Page 31 of Fear of Falling

We all knew better than to argue, so as one we all said, ‘yes ma’am’ and went to do as we were told. My mom rolled her eyes, but I caught the smile on her face. We may drive her nuts sometimes, but she loves us.

“How have things been?” Landon asked as we got started on setting the table. It felt like ages since I last talked to my brother, when it’s really only been about a week. Despite the age gap between us we were close. Landon basically helped raise mewhen my mom had to work. As my older brother, he was the one I always looked up to and who I came to when I had problems.

When I was ten and came home crying because some kid pushed me, Landon patched me up and told me that Boone’s don’t sit back and let others bully us. The next day at school he went right up to the kid who pushed me and punched him in the nose. He was only thirteen at the time.

Landon taught me to stand up for myself and not take shit from anyone. No matter what, he was there for me at every game, every loss, when the girl I had a crush on went to homecoming with someone else. He took over the role my father left vacant when he left us. The father figure Mateo and I needed.

“Fine,” I finally answered, keeping my gaze on the cutlery and ignoring the look Landon shot me from the other side of the table. It was his‘don’t lie to me’look he’s perfected since I was a kid. It was a look he used to give me when I was younger, and I’d lie about brushing my teeth or that I did my homework when I really was at the rink.

Guess the look still works when I’m 26.

“You’ve seen the last six games,” I sighed when he didn’t say anything.

“I saw. You guys got your asses beat.”

And there’s my no holds barred brother.

He always told you how it was, regardless of whether you wanted to hear it or not. “There’s still plenty of games left in the season. You guys can bounce back.”

“Hope so.”

Teams go on losing streaks all the time, but after losing before the playoffs last year we needed to come back stronger. Show we were the team that could win another Cup Championship.

“It’s only been 6 months. Most people don’t come back this fast,” Landon reminded me. He wasn’t wrong. Some peoplenever came back after an ACL injury, let alone play after 6 months.

“Are you guys ready for tomorrow's game?” Landon asked, moving around the table with napkins, with me following behind placing the silverware.

“I think so. Coach has been running us down at practice, but we are looking good.” I wasn’t about to tell him that the main reason I was looking forward to the game was to see Josie.

“You better. If not, I'm going to have to replace you in my fantasy hockey league,” Mateo said as he walked in, this time dressed in a clean shirt and pants.

“I already did. I now have Mathews,” Landon added.

“Wow, thanks for the confidence,” I deadpanned. Even my own family was replacing me in fantasy league.

“Anything for you, bro,” Mateo said, slapping me on the back.

“But seriously Wy, get your head out of your ass. You’re costing me. I dropped from first to fourth,” Landon said.

“It should be considered cheating to have your own brother in your fantasy league.” I pointed out.

“Not like we’re winning,” Mateo remarked, and I glared in his direction.

“What? It’s true.”

“You’re a little shit you know that?”

“Yeah, and I’m still the best Boone. I mean look at him,” Mateo pointed to Landon. “He’s getting old. And you, you’re kinda losing it, so all the greatness is falling onto me now.” He gave Landon and I a cheeky grin.

“You going first or am I?” Landon asked, perfectly calm as the two of us slowly moved towards Mateo.

“You can do the honors.” The words barely left my mouth before Landon lunged towards Mateo. The little shit was fast, but I blocked his path just in time for Landon to wrap his arm around Mateo’s head and put him in a headlock.

“Ow!”

“I’m barely holding you,” Landon scoffed.

“I need my beautiful face. How else am I going to get the ladies!”

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