Page 70 of The Home Game

“I know that. And we all love that about you. They’re a sweet family and I think it’s great we could all help them out. But tell me you’re not feeling more for the guy. Because Matty … you’re an affectionate guy, we all know that. But you seem different around Antoni.”

Matty nodded. “I … yeah. I guess I am. But that’s not really … I’m not …” He floundered for the right words, unsure of what he was trying to say.

“Look, I really do think what you’re doing is great. But remember, he’s renting from you. His priority is those kids. Don’t let yourself get caught up in something that feels like what you’ve always wanted when it isn’t that.”

“I’m not!” Matty protested.

“Just don’t get your heart stomped on, okay? You can’t trust people to stick around and you should know that by now.”

Dom skated away and Matty frowned at his back as he got off the ice.

Well that was a depressing thought.

He’d never really understood why Dom was so anti-relationship. He never talked about it but the more Matty thought about it, the more Matty was convinced that someone had broken his heart.

And that made Matty wonder what he could do for Dom to make it better.

Still, it wasn’t fair of Dom to assume that Antoni was going to break his heart.

Antoni wasn’t Courtney. And it wasn’t just because he was a guy.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Antoni spent the morning listening to an audiobook as he vacuumed, mopped, and scrubbed the rental house. He patched a few holes and when he decided he’d done enough to get their security deposit back, he drove to the leasing office to turn in his keys.

He felt good as he returned to Matty’s house, like he was leaving a stressful chapter of his life behind.

When he pulled into the garage, Matty was already back from practice.

This morning, Antoni’s parents had walked over from their house and watched the kids while he was cleaning and Matty was at practice, so he assumed they were still there too.

It was so nice to know that they didn’t have to go out of their way so much anymore. It would be less driving for them. Less stress and hassle for everyone, really.

They were all eating lunch when Antoni walked into the house, seated at the long dining room table Antoni suspected was rarely used.

They all looked up and smiled.

“All done?” his mom asked.

“Yep, keys turned in!” he said. “And I don’t think we’ll have any trouble getting the deposit back.”

“Oh good! There’s food on the island if you’d like it,” she said.

“Thanks, I’m starving.” Antoni walked over and loaded his plate with salad and fruit then debated what he wanted on his sandwich. “How was everyone’s morning?”

“So good!” Alexis said. “I tried out the synthetic ice with Uncle Enzo.”

Antoni shot his dad an amused smile. He just gave Antoni a sheepish grin back.

“That sounds fun,” Antoni said, then paused. “Wait, I thought your skates were too small. I was going to pick some up for you today when we went back-to-school shopping.”

“Umm,” Matty said, looking guilty.

Antoni shook his head and kept piling turkey onto whole wheat bread. “You bought skates for the kids?”

“Uhh, well I had a few pairs available for Macky’s kids or any other kids who come over. That’s what Alexis used today. But I miiight have also talked to someone at the head office about gear from our sponsors.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to—”

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