Page 62 of The Home Game

But Matty had already found season one, episode one and hit Play.

“You really are the nicest person ever,” Antoni said with a sigh as the intro played.

Matty glanced over, embarrassed but pleased. “I dunno about that.”

“You are though. You just have such a big heart. I was thinking earlier how grateful I am that you found me crying in your driveway.”

“Aww, man,” Matty said, hooking his arm around Antoni and dragging their bodies a little closer. “Now you’re gonna make me cry.”

Antoni chuckled and looked up, his lips parted and Matty swallowed hard, sparks fizzing through him. God, yeah, this was definitely way, way more than just friendship.

Matty wanted to press their mouths together and taste the beer on Antoni’s tongue. And he’d definitely never thought that about Dustin or Dom or Jordan or any of the guys on the team.

“We wouldn’t want that,” Antoni said. He sounded sorta breathless and his tongue peeped out, sweeping across his lips.

Was that … did Antoni want him too? Matty swallowed hard, searching Antoni’s eyes for some clue that they were feeling the same thing.

He tightened his grip on Antoni’s shoulder and tilted his head, still studying his face.

Matty really hadn’t expected this. Hadn’t thought that he’d want Antoni this way. It wasn’t why he’d asked him to move in—that thought was like a bucket of cold water to the face and Matty flinched, pulling away.

He was Antoni’s landlord!

Friends too, at least he hoped so, he wanted to be his friend. But there was also a rental contract that had been signed and Antoni was in a really fucking bad place in his life right now.

It would be like taking advantage of him or something if Matty kissed him. It wasn’t right.

He dropped his arm to the back of the sofa and drained the last of his beer.

Antoni made a soft, confused noise, then turned back to face the TV.

They watched in silence for a while before Antoni said, “Preston’s a great actor, isn’t he?”

Matty relaxed, glad Antoni seemed normal about everything. “Yeah, there’s this unbelievable scene in season two. So heartbreaking and emotional. He should’ve won an Oscar for it.”

“Emmy,” Antoni said absently. “Oscars are film.”

“Oh, right. I always mix those two up.”

Antoni reached out and patted his thigh. “You should see me trying to remember the difference between affect and effect, and then trying to teach my students.”

Matty chuckled, trying not to be disappointed when Antoni took his hand away. “I’m not sure I ever learned.”

Antoni chuckled. “Well, I don’t imagine it comes up a lot in hockey. And honestly, the secret to good writing is really just re-writing so you can avoid using the stuff that confuses you.”

Matty grinned. “Next time I have to do a speech, I’m coming to you, man.”

“Do you do a lot of them?” Antoni asked, tone curious.

“Nah. Not really. Sometimes I do talk at schools or whatever. But I’m not really the guy who wins at the NHL awards so there aren’t too many big speeches for me.”

“They don’t have a nicest guy trophy?”

Matty chuckled. “Technically, they do. The Lady Byng trophy is for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. But uh, that’s only for on-ice behavior and that’s not me when I have the gear on. I’m a mean motherfucker.”

“That’s such a wild contrast,” Antoni murmured.

Matty shrugged. “I mean, it’s my job. Do you act exactly the same way at home as you do at work?”

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