Page 32 of The Home Game

Over the baby monitor, he could hear Reese fussing a little. Awake but not yet demanding to be changed or fed.

Antoni had woken once in the night to feed him but it was slowly getting better. Reese was sleeping for longer and longer stretches and the pediatrician assured him he’d be sleeping through the night soon.

Antoni couldn’t wait.

Still, as he crept into the room, trying not to wake River, he softened at the sight of Reese’s gummy smile with one bottom tooth poking out.

He was getting so big, so fast.

The morning flew by in a blur of diapers and bottles and breakfast and getting kids dressed and out the door but Antoni’s steps faltered as he came face to face with Matty’s gleaming SUV.

Shit, he’d forgotten about that.

As Antoni got the kids situated inside, he grimaced at how pristine it was and how messy it would probably be in just a few days. Okay, no matter what, he was going to have to get the thing cleaned and detailed before he gave it back. He didn’t know how he’d afford it but it was the least he could do.

Still, it drove like a dream and by the time Antoni pulled into his parents’ driveway, he already knew he was going to hate going back to the old van.

“So, I see your NHL player boyfriend is letting you use his SUV,” his mom said with a laugh as she took Reese and the other kids scattered into the house. “I was wondering how you planned to get around. I meant to ask you yesterday but I forgot in the excitement of meeting Matt Carlson.”

“Oh my God, mom!” Antoni protested. “Matty is a friend.”

“A very good friend, apparently,” his mom said, her blue eyes sparkling. “And excellent with children.”

“He’s a nice guy and I’m grateful for his help,” Antoni admitted. “But don’t go getting any ideas.”

“Your father is already planning the wedding.”

“Oh Christ,” Antoni muttered. “I know he’s a Fisher Cats’ fan but …”

His mom chuckled. “If you gave him a player for a son-in-law, I think he’d be the happiest man alive.”

“Yeah, well,” Antoni said drily. “I don’t think that’s gonna happen. Besides, I think Matty is straight. He was married to a woman.”

“Bisexuals exist,” she reminded him with a mischievous grin.

Antoni snorted. “I know that. Keith was bi.”

“Keith was also a piece of”—she glanced down at Reese—”you know what.”

“I sure do,” Antoni agreed. They’d been dating for nearly a year when Bethany and Corey died and Keith had bailed the moment he found out Antoni would be raising the children. Which, that was better for all of them in the long run. It would have been worse if the kids had gotten attached to him and then he’d walked out.

Antoni had been pissed at the time but he was mostly over it. His mom would never forgive the guy though.

“But I’ve gotta go,” Antoni said. “Busy day.”

“Yep, yep.” She patted Reese’s back, smiling and wrinkling her nose. “And I think I have a smelly baby to change.”

“Sorry about that.”

She waved it off. “Can’t possibly be worse than the time you and your brother got a stomach bug at the same time.”

“Ha.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Hey, I forgot to ask. Did anything big come up at the doctor’s appointment yesterday?”

“Nope. Just routine stuff. I’m doing fine.”

“Okay. Good.” Antoni hugged her carefully, then pressed a kiss to the top of Reese’s head. “Love you both.”

“I’m leaving now!” he called out to the other kids. “Love you!”

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