“We know,” Wyatt said.
I swallowed. “Just…didn’t want to let anyone down.”
Beside me, Landon frowned. “By getting hurt?”
I didn’t answer. The last two weeks I struggled with the weight of failing. The team lost two games in a row because I wasn’t there. But it wasn’t just the team I was letting down. It was them, too.
So much time and money was spent to make sure I succeeded. So many hours of Landon, Wyatt, and my mom sitting in hard seats to watch me play. If I failed, then all of that would be for nothing.
“I let you guys down,” I admitted softly.
“Mateo.” Wyatt turned in his seat to look at me. “What are you talking about?”
“You could never let us down. Why would you even think that?” Landon's gaze was intense as he looked at me like he couldn’t fathom the words coming out of my mouth.
“If I’m not playing, or playing well, what’s the point of all your sacrifices?”
“Sacrifices?” Landon leaned forward. “Mateo, I madezerosacrifices when it came to you.”
“Yes, you did. You had a job you hated for years so you could pay bills. You didn’t date or do anything because you were always having to be around to help raise me.”
“None of that has to do with you, Mateo. It was my choice to do all of that, and I would gladly do it all again in a heartbeat.”
Landon reached out and clapped a hand on my shoulder, his hazel eyes drilling into mine.
“Raising you and Wyatt was the greatest honor of my life.” He glanced at Wyatt then back at me. “You are the best version of myself and Wyatt. It has been amazing seeing you grow into a great man, and an exceptional ball player. Whether you win or not, I will forever be proud of you.” His breath hitched at the end.
My own was stuck in my throat, fighting the tears that wanted to fall. Who knew I was such a crier?
“Don’t ever think you’ve failed or disappointed us,” Wyatt butted in. “Trust us, we willalwaysbe front row to your games. Win or lose.”
Landon’s hand squeezed my shoulder. Wyatt gave me a reassuring smile that countered the emotion in his eyes.
The moment passed before Landon cleared his throat, glancing at Wyatt.
“Fuck me,” he muttered. “I wasn’t prepared for today to go like this.”
“I swore to Josie I wouldn’t cry.” Wyatt wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
A weight that pressed down on me for years lifted. All I needed was my brother's reassurance. It would take a while to reprogram my mind, but right now, I felt like I was experiencing a breakthrough.
My eyes drifted over to Emmie. She twirled on the dance floor, the world's biggest grin on her face as she laughed at something Josie said.
“You love her,” Landon said.
“I do.” There was no ounce of hesitation.
“Never let her go,” Wyatt added.
“I don’t plan on it.” Spending a week apart taught me I didn’t want to ever be without her.
Needing to touch her, I stood. “I’ll talk to you guys later.”
I left before they could make any remark. I crossed the dance floor, side stepping Mila and Bryton.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I said, stopping in front of Emmie and extending my hand. “But may I steal you for a dance?”
“You may.” Emmie placed her palm in mine.
