Page 125 of Fear of Love
“It’s… It’s weird thinking about my mom dating. Not that she can’t, but I guess it never really occurred to me that she can.”
“She’s never dated before,” Mateo added, sounding a bit dazed.
“It’s strange, but I’d never be mad at her for it.” Landon looked at me with furrowed brows. “She thought we’d hate her for it.” I understood why she felt that way. Maybe she worried the boys would be upset, feeling like she was somehow replacing their father.
“Coach of all people.” Wyatt shook his head with a frown.
“So, you guys don’t mind?” Josie looked between the two, confused. I was, too. I couldn’t decide if they were upset or okay with it.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not thrilled my mom is going out on dates and kissing.” All three brothers shuddered at Mateo’s words. “But she deserves to be happy. She’s given up a lot for us.”
“Even if it makes things awkward between Coach and me,” Wyatt said in agreement. I looked up at Landon, waiting for his response.
“She could do worse. Coach Barnum isn’t a bad guy.” I could tell Landon was still floored by the news and that it would take time for him to come to terms with it.
“Well, I’m proud of you guys for being so accepting.” Josie gave them all a smile. “Your mom is an amazing woman and deserves someone who will celebrate that.” She paused for asecond. “And this means we can all go on double dates with them!”
“God, Jo, no. Don’t even say that.” Mateo pretended to gag.
“Come on, Matty. Me and you together, and your mom and Steven.” Josie was purposely teasing him as Mateo covered his ears and started backing away.
“Jo, stop! No!”
When Josie started saying something else, Mateo shook his head and started walking away, only for Josie to follow after him. In a split second, the two were running around the outside of the rink, Josie yelling about double dates and Mateo yelling back at her to stop.
Wyatt stood silently, watching the two of them. He looked like he was still trying to process it all.
I gently touched Landon’s arm, drawing his attention to me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m not sure. It’s just a lot to wrap my head around.”
“I know.” I slipped my arm around his waist, resting my chin on his chest as I gazed up at him. “I’m right here if you need anything, okay?”
“Thank you.” Landon bent and kissed my forehead. “I love you,” he murmured against my skin.
“I love you, too.”
36
LYDIA
Four Months Later….
“Fuck you,”Trevor hissed.
“I didn’t do anything!” Tasha shot right back.
“You were cheating!” Trevor accused his girlfriend.
Tasha glared at Trevor, holding a spoon. “No, I was not.”
“You totally were.”
I held a different spoon tightly in my hand as I watched my friends argue that someone cheated. I wish I could say this was the first argument we had since we started playing Spoons, but this was the fourth in the last half hour.
Thankfully, it didn’t go on as long as I thought it would before we were back to playing. You’d think after playing games as a group the last two years we’d learn our lesson and not play at all, but nope. Card and Board games hated to see us coming.
“Has anyone thought about our next group vacation?” Josie asked randomly as we passed the playing cards around the table.
