Chapter 23
EMMIE
Istood at the edge of the room, watching other players greet their family and friends.
It was mildly entertaining seeing the difference in how players greeted their wives and girlfriends compared to the ones who had jersey chasers hanging off their arms. It was clear from the side-eyes that the WAGS, wives and girlfriends of professional athletes, didn’t appreciate them being here.
A few times, I wondered if any of the women were here for Mateo. I never knew myself to be a jealous person, and typically, I wasn’t, but the thought of anyone else being in this room for him made my vision tunnel.
Thankfully, it was just me here and not Mateo’s family.
Otherwise, my glaring at other women would give away how I felt.
They were currently on their way to their hotel to get the kids and then would be heading over to Mateo’s apartment to get everything ready for dinner.
The others didn’t know I would be there when they said their goodbyes after the game, but the glint in Josie’s eyes said she did.
Once Mateo was done with the press, that’s where the two of us were going.
I fidgeted with the hem of the jersey as the room slowly started to empty.
I knew doing press after a game was mandatory, but they took a while.
I was impatient, waiting to see Mateo. I debated if I should congratulate him on the win first or give him hell for not telling me his family would be seated right next to me.
With just me in the empty room, I scrolled through my phone, posting on social media before I forgot.
One thing no one knew about in the skating world was the social media side.
Having to post for sponsors and teasing routines and outfits for upcoming competitions was a full-time job.
I had a few sponsorships that I had to post regularly for and talk about.
I was about to turn my phone off when it buzzed in my hand. I frowned as a notification popped up, saying someone followed me. It was nothing new, but the username caught my eye. Without hesitating, I clicked on the profile, shaking my head as Mateo’s name appeared.
Unable to help myself, I looked through his page, seeing a bunch of posts about his family and him during practice in his football uniform. The one that made me pause was the one of him shirtless, posing for Men’s Magazine.
I zoomed in, eyeing his abdominal muscles, the same ones I traced with my fingers and tongue. Man, he really was insanely hot.
I looked up as footsteps headed my way. Seconds later, Mateo appeared in the doorway.
“Did you just follow me?” were the first words out of my mouth.
“Figured staring at your page without following was a bit creepy,” Mateo said, leaning his shoulder against the door frame, duffle bag by his side. His brown hair was damp from a post-game shower, and his blue eyes were bright.
I looked him over, drooling at the sight of him in dark gray slacks, a white button-up with a few undone and matching jacket over it all. Okay, I could get used to seeing fancy Mateo.
I stepped toward him. “Have you been stalking my page, Mr. Boone?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation in answering. “You didn’t tell me you were so popular Ms. Seven Million Followers.”
“Olympian, remember?” I teased, playing with a button on his shirt.
“Do I get the honor of you following me back?” Mateo asked.
I rose to my feet. “Hmm, depends.”
“Depends?” His lips barely grazed mine. I shivered at the small touch, the urge to kiss him almost overwhelming, but instead of doing that, I pulled back.
“On how well you grovel tonight.”
“Grovel?” Mateo blinked at the sudden change in conversation.
“You forgot to tell me I’d be seated right next to your family the entire day.” I cocked an eyebrow.
“Oh.” A sheepish look appeared on his face. “I figured if you knew they’d be there, you wouldn’t come so…”
“So you decided to push me in the deep end,” I finished.
“No. Well, yes. I swear I didn’t mean it in a bad way, more of a…helpful way.” He cringed at his own words. “I’m sorry. I should have asked you first if you’d be okay with it.”
“Yes, you should have.”
“Did everyone behave themselves? If they didn’t, I’ll have a word with them.” Mateo’s tone turned serious. I fought a smile from forming on my lips. I was trying to be mad, but it was hard when protective Mateo was cute.
I sighed almost reluctantly. “Everyone was great and welcomed me, even though they had no clue who I was.”
“And…that’s a bad thing?” Mateo slowly said, trying to understand why I was a bit upset.
“No, it’s not. It’s a wonderful thing.” I blew out a breath. “I just want your family to like me, okay? I don’t want them to look at me and think I’m not good enough for you or make you—”
Mateo’s lips cut me off mid-sentence. One hand grabbed my waist, tugging me closer until my palms were flat against his hard chest. The kiss was soft, but I felt it all the way to my toes. The tension in my body seeped out with the caress of his lips.
When he pulled back, I opened my eyes, mouth parted and unable to form words.
“If kissing you gets you to stop overthinking, I’m going to do it more often,” Mateo murmured, voice low and husky.
“My family likes you, trust me. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you for more than a few minutes the entire game.
I saw how my family was. When they don’t like someone, they make it obvious. ”
“You’re sure?” My voice was small and uncertain, which I hated with my entire being, but I needed his reassurance.
“I promise.” Mateo pressed another kiss to my lips. “But even if they didn’t, it wouldn’t matter.”
“It wouldn’t?”
His hand left my waist to gently grab my chin, angling it upward. “In case you didn’t know, I like you, Emmie. I like you a lot. Someone's opinion, even my own family’s, isn’t going to change that.”
Those words sunk beneath my skin, soothing over a part of me that wasn’t sure if Mateo felt the same way I did.
“I don’t bring women home to meet my family. Ever.”
“Wow, you really must like me then,” I joked.
A smile bloomed on his face and he said, “Just a little.”
“I really like you, too,” I whispered, staring into those baby blue eyes. This time when he kissed me, it was like a hole inside my heart closed. We kissed until my head felt dizzy and my lips were swollen.
“After we see everyone, I promise I’ll grovel as much as you want.” He nipped my bottom lip, heat pooling in my belly at the action.
“On your knees and everything,” I breathed.
“Whatever you want, Emmie baby.”
I could hear kid’s laughter and loud voices on the other side of Mateo’s door as I stood with him, clenching his hand in mine.
“Ready?” Mateo asked. Not trusting my voice, I nodded my answer.
As the door swung open, the voices grew louder. I tightened my grip on Mateo’s hand, uncaring that he was probably losing sensation in his fingertips. I really didn’t know why I was so nervous when I literally spent three hours with everyone just a bit ago.
“Hey, guys,” Mateo greeted as we turned the small corner that bracketed his entryway. The apartment opened up into a huge living room and floor-to-ceiling windows before continuing to his kitchen where Josie and Evelyn were, the others scattered around the living area.
“Mateo!” multiple voices greeted back. I half hid behind Mateo’s body, peering around as everyone turned toward us at the doorway. A poke on my leg stole my attention, a pair of bright green eyes staring up at me.
“Who are you?” The little girl's blonde hair was pulled into space buns with silver sparkly bows. Her voice was not quiet at all, and everyone turned their attention on me.
I stepped out from behind Mateo, lifting my hand in greeting. “Hi.”
Silence followed as every person stared at Mateo and me, eyes lowering to our hands before returning to our faces. There were only a few eyebrows raised but so far no cry of outrage.
“Everyone—this is Emmie, my girlfriend.” I was unprepared at the declaration, but I couldn’t stop the warmth that spread through my chest at hearing him say it out loud. He turned to me. “You’ve already met, but this is my family.”
More silence came. I shifted on my feet, trying to come up with something to say. There was no way of telling what they were all thinking by their natural expressions. Were they mad?
I opened my mouth to talk, but someone else beat me to it.
“I knew it!” Tasha exclaimed, whirling around to point a finger at her husband.
“Pay up.” Mila leaned back in the barstool, extending her hand to Bryton, Landon, and Wyatt.
Mateo groaned. “You guys were betting on this?”
“Obviously,” Landon said, completely unbothered. “You’re not subtle.”
“How did you even have time to?” He looked at every single person, his mom and Steven included.
“On the car ride here,” Mila said, like it was completely normal to bet that the two of us were together.
A few snickers filled the room, and my face warmed as Mateo dragged a hand down his face.
“We had our suspicions the entire game, but the guys over here didn’t believe us.” Tasha shot them a look.
“How were we supposed to know that the girl sitting next to us was dating Mateo?” Trevor argued.
Tasha shook her head. “Did you guys not see the googly eyes they gave each other the entire game?”
“Obviously not,” Bryton muttered
Beside me, Mateo murmured, “That’s my family for you.”
“Kind of ironic since you made bets on everyone else and now it's our turn.” Wyatt turned to Mateo with a smirk.
“You’ve been waiting for this moment, haven’t you?”
“You bet your ass we have.” Wyatt looked at me, his smirk turning into a smile. “It’s nice to officially meet you, Emmie.”
“You too.” I smiled in return. And just like that, the attention was off us. I glanced at Mateo with wide eyes.
“Told you.” He shrugged. I guess I should have listened because no one seemed to mind that I was here. “Come on, I want to introduce you to three more.”