32. Josie

32

JOSIE

T he Greyhounds won 56-11, absolutely annihilating the other team. No wonder they'd only lost one game all season and made it to the championship. Mateo was one hell of a quarterback, and there was no doubt in my mind he would become a big name one day. If he played this well at 17, what would he be like in a few years?

Just like his big brother, Mateo put it all out there on the field. I could see the same competitiveness in him that I saw in Wyatt when he played. It was clear as day that Mateo was Wyatt's brother, that's for sure.

"That was a great game," I said as the four of us stood to the left of the stadium in the parking lot, waiting for Mateo to come out of the locker room. "Wasn't expecting a high school football game to be so exciting." I beamed up at Wyatt.

"Think you'll become a football fan now?"

"Maybe I'll ditch hockey for football."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, hockey is so old news."

Wyatt reached for my waist, tickling me as I squirmed, laughing.

As I noticed Evelyn watching the two of us, I felt a little embarrassed. But then she smiled at me, a little twinkle in her eye, and I felt at ease. Though it was short-lived as Landon stepped forward, engaging Wyatt in a stare off, like they were having a silent conversation.

Thankfully, at that moment, Evelyn caught sight of Mateo, and called out to him. She wasted no time in rushing over to greet him.

"Oh baby, you did so great!" Evelyn pulled him into a tight hug.

I held back a laugh at the helpless look he sent Wyatt and Landon. Pulling back Evelyn planted kisses on his face. This time I couldn't help myself as I laughed into my hand at the disgusted look on his face, his nose scrunched up.

"Ew, mom." Mateo pulled out of her hold and wiped at his face, but I saw the look of love in his eyes when he smiled at his mom.

"Good job, punk." Landon stepped forward and ruffled his hair, the harshness he'd held in his expression now gone.

"Knew you'd kill it." Wyatt pulled his little brother into a tight hug. A look of pride washed over Mateo's face at his brother's praises. It was clear their opinions meant a lot to him.

When Wyatt finally let him go and stepped back, Mateo's eyes landed on mine.

"You!" he exclaimed. "You're the girl who took pictures of the team a few weeks ago."

"I did," I nodded, giving him a small smile.

"So you are…" He looked between Wyatt and I before a mischievous smile took over his face. "You're the girl who has Wyatt all tongue tied."

Could have sworn the tips of Wyatt's ears turned pink at his brother's words.

"Don't listen to him."

"Wait. So that means I met your girl first." Mateo teased.

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence," Wyatt threatened, eyes narrowing at his little brother. I bit my lower lip to keep from laughing, sensing from Mateo's mischievous expression that he was eager to antagonize his brother.

"Isn't it the first person who sees her, gets her?" Mateo winked at me, and I couldn't help it, I laughed. "Feel free to ditch my brother and hook up with me instead."

"In your dreams," Wyatt scoffed.

"You mean in her dreams." Mateo retorted, wiggling his eyebrows up and down at me. It was plain to see that he was the typical baby of the family that loved messing with his older brothers. I already loved him. Especially when he shot me another wink, and Wyatt took a cautionary step towards him.

"Joking, joking." Mateo raised his hands taking a step backwards. "Unless Josie wants a real man." Just like that, Mateo dropped his bag and took off, Wyatt right on his heels.

"Wow, you're getting as slow as Landon," Mateo shot over his shoulder as he ran past.

"What did you just say?" Landon took a step forward.

"Nothing…grandpa." Mateo got the exact reaction that he wanted, as Landon took his turn to chase after his brother. I watched as the three of them ran around the parking lot. Two grown men and a teenager, running around like kids.

It showed me a whole new side to Wyatt. It was like the moment he was around his family, the mask completely fell away, revealing a loving, funny, goofy guy. Watching him chase Mateo around the parking lot, exchanging jibes with both his brothers, you'd never know he was one of the world's most sought-after hockey players.

Right now, he wasn't Wyatt Boone, hockey star. He was Wyatt Boone, big brother.

And I was so there for it.

Hell, even Landon looked years younger as he joined in. Their brotherly bond seemed untouchable.

"Josie, I'm sorry about my sons," Evelyn apologized as she stepped up beside me. "I'd love to tell you that they're not normally like this, but I'd be lying." I glanced at her, admiring her loving expression as she watched her kids act like five-year-olds.

I felt my chest tighten at their connection. The way they were with each other made me miss my dad—daily phone calls to check in, the weekend dinners and hockey games we watched together. It also made me miss the fact that I'd never had a mom like Evelyn. I didn't have a motherly figure in my life at all. The person I could go to and talk about boys with, someone to comfort me when I got my first period at thirteen, or who would do my hair for the prom.

Yes, I had my dad, and he was the best dad in the world, but there was only so much he could do. He tried his very best, raising a daughter alone, and I never once felt unloved. He was my best friend—yet a part of me always wished for a mom.

"It's okay," I waved her off. "I always wanted a sibling growing up. Someone to tease and chase around a parking lot." We laughed together as Wyatt and Landon narrowly missed running into each other. Wyatt might be an amazing hockey player, but it was clear Mateo was faster, thanks to football.

"So, you're an only child?" Evelyn asked. Her question was innocent enough, and yet I felt the hot sting of tears.

"Yeah, my mom left us when I was only three, so it was just me and my dad before he passed."

"Oh hon, I'm sorry." Evelyn softly squeezed my arm. I looked away so I couldn't see the sympathy in her eyes, knowing it would be my undoing, and the last thing I wanted to do was cry in front of her, considering we'd just met. "The boy's father walked out on us when Landon was 11 and Wyatt was 8. Mateo was only a month old, so he doesn't remember him," Evelyn said after a moment, her hand still on my arm.

Wyatt had briefly talked about the absence of his dad as he grew up, and that Landon helped raise him, but he hadn't said much else on the subject. Not that I'd pushed.

"I'm sorry. That couldn't have been easy."

"I wouldn't have changed it though. I got three beautiful boys out of it." The love for her boys was evident in her voice. Wyatt and Landon came to a stop before us, breathing hard as Mateo ran towards Evelyn. "Three very immature boys at that," she said wryly.

"I think the two of you need to hit the gym more. I'm embarrassing you in front of Josie," Mateo taunted, hovering behind Evelyn as if she was his shield.

I bit my lip to hide my smile.

Yeah, I already like Mateo.

Evelyn sighed before turning around to face Mateo. "You're going out to celebrate with the team, right?" Mateo nodded. "I want you home by midnight and if you need anything, call me. I mean it Mateo." Evelyn said firmly.

"I promise," he said, although I don't think any of us missed the twinkle in his eye. Mateo was pure trouble, that's for sure.

"If you need a ride, call me," Landon butted in as he moved beside Mateo, squeezing his shoulder hard enough that I saw Mateo wince. "Even just a sip of alcohol, you call me."

"Ow, yes, geez, I will." Mateo wiggled out from under Landon's hold. Even Wyatt gave his younger brother a look that made Mateo roll his eyes. "I'm a responsible adult."

Both Wyatt and Landon snorted at that.

"We are all so proud of you." Evelyn grabbed Mateo once more and pulled him into a tight hug. I watched as Wyatt and Landon joined in and wanting them to have something to remember today by, I took a few steps back.

"Before you go, I need you guys to stand together," I instructed. I knew for a fact Evelyn would want this moment captured. "Picture time."

"Wonderful!" Evelyn beamed, linking her arm with Mateo and Landon's, pulling each in close. Smiling, I brought my camera up, signaling for Wyatt to get closer, ignoring the ‘are you kidding me looks' both he and Landon shot me.

"Say cheese." With a wide smile, I focused the lens on everyone in the frame and snapped some pictures. "Perfect."

Looking down at my camera, I smiled softly at the picture. Evelyn stood front and center with Landon right behind her, flanked by Mateo and Wyatt on other sides. Despite the looks they first gave me, all three boys beamed at the camera. I swear the entire family was blessed with good genes.

"So, gorgeous," Mateo came up and draped his arm around my shoulders as I looked at the picture. Mateo was almost as tall as his other brothers, making me tilt my head back to look at him. "As I was saying, my brother doesn't really know how to treat a lady, so feel free to come to me when you get bored of him.

"Yeah? Think you can handle a grown woman?" I countered, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Oh babe, I—" He started to say only to be stopped by an arm wrapping around his neck, tugging him away from me.

"You really are asking for it." Wyatt kept his brother in a headlock. "Keep your hands off my girl."

My cheeks flamed but my heart stuttered at his words.

My girl. I like the sound of that.

At the sound of a loud whistle, we all turned towards the exit where a group of Mateo's teammates stood, waving him over. He pulled out of Wyatt's hold.

"Gotta go." Glancing back at me, Mateo shot me a wide smile. "Nice seeing you again Josie."

"You too. Congrats on the win."

He flashed us a smile, walking backwards.

His smile is exactly like Wyatt's.

"See ya later!" With that he turned and ran towards his friends, all of them cheering.

"Would the two of you like to grab dinner with us?" Evelyn asked after a moment. I hesitated, not sure what to say, but thankfully Wyatt jumped in.

"Sorry Ma, we actually have plans." He draped his arm around my shoulder, drawing me into his side. I looked up at him, wondering what plans he was talking about, but said nothing.

"Next time." She gave us a kind smile. "Come by the house any time Josie, you're more than welcome." Once again, she pulled me into a hug, only this time, I returned it instantly. Saying goodbye to Landon was a little more awkward, but at least he'd stopped glaring at me.

Baby steps.

I waved to Evelyn over my shoulder as Wyatt pulled me in the direction of my car.

"Why such a rush?" I questioned. "Didn't want to have dinner with your mom?"

"No."

"No?"

"What I have planned for you is not family friendly. Plus, I'm not hungry for food," he gave me a wicked grin over his shoulder.