Page 74 of The Home Game

She wasn’t ready for kindergarten yet but she’d gone to preschool half a day last year and this year it would be a full day.

They’d been working with her on her language and other developmental skills since last spring and it would give her more of a chance to socialize with other kids.

This past summer, Antoni had taken some of the online and in person workshops the program offered on parenting and they’d really helped. Hopefully, the full day there would be even more beneficial.

When they arrived at the store, Antoni got out of the vehicle and stopped Matty before he could get the kids out.

“I am going to pay today,” he said quietly. “I know you’re going to want to help but I can manage it.”

Matty’s expression turned serious. “You’re not just saying that?”

“No. With what I’m saving in rent and utilities, I can afford it. And it’s important to me that I do this.”

“Okay,” Matty said with a nod. “I promise, I’ll be good.”

“Thanks.” Antoni smiled. “That means a lot to me.”

Matty reached out and touched his hip. “Hey, what do you think about going to the park after?” he asked quietly. “It might encourage the kids to move a little faster while we’re shopping.”

“Hmm. I suppose we’d have time. We don’t have to worry about groceries since you picked some up on the way home from practice …”

Matty grinned. “I needed stuff for the meals I’m going to teach you how to make this week.”

“Mmhmm,” Antoni said skeptically. The refrigerator had been bursting with food, including stuff for kids’ lunches, stuff the kids begged for that he hadn’t been able to afford, but he couldn’t be mad about it, not when Matty looked so pleased with himself.

As long as he reined himself in today like he’d promised, Antoni wouldn’t argue.

“So, the park,” Matty said eagerly. “Yes?”

Antoni grinned. “Well, there are worse bribes. You sure you don’t mind?”

“Dude, I’ve been trying to get you to let me take them to the park for weeks.” Matty squeezed his hip.

Antoni laughed, tingles spreading through his body at the casual touch. “True. Yeah, okay, that sounds good.”

“Okay,” Matty said, opening the door and smiling at the kids. “Here’s the plan, peeps. If we get through shopping quick enough, we’re gonna go to the park after. But that means you need to stay focused.”

Antoni hid a smile as he walked around the car. Matty was going to be an amazing father someday.

That thought just continued to grow as they picked out new clothes and shoes and folders and pencil cases.

Antoni had been dreading back-to-school shopping for weeks, and not just because of the money he’d have to spend. He’d helped Bethany with it last year when Corey was out of town for a conference so he’d known exactly what he was in for.

Although the selection was fairly well picked over by now, the shopping was easier with someone else there to help the kids focus. And Matty’s gentle reminders to the kids that the sooner they were done, the faster they could get to the park, was brilliant.

By the time they were done shopping, Antoni was tired but not nearly as exhausted as he’d expected.

When everyone was loaded up in the SUV, Matty turned to face the back. “So what’ll it be? Park or no park?”

“Park!” River said, clapping her hands.

“Full sentences please,” Antoni reminded her.

“I want … to go … to … the park,” she said.

“Great job.” Matty reached back to give her a fist bump.

“How about the rest of you?” Antoni asked. “Are you up for it?”

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