Page 64 of The Home Game

“Yeah. A potter. He makes amazing stuff. And, well, they were childhood sweethearts.”

“Oh, I know. I remember hearing that. I just … like I feel like Preston Graves is way out of Blake Aldrich’s league.”

Antoni frowned. “Why? Because Preston’s famous?”

“No, ’cause he’s better looking.”

“Is he?” Antoni shrugged. “I dunno. I’m way more into guys like Blake.”

“Yeah?” Matty asked.

“I dig bears.” Antoni licked his lips.

“That’s gay for bigger guys, right?”

Antoni laughed. “More or less.”

“That’s something you’re into, huh?” Matty asked, knowing he should stop pushing but unable to do it.

“I … yeah. I kinda have a type, I suppose.” Antoni swallowed loudly enough for Matty to hear.

“I don’t … I don’t think I have a type when it comes to guys,” Matty said, his heart hammering way too fast.

Antoni froze, his beer halfway to his mouth for a moment before he lowered it to look at Matty. “You like guys?”

“Yeah?” Matty said. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Not that I’ve really dated any or done that much with a guy but, um, I do.”

“I—I didn’t know that,” Antoni said faintly.

Matty took a deep breath. “Well, now you do.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

When Antoni woke up the following morning, he felt like someone had dropped him into a cloud. The bed was incredible.

He squinted at the baby monitor on the nightstand, rubbing his eyes, his brain not quite awake yet. When he saw that neither Reese nor River were in their bedrooms, he sat upright, adrenaline flooding through him.

Antoni scrambled out of bed, half-aware that, probably, hopefully, Matty or Alexis had an eye on them but all Antoni’s brain could register was Kids missing! Panic! and he fumbled for clothes to go with his pajama pants. He tugged socks on, grabbed the nearest thing that would go over his upper half, then bolted for the bedroom door.

All four of the bedrooms were empty and Antoni came skidding into the main living area, breathing hard.

“Oh my God,” he said, his socks sliding on the hardwood floor, relieved at the sight in front of him. “There you all are.”

The kids—seated at the kitchen island—looked up from their breakfasts.

“We’re having pancakes!” Eli said.

Matty, who stood by the stove with a towel over his shoulder, glanced over at Antoni with a smile. “Morning, sleepyhead.”

“Oh God.” Antoni sagged against the cabinet. “I had a moment of panic when I thought the kids were missing.”

“You worry too much,” Alexis said.

Tell me something I don’t know, Antoni thought with a rueful shake of his head.

“Any of you want more pancakes?” Matty asked. “Or more eggs?”

“Nah, I’m good,” Alexis said. “Thanks! This was yummy.”

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