Page 95 of Fear of Falling

The truth is, everyone wants someone to cheer for them, regardless of what it was for. There’s no worse feeling than looking over a crowd and not seeing someone there rooting for you.

I continued taking pictures of the team. Shots of them all huddled together as the coach talked, of them mid-chant before they dispersed to do warm up before the game, shots of the coach watching them intently.

“Are you a photographer, Josie?” Evelyn asked, gesturing to the camera in my hand as we sat back down.

“Sort of. I work forFusion Weeklymagazine.”

“I’ve heard?—”

“So, you’re a reporter,” Landon leaned forward, interrupting his mom, his eyes narrowed as he looked from me to my camera and back again.

“Landon,” Wyatt said, his voice low and full of warning. “She isn’t a reporter.”

“Then why is she taking pictures?” Landon looked back at me with a raised eyebrow.

I had a feeling whatever I said would affect how he looked at me. “The magazine I work for only highlights businesses or events t in Toronto. Nothing to do with the paparazzi,” I explained, needing him and their mom to know I wasn’t some reporter trying to cozy up to Wyatt, only to use him.

“A few weeks ago, I actually took pictures of Mateo’s team for the magazine.”

This time all three heads turned in my direction. “We did a piece on their success at making it to the championship.”

When Landon glared, I immediately regretted the confession.

“So, you knew about Mateo beforehand,” Landon demanded, the accusation in his voice making my mouth dry as I struggled to try to answer him.

“No. I didn’t know he was Wyatt’s brother until five minutes ago.” I looked at Wyatt, silently pleading that he believed me. “It was the same night we got stuck in the elevator together—I told you about the assignment.”

“The team that hit on you,” Wyatt replied, realization in his eyes.

I nodded. “Mateo was nice enough to answer some questions about the team and that was it. I had no clue his last name was Boone. I didn’t even ask at the time.”

“I believe you,” Wyatt said, placing his hand on my thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“I can delete the photos, if you want.” And I meant it. I’d delete all pictures if Wyatt asked, without hesitation.

“You don’t need to,” Evelyn spoke up, flashing me a kind smile. “Excuse my son, he sometimes speaks before he thinks.” She turned to Landon, with a look only a mother could give.

Despite her words, I felt like I’d gotten on the wrong side of Landon.

“Hey,” Wyatt said softly, and I turned to look at him. “It’s okay, I’m not mad.”

“You probably think?—”

Wyatt shook his head, cutting me off.

“You have no ill intentions, and like you said, you told me about it in the elevator. Neither of us put it together.” He said with a casual shrug.

“I should have clicked when you first told me your brother's name.” I shook my head.

“There’s a lot of Mateo’s in the world, you couldn’t have known.” He gave me a reassuring smile and took my hand. “I promise, it’s okay.”

Before I could say anything else, the whistle blew, signaling the start of the game. Though I didn’t miss the glare Wyatt shot at his older brother.

32

JOSIE

The Greyhoundswon 56-11, absolutely annihilating the other team. No wonder they’d only lost one game all season and made it to the championship. Mateo was one hell of a quarterback, and there was no doubt in my mind he would become a big name one day. If he played this well at 17, what would he be like in a few years?

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