Page 34 of Fear of Love
“You know this could be an everyday thing if you’d just agree to be my girlfriend,” he said above me, arms wrapped around myback. Contrary to his words, Mateo hugged me like one would a friend.
“You would make a pretty great boyfriend.” There was no doubt in my mind that Mateo would make a great partner. He was sweet, funny, caring, and treated women with respect. He really was a good kid, flirting and teasing aside.
“So, let’s make it official. I like my women older.”
“You make it sound like I’m eighty.” I stepped back, hitting his stomach with the back of my hand.
“Even if you were, you look fantastic.” His grin was teasing.
“Gee, thanks.” I rolled my eyes.
“Anytime, pookie.”
With another shake of my head, I gave him a look. “Be good.”
“Always.” Mateo winked. Yeah, I didn’t believe that for a second.
Saying bye to the others and promising to text the girls later, I made my way down the front steps to Landon’s truck since he was my ride here after the game. I tugged my coat tighter around me as Josie slid into the backseat beside me. Wyatt sat up front with Landon.
“Don’t have too much naked fun up there,” Josie said as Landon pulled away from Evelyn’s house. I covered my mouth as I snorted, Josie giggling beside me. Wyatt turned in his seat to glare at his fiancée.
I met Landon’s gaze in the rearview mirror, grinning so wide it hurt. I was never letting him live this down, that was for sure.
We only drove for a few minutes before Josie spoke up again.
“So, what’s the story of Mateo at the zoo?” She peered between the two front seats as she asked. Wyatt turned to look at her, a hint of laughter dancing in his eyes. It only seemed fair that we got to hear Mateo’s story after Wyatt and Landon’s.
I sat forward, curious as well.
“Mateo was fifteen and one of his high school classes took a field trip to the zoo,” Wyatt started to explain. “The class had only been there for about thirty minutes before he called Landon.” The glean in Wyatt’s eye had Josie and me leaning in closer.
“Mateo called me from one of the bathrooms because he crapped his pants and needed a fresh pair.” Landon took over the story. “Like a good brother, I got in the truck and went to take him some clothes, only to get a call when I was almost there.”
My lips twitched as Landon purposely paused the story for dramatic affect. Through the rearview mirror, I could see the grin playing on his lips.
“The second call was also from Mateo, saying he ran out of toilet paper and had to use his shirt.” Landon barely got the words out as he started chuckling, followed by the rest of us.
The image of Mateo stuck in a zoo bathroom had me laughing so hard.
“I turned around and had to go back home to get him a shirt. By the time I finally got there, Mateo had been in the bathroom for almost two hours.” Aw, poor fifteen-year-old Mateo. “I had to tell the teacher he was sick and bring him home.”
“Oh no, Mateo.” Josie giggled.
“To this day, he won’t tell us what happened that caused him to shit his pants.” Wyatt laughed.
“Has he been back to the zoo?” I asked.
“Nope, or at least, I don’t think so,” Wyatt answered.
“We should go sometime,” I said, sharing a grin with Josie. It would be funny if we all went and had Mateo tag along.
“Now that would be fun,” Josie agreed.
The rest of the ride to Josie and Wyatt’s apartment went by as we talked about planning a group trip to the zoo. Before I knew it, Landon pulled up to the curb of their building.
As Josie slid out of the truck, I silently pleaded for her to stay, but like the traitor she was, she gave me a wink and a wave before shutting the door. With the two of them walking away hand in hand, it left Landon and me alone in his truck.
“Are you going to sit in the back the whole time?” Landon asked, making me tear my eyes away from Josie’s back that disappeared from view.
