Page 41 of The Home Game

He missed them taking turns making coffee for one another while they huddled around the table, studying or grading papers late into the night.

God. He missed them.

“Do you think they’d approve of what I’m doing?” Antoni whispered.

Andrea looked up, cheap plastic colander in hand. “Who? Bethany and Corey?”

“Yeah,” Antoni whispered. “Of the job I’m doing taking care of their kids.”

Andrea set the colander in the box and walked over. “Hey, of course they would. You love them.”

“I just … I’m scared I’m not doing enough for them.”

“Oh, man.” Andrea frowned. “If anything, I think you do more than you should have to. I mean, I know you’re the right choice for those kids. I just hate that you’re so overwhelmed by it. That you have to do it alone, you know?”

“I am making the right choice, aren’t I?” Antoni asked, suddenly fearful he’d made the wrong choice. “Accepting help from a guy I barely know?”

Andrea squeezed his arm. “I think so. And hey, I’m gonna meet him today. If anything doesn’t seem right, I’ll let you know. And even if we get you moved in and you change your mind, we’ll figure it out, okay? You’re not alone. I can’t do as much as I’d like for you and the kids but—”

The doorbell rang and Antoni’s eyes widened. “Shit! I’m not finished packing yet and Matty’s here!”

“I’ll get it!” Eli shouted, going for the door.

“Check through the window to be sure it’s him before you open it!” He reminded Eli because they weren’t always good at remembering to do stuff like that.

A moment later, Eli walked into the kitchen, wide-eyed. “Um, Matty’s here but there’s also a bunch of big dudes I don’t recognize.”

“Big dudes?” Antoni repeated under his breath as he made a beeline for the door. Sure enough, when he pulled the door open, there was Matty and half a dozen or so guys decked out in black, green, and white gear.

Team colors, Antoni thought. He’d learned that when he’d poked around on the internet to learn more about the guy he was moving in with.

Matty beamed. “Morning!”

“Uh, morning,” Antoni said, staring at the sea of curious faces clustered in front of the rental house. “You brought friends?”

“Oh, yeah! My team. Fisher Cats Moving Service at your disposal.”

“Right,” Antoni said. “Um, hi. Sorry, we’re not totally ready.”

“Yeah, we’re a little early. But we can help you pack!” Matty’s happy expression fell. “Unless you don’t want us to?”

“No, I mean that would be great,” Antoni said, still reeling. “Sorry, I’m just not quite awake yet or something.”

“I can help with that,” Matty said, thrusting a cardboard cup toward him. “Coffee.”

Antoni accepted the cup and took a cautious sip but it was perfect, exactly what he’d ordered at the coffee shop the other day. “Thanks,” he managed. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Oh for God’s sake, let me through,” someone said with a huff. The sea of big bodies parted to reveal a shorter, more slender man with big blue eyes and golden-blond hair. “Hi, I’m Charlie,” he said with a sunny smile. “These idiots are seriously useless when it comes to social niceties like warning people before they show up or remembering to introduce themselves.”

Antoni chuckled.

“So, let me introduce myself,” Charlie said, holding out a hand. Antoni shook. “Charlie Monaghan. Former figure skater. Currently an interior designer. I’m married to Dustin there.”

A tall, handsome man with dark hair and fair skin smiled and waved. “Team captain, Dustin Fowler.”

“Dominic Olson,” the man next to him said. He was tall too and had sun-streaked light brown hair and light olive-toned skin. Under his goatee, his mouth was set in a tight line and his brow was furrowed. “Alternate captain.”

Antoni nodded, though he had no idea what that meant exactly.

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