Page 64 of Fear of Love
“Okay, um, I’ll see you at my place in a bit?” I asked, a giddy feeling worming its way through my chest.
“I’ll let you know when I’m close.”
After I hung up, I clenched my steering wheel, my heart pounding in my chest. I was about to cook dinner for Landon. A guy, who up until a month ago, I couldn’t stand to be around.
As I drove home, I tried my hardest not to think about the lines becoming blurred between us.
18
LANDON
“We need one more game to clinch the division,” Wyatt said as he took a pull from his beer.
While the girls were at some paint class with Mom, the guys and I decided to make it a boy’s night. The Den was the best place to go for drinks. It was a few blocks from the arena and one of the only places Wyatt, Trevor, and Bryton could go without being hassled by fans.
We learned our lesson a few years back about going out to other bars. As soon as someone recognized any of the guys, we would be swarmed with fans and women. Winning the last championship made the three of them even more popular, making it hard to go out without someone recognizing them.
I knew they didn’t mind too much. The three of them always stopped to take pictures or sign something for fans. They appreciated the support, but I knew it could get overwhelming. They never expected to be this well-known, but it was the price they paid for being the three best hockey players in the league.
“That cup is ours again this year,” Trevor said matter-of-factly. It could be seen as cocky, but he wasn’t wrong. The team was playing their best, only having lost a few games during the season so far.
“A wedding and a cup win—I like the sound of that.” Wyatt smirked.
“Speaking of weddings. You ready? It’s only a few weeks away,” I asked my younger brother who sat next to me. It was hard to believe he was going to be married. It felt like just yesterday I was teaching him how to drive.
“More than ready.” The look that appeared on his face was one I never saw on him until he met Josie. As I looked at my brother, I thought about how far he had come. He wasn’t the little kid that used to follow me around and annoy the shit out of me. He was a grown man about to be married to the love of his life.
After multiple failed relationships, one where the girl was only with him to boost her social media, Wyatt stayed away from anything serious. Not that I blamed him. Then he got hurt.
I watched him fall to the ice before being carted away in the middle of the game. The hardest thing I ever had to do was sit back and watch him struggle. He never admitted it, but I knew it was extremely hard for him not to play and to watch his team lose their chance at a cup win while he healed.
He put on a front and acted like he was fine but he wasn’t. Even when he was cleared to play, he wasn’t the Wyatt I knew. It wasn’t until he met Josie that things changed and the old Wyatt started to come back.
This was the happiest I’d ever seen him, and that was all thanks to Josie. The two of them couldn’t have found each other at a better time.
“When are you going to tell her about the surprise?” I asked, taking a sip of my beer.
“I’m thinking this weekend after the game.”
“What are you going to do with her apartment?” Bryton questioned.
“It’s the last thing Jo’s father gave her before he passed, so I’m not sure how she feels about selling it. We could always keep it and let Mateo move in at some point.” Wyatt shrugged.
“She’s going to love the house.” I nudged his arm. For the last two months, I went with him to countless homes, trying to find the perfect one. Fifteen houses later, he found one he claimed Josie would love. Plus, it was close to Mila and Bryton’s place and not too far from my mom’s, either.
“I hope so.”
“Who would have thought we’d see a domesticated Wyatt,” Trevor joked.
“Me? You’re the one who’s wrapped around Tasha’s finger,” Wyatt shot back.
“And I’m not complaining.” Trevor grinned. “I’ll wrap myself around her any day.”
“Glad you finally grew a pair and got together,” I commented.
“Me?” Trevor looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “When are you finally going to admit you have a thing for Lydia?” That had Wyatt and Bryton looking at me.
“I don’t.” The lie burnt my tongue. They had no clue I spent the last three weeks with her. Hell, I’ve spent more time with her than my own brothers recently.
