Page 130 of Fear of Intimacy

I didn’t think I could be more attracted to Trevor but watching him instruct these kids was definitely doingsomething to me. One night, a while back, the two of us were lying in bed when he admitted that he was scared to be a dad.

He didn’t want to bring up his kids the way he had been raised. Scared that history would repeat itself. I told him then that he would be the best dad ever, and watching him right now, I knew with all my heart he would be the type of dad that put others to shame. Trevor always went above and beyond for those he loved And that would continue once he had children of his own.

“Sunshine!”

I jerked out of my thoughts as Trevor called out for me. The damn nickname still made my heart flutter.

Trevor stood out on the ice, waving me over. I was so in my head that I didn’t notice the kids were slowly leaving the ice as their parents packed up to leave. Stepping out into the rink, I made my way toward my entire friend group. I should have put skates on because I stumbled a few times before Trevor grabbed my hand and tugged me into his side, our fingers laced.

“That went off without a hitch.” Mila grinned, leaning against Bryton. It really did. The kids were great, and we made it through without anyone crying so I’d call that a win.

“The readers are going to love the article,” Lydia agreed, looking over at Landon as she said it.

“We should go out and celebrate,” Wyatt suggested.

“Oh, let’s go to Rick’s!” Josie added, everyone agreeing.

“And afterward, you two ladies,” Mateo came up, throwing an arm around me and Josie, “can come back to my place.”

“Your place?” I questioned.

“Yeah, show you what a real man is like.” Mateo smirked.

“Am I not included?” Mila butted in.

“All you beautiful ladies are welcome.” He winked ateveryone, including Lydia. Biting my lip, I tried my hardest not to laugh.

I loved Mateo’s confidence. Plus, we all knew he was doing it to get on the guys’ nerves. Judging from the look every guy was sending his way, I would say it was working.

“Mmm, think you can handle four women at once?” I leaned into Mateo’s side, looking up at him from under my lashes.

“We can be a handful.” Josie played along, leaning into his other side. From the corner of my eye, I saw Mila step forward, but Bryton yanked her back with a glare.

“Y-yes,” Mateo stammered, looking down at us with wide eyes. Sharing a look with Josie, I peeled my hand out of Trevor’s, much to his dismay.

Reaching up, I placed my hand on Mateo’s chest. “Then let’s go.”

Before Mateo could reply, I was being grabbed around the waist and yanked backward, my back hitting Trevor’s front.

“You took my woman!”

“I thought I was your woman?”Josie replied before Wyatt grabbed her as well, pulling her away from his younger brother.

“Mila,” Mateo tried.

Bryton shook his head at Mateo, daring him to try and claim his girlfriend. From my spot in Trevor’s arms, I watched as Mateo turned to Lydia only to find Landon standing there, arms crossed. “Not a chance, baby brother.”

“Everyone knows I could stealallyour women like that.” Mateo snapped his fingers. “I have tons waiting back at uni.”

“Yeah, right.” Landon snorted, making Mateo narrow his eyes at him.

“Well, at least I get laid,” Mateo shot back. “How long hasit been, Lan? A year? Two? Never?” He fake gasped. “Don’t worry, we’ll find someone to pluck your cherry.”

I watched with fascination as Landon stepped toward his brother in his ice skates. Back in the day, Landon was taller than Mateo, but over the last year or so, Mateo had really grown and filled out, easily rivaling his brothers.

“What did you just say?” Landon narrowed his eyes. The taunting grin on Mateo’s face showed he knew exactly what he was doing.

“No need to be ashamed that I've had sex before you.” Mateo slowly started to skate backward. “Maybe I can get Ms. Howard, the librarian, to take you out.”

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