Page 107 of Fear of Falling

“It’s all yours,” Landon nodded as he walked over and stood beside him, giving his shoulder a squeeze. Mateo’s hands shook as he stared down at the car keys sitting in the box.

“You aren’t messing with me, right?” Mateo’s eyes looked a little glossy as Wyatt grabbed his other shoulder.

“Nope. They’ll drop it off on Monday.”

“You’re about to graduate and we wanted something more reliable for you to drive,” Landon said, his tone almost fatherly.

“I…” Mateo shook his head. “Thank you.”

Beside me I heard Evelyn sniffle as Mateo hugged both Landon and Mateo, profusely thanking them. He clearly wasn’t expecting a car for his birthday.

When Wyatt told me what he and Landon planned to get Mateo, I found it beyond sweet. The two of them wanted Mateo to have a safe car to drive to school, practice and Uni next year. Was it a bit extravagant for an eighteen-year-old? Yes, but like Wyatt said, what’s the point of having money if you can’t spend it on the ones you love?

It really showed just how much he loved his family and how they loved him for him, and not his money.

Wyatt and Landon stepped back as Mateo was immediately swarmed by his friends. Returning to my side, Wyatt wrapped an arm around my shoulders pulling me against him. I leaned into his side as he planted a kiss on the top of my head. Evelyn smiled in our direction before stepping forward clapping her hands.

“Now, who wants cake?”

36

JOSIE

“You know this is my first time going to an actual game,” Lydia said as we all made our way through security.

“Wait, you’ve never been?” Mila turned around to look at Lydia with disbelief.

“Don’t worry, we’ll pop your hockey cherry,” Tasha added as she hooked her arm through Lydia’s. “Josie’s boyfriend got us great seats, so you’ll enjoy it.”

My face flushed at her words.

I still can’t believe Wyatt Boone is my boyfriend.

You’d think after officially being a couple for two weeks that I’d be accustomed to it now, but no. Just the mention of his name was still enough to make me giddy.

The four of us made our way inside the arena, huddling together to make it through the crowds. It was already insane inside, which made sense with the Knights being on an eight-game winning streak. Ever since Coach changed Crosby’s position, the team was unstoppable.

After a couple of away games, the team were back on home turf, and the locals came in hordes.

Flashing our tickets, we walked all the way down to the boards to our seats. We were positioned just a few feet to the sideof the goalie, giving us a great view of the entire rink. We were in the direct line where all the action would happen—something both Mila and I were stoked about.

Shuffling down the row I caught sight of two familiar faces.

“Josie!” Mateo called out, causing people around us to look over. Next to him Landon head turned in our direction. The two of them were seated behind us instead of all of us in one row.

When the four of us girls stopped in front of them, I watched Mateo’s eyes widened. He looked from Tasha to Lydia to Mila and then to me.

“Woah.” His reaction came as no surprise, it was the same look most guys got when they met Tasha; even Trevor had the same response. Both she and Lydia were beyond gorgeous. It didn’t help Tasha wore a pair of tight leather pants and a bright red tube top showing off her tanned skin, her long, blonde hair cascading down her back.

“Landon, Mateo, these are my friends, Tasha and Lydia.” I gestured to the two of them. “Landon and Mateo are Wyatt’s brothers.”

“Obviously I’m the better brother. Nice to meet you” Mateo winked. I glanced at Landon, finding him staring at Lydia. As Lydia looked at him with an approving expression, I had a sudden thought that maybe I shouldn’t have introduced them.

Lydia will chew him up and spit him out. But then again I’ve seen Landon hold his own.

In the last few weeks, I’d come to learn more about Landon, and he was just as hard-headed as Lydia. They were both as stubborn as all hell, completely immovable once their minds were made up about something.

Landon gave her a cool nod before looking past her at the rink. As Lydia frowned slightly at the dismissal, I quickly nudged her towards her seat.

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