Page 90 of The Home Game

“But any evidence they can get about you moving quickly from partner to partner or anything like that is something they could use to try to impugn your character.”

“I’m not moving from partner to partner to partner!” he protested.

“I know that. I’m just saying that anything you and Matty can do to show that you’re a loving, stable couple will benefit your case. And be mindful of your behavior in public,” she said.

Antoni huffed. “The photos were of Matty and I getting the kids out of the vehicle after going to the park. It’s not like we got caught with our pants down!”

“Of course not. And you haven’t done anything wrong. I just want you to be aware of what’s happening and what some of the ramifications could be.”

“Yeah, thanks,” he said with a sigh. “I appreciate it. We’ll be careful.”

Matty jogged down the steps, wondering where Antoni was. He didn’t usually do very long workouts.

Maybe he was taking a while in the steam shower?

Matty nearly tripped over his own feet as he pictured Antoni all naked and wet and he clutched at the railing to stop from falling on his face. God, he could just imagine telling the team and Coach Gilbert that he’d broken his nose tripping over his own feet.

He was a professional athlete for God’s sake!

But as he rounded the corner, all thoughts of embarrassing injuries and Antoni in the shower immediately left his head at the sight of Antoni sitting on the weight bench, head in his hands.

“Hey,” Matty said, worried. “Antoni? Are you okay?”

Antoni jerked in surprise and looked up. “Shit. Sorry. I …”

“What happened?” Matty stepped closer.

“Are the kids okay?” Antoni asked, rising to his feet. His face was drained of all color and he didn’t look like he’d even done his workout.

Matty frowned. “Yeah, of course they are. Alexis and Eli are all done with homework, River’s playing with some of those little plastic animals, and I put Reese in his playpen with some of those sensory toys. Are you okay?”

“No.” Antoni’s voice cracked. “The attorney called.”

Matty listened carefully as Antoni went through everything he’d discussed with her.

When Antoni was done, Matty grimaced. “Shit, I’ll have my agent issue a statement saying that we’re just friends. That I’m helping out with the kids but—”

Antoni shook his head. “That’s the thing. I think that might be worse at this point.”

“So we should go along with letting people think we’re dating?” Matty asked, scratching his neck.

“I … I don’t know. That’s crazy, right?” Antoni said, a little frown furrowing his brow.

Matty’s mind immediately flashed to Jonah and Felix pretending to be engaged. “I mean, a little bit. But maybe it does make the most sense in this situation.”

“I’m not saying we’d need to do anything crazy,” Antoni said slowly. “Just maybe not deny it if people ask.”

Matty shrugged. “Yeah, of course. Whatever you and the kids need.”

“You sure you don’t mind?”

“Hey, of course not. Come here,” Matty said. He pulled Antoni close, liking the way Antoni’s head fit against his shoulder and his arms automatically went around Matty’s waist. “We’ll get through this. No one is going to take the kids from you. They’ll have to go through me first.”

“I’ll go upstairs and check on the kiddos,” Matty said, squeezing Antoni’s upper arm as he reluctantly pulled away. “And get started on dinner. Everything’s prepped so we should be ready to eat in like twenty minutes, half an hour, tops.”

“Thanks.” Antoni shot him a weak smile. “I’ll be up in a sec.”

After Matty went upstairs, Antoni moved more slowly. He probably should squeeze in a quick workout now but he wasn’t sure he had the energy.

---