Page 192 of The Waiting Game

“I’m sorry,” Jonah said, standing in front of him, frowning.

“For what?” Felix asked, looking up, squinting at the bright summer sun behind Jonah.

“For going off on your parents.”

“Mmm, they had it coming.”

“I really am your guard dog, aren’t I?” Jonah asked with a sigh.

Felix smiled. “I think you might be. But I’m okay with that. It’s not a bad thing knowing that I have someone in my corner willing to fight for me.”

“You have more than just me.”

“I know I do.”

They lapsed into silence again as Jonah took a seat in the swing next to him.

“How do you feel?” Jonah asked quietly.

“I probably should call Ismael and talk it over but … mostly good. I just don’t have the energy to care about my parents anymore. I mean, I care,” Felix admitted. “It will probably always hurt a little bit, knowing that they just aren’t the kind of people who can … be there for me the way I want. But I have Grandma Ji-min. I have you. I have our team. I have Ismael. I’m okay.”

Jonah reached out and took his hand. “I’m glad.”

Felix looked around. “Huh. You know, this is exactly where you told me about the first boy you ever kissed.”

“You’re right. It is.” Jonah grew quiet. “I wish it had been you.”

Felix shrugged. “I kinda do too. But think it’s better that we had time to grow up before we started dating. And, hopefully, I’ll be your last kiss.”

“True.” Smiling, Jonah snagged the chain of Felix’s swing and used it to pull him close. “And I like the sound of that.”

August

Matty stuck his fingers in his mouth and whistled. “Okay, people, I need to make a speech.”

Jonah, who had been kicking around a ball with a couple of Macky’s kids, stopped and looked up, giving Matty his full attention. The other partygoers—mostly people on the team and their families—did too.

“The Matty Mansion is officially closed after today. Charlie’s done some beautiful work on this place but it’s going up for sale tomorrow.”

Dominic frowned. “Dude, why are you selling this place? You’ve always loved it.”

Matty shrugged. “I’m tired of rattling around here all by myself. It’s depressing. I’m going to sell it and buy something smaller. Maybe a condo or something downtown. This house is meant for a family and I don’t have one.”

“But what if you meet someone?” Colton called out.

Matty scoffed. “Yeah right. Like who? I spend all my time with you losers.”

“I dunno, weirder things have happened,” Colton said. “After all, Nico settled down.”

Everyone laughed. No one louder than Nico’s fiancé, August.

“Well, unless the perfect person walks through the door of my house tomorrow, I’m out of luck,” Matty said dryly. He raised his voice. “That reminds me. Y’all better stay to help me clean this place up! Someone is coming to check it out tomorrow. The guy’s name is Anthony or Antonio or something like that. I dunno. He’s related to my real estate agent or something and he has a couple of kids. I dunno. Sounds like he’s in a hurry to find a place though, so I’m letting him get first crack at it.”

“Just don’t let him lowball you on the offer!” Dominic said. “We all know what a softy you are for someone in need.”

Matty made a face. “I’m not that much of a pushover!”

The entire team scoffed.

“Look, all I want is a new beginning for myself and for this guy and his family!” Matty protested. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Well, to new beginnings then!” Jonah toasted, looking over at Felix with a grin.

Helplessly, ridiculously in love and feeling like the luckiest man alive, Felix grinned back and lifted his glass of ginger punch. “To new beginnings!”

THE END

---