Page 58 of The Home Game

“Well, we like having you around.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, and not just because you’re a much better cook than I am. That pizza … I’m still thinking about it.”

Matty laughed. “What did you make for dinner tonight?”

“Grilled cheese and tomato soup,” Antoni admitted with a sigh.

Matty’s look was amused. “Maybe we could cook dinners together? At least before the season starts. I could teach you a few new dishes.”

“I’d love that. And the kids would too. I am sure they’re sick of my pathetic offerings. I don’t want to impose though.”

“You wouldn’t be. Honestly, it would be so much better than cooking for myself and eating alone.”

Antoni nodded. “Yeah, then if you’re up for it, that would be great.”

“Let’s start tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.”

Matty glanced over. “I see you found the shower in your room.”

“Oh, yeah,” Antoni said, glancing down and feeling awkward when he realized he was only wearing shorts. “I, uh, I guess should probably put on a shirt or something, huh?”

Matty shrugged. “Well, you don’t have to on my account. I spend half my life surrounded by naked men.”

Antoni nearly choked on his mouthful of beer. “Wow. Well, if I’d known that when I was a teenager, I might have actually gotten into hockey.”

Matty laughed. “I’m just saying, I don’t even notice anymore.”

Right. Antoni stifled a sigh. Ahh well, that was a good reminded that Matty was straight, whatever the gossip pages said.

Antoni shouldn’t get any ideas.

“Yeah, well, I used to sleep in briefs but the kids sometimes crawl in with me, especially River, so I switched to pajamas.”

“Man, I bet a lot of your life has changed in the past few months,” Matty said. He took a slow pull on his beer.

“Yeah, it has,” Antoni agreed. “Not all of it’s bad. I mean, I always wanted kids. I wouldn’t have necessarily had four and especially not all at once this way but …”

“But you love them.”

“I do. It’s just been hard. Trying to be enough for them. I’m just one guy. I’m having to be mom and dad for them but I’m not their parent at all and … it’s just a lot.”

“Hey, you’re doing a good job,” Matty said, scooting closer. “You know that, right?”

He settled a hand on Antoni’s back. His palm was huge and warm and all Antoni wanted to do was sink into the feeling. Slide closer to Matty and put his head on his broad shoulder and feel wrapped up and safe.

“I hope so,” Antoni muttered, shifting a little so he could look at Matty.

His hand fell away and he draped his arm over the back of the couch.

They fell silent for a minute and Antoni took a long sip of his beer, suddenly feeling awkward.

“So what about you?” Antoni asked. “You said kids were something you wanted but that it didn’t work out. I don’t want to be nosy but …”

Matty grimaced. “Yeah, I’ll tell you more sometime but not tonight.”

---