Page 97 of Fear of Falling

Right now, he wasn’t Wyatt Boone, hockey star. He was Wyatt Boone, big brother.

And I was so there for it.

Hell, even Landon looked years younger as he joined in. Their brotherly bond seemed untouchable.

“Josie, I’m sorry about my sons,” Evelyn apologized as she stepped up beside me. “I’d love to tell you that they’re not normally like this, but I’d be lying.” I glanced at her, admiring her loving expression as she watched her kids act like five-year-olds.

I felt my chest tighten at their connection. The way they were with each other made me miss my dad—daily phone calls to check in, the weekend dinners and hockey games we watched together. It also made me miss the fact that I’d never had a mom like Evelyn. I didn’t have a motherly figure in my life at all. The person I could go to and talk about boys with, someone to comfort me when I got my first period at thirteen, or who would do my hair for the prom.

Yes, I had my dad, and he was the best dad in the world, but there was only so much he could do. He tried his very best, raising a daughter alone, and I never once felt unloved. He was my best friend—yet a part of me always wished for a mom.

“It’s okay,” I waved her off. “I always wanted a sibling growing up. Someone to tease and chase around a parking lot.” We laughed together as Wyatt and Landon narrowly missed running into each other. Wyatt might be an amazing hockey player, but it was clear Mateo was faster, thanks to football.

“So, you’re an only child?” Evelyn asked. Her question was innocent enough, and yet I felt the hot sting of tears.

“Yeah, my mom left us when I was only three, so it was just me and my dad before he passed.”

“Oh hon, I’m sorry.” Evelyn softly squeezed my arm. I looked away so I couldn’t see the sympathy in her eyes, knowing it would be my undoing, and the last thing I wanted to do was cry in front of her, considering we’d just met. “The boy's father walked out on us when Landon was 11 and Wyatt was 8. Mateowas only a month old, so he doesn’t remember him,” Evelyn said after a moment, her hand still on my arm.

Wyatt had briefly talked about the absence of his dad as he grew up, and that Landon helped raise him, but he hadn’t said much else on the subject. Not that I’d pushed.

“I’m sorry. That couldn’t have been easy.”

“I wouldn’t have changed it though. I got three beautiful boys out of it.” The love for her boys was evident in her voice. Wyatt and Landon came to a stop before us, breathing hard as Mateo ran towards Evelyn. “Three very immature boys at that,” she said wryly.

“I think the two of you need to hit the gym more. I’m embarrassing you in front of Josie,” Mateo taunted, hovering behind Evelyn as if she was his shield.

I bit my lip to hide my smile.

Yeah, I already like Mateo.

Evelyn sighed before turning around to face Mateo. “You’re going out to celebrate with the team, right?” Mateo nodded. “I want you home by midnight and if you need anything, call me. I mean it Mateo.” Evelyn said firmly.

“I promise,” he said, although I don’t think any of us missed the twinkle in his eye. Mateo was pure trouble, that’s for sure.

“If you need a ride, call me,” Landon butted in as he moved beside Mateo, squeezing his shoulder hard enough that I saw Mateo wince. “Even just a sip of alcohol, you call me.”

“Ow, yes, geez, I will.” Mateo wiggled out from under Landon’s hold. Even Wyatt gave his younger brother a look that made Mateo roll his eyes. “I’m a responsible adult.”

Both Wyatt and Landon snorted at that.

“We are all so proud of you.” Evelyn grabbed Mateo once more and pulled him into a tight hug. I watched as Wyatt and Landon joined in and wanting them to have something to remember today by, I took a few steps back.

“Before you go, I need you guys to stand together,” I instructed. I knew for a fact Evelyn would want this moment captured. “Picture time.”

“Wonderful!” Evelyn beamed, linking her arm with Mateo and Landon’s, pulling each in close. Smiling, I brought my camera up, signaling for Wyatt to get closer, ignoring the ‘are you kidding me looks’ both he and Landon shot me.

“Say cheese.” With a wide smile, I focused the lens on everyone in the frame and snapped some pictures. “Perfect.”

Looking down at my camera, I smiled softly at the picture. Evelyn stood front and center with Landon right behind her, flanked by Mateo and Wyatt on other sides. Despite the looks they first gave me, all three boys beamed at the camera. I swear the entire family was blessed with good genes.

“So, gorgeous,” Mateo came up and draped his arm around my shoulders as I looked at the picture. Mateo was almost as tall as his other brothers, making me tilt my head back to look at him. “As I was saying, my brother doesn’t really know how to treat a lady, so feel free to come to me when you get bored of him.

“Yeah? Think you can handle a grown woman?” I countered, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Oh babe, I—” He started to say only to be stopped by an arm wrapping around his neck, tugging him away from me.

“You really are asking for it.” Wyatt kept his brother in a headlock. “Keep your hands off my girl.”

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