An unspoken look passed between the two before the beautiful redhead stepped around me.
Our eyes met one last time before she and her friend walked off. I stared after her figure, eyes briefly taking in her pert ass. As she walked farther away, I couldn’t help but feel like I should have gone after her.