Page 36 of The Home Game

“I get it but I think you’re wrong. You’re giving them a stable home,” Matty insisted. “A place where they’ll be safe and have plenty of room to run around and just be kids.”

“I do want that for them.”

“I know,” Matty said softly, reaching out and patting Antoni’s hand. “And my place is perfect.”

“Won’t we interfere with your hockey though?”

“Nah. Like I said, there’s the guest house. We won’t have to see each other if we don’t want. And honestly, once the season starts, I’ll be gone a lot.”

Antoni froze. “Oh. I hadn’t considered that.”

“Yeah, I mean, when we’re on a western conference road trip, I’ll be gone for a couple of weeks at a time.” Matty smiled. “Actually, that’s perfect if you’re there. I won’t have to hire someone to check in on the place when I’m gone anymore.”

“Oh.” Antoni blinked. “I mean, yeah, if that would help you out, that’s good.”

“Definitely.”

“Okay. I guess that makes me feel a little better if I’m giving something back and it’s not just you doing me a favor.” Antoni gave him a tentative little smile.

Matty did an internal fist pump. “Awesome. Okay, so I know you’re not a hockey guy but are any of the kids into it?”

Antoni nodded. “Yeah. Alexis used to play. I had a tough conversation with her a few weeks ago about the fact I won’t be able to afford it this fall though.”

“Well, if you want, I might be able to pull some strings there and get her hooked up,” Matty said with a little wink. “But there’s also synthetic ice in my basement she can use.”

“What the hell is that?” Antoni asked.

“It’s these plastic tiles that lock together to make a skating surface. It’s not a full rink or anything, I’m not quite that hardcore, but it kinda works like ice and its big enough to put skates on and practice shooting and all that.”

“Huh. And you’d let her use that?”

“Of course.” Matty was confused. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“I dunno. That’s just so generous.”

Matty shrugged. “I guess? I already own it so it’s not like it’s a big investment just for her or anything.”

“What about the cost?” Antoni asked.

“Uhh, what cost?” Matty scratched his head. “I’m not charging Alexis rent to use my skating pad.”

“No, the cost of rent. For us living there.”

“Oh, you’re not renting,” Matty said with a smile. “You can just move in.”

“No.” Antoni’s full mouth became a grim line and he squared his shoulders. “If I can’t pay, I won’t do it.”

Matty sighed. Why was Antoni so determined to make life harder for himself?

“What do you pay now for your current rental?” he asked.

Antoni rattled off a number and Matty nodded. “Okay, you can pay me half of that.”

He had no intention of doing anything with those payments but putting them in the bank for the kids and maybe adding some so they’d have a really good college fund. Yeah, he liked that idea. That was a way better use of his money than buying boats, that was for sure.

Antoni’s eyes widened. “Half? Why? It’s already probably a tenth as much as it should be for a place that size!”

“Sure, but you won’t be using the whole house,” Matty reminded him. “So why should you pay for a whole house?”

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