“So,” I leaned forward with my arms on the table, “what does an after-game celebration usually look like?” I may have been fishing to know if he went out with girls afterward. Not that it truly mattered.
“Depends. Sometimes the guys and I will go out for a drink or to a club. But mostly, I’m at home with ice on my shoulder and a movie or TV show on. Every now and then, I’ll FaceTime my nieces and nephew,” he said, bringing his water to his lips.
A wave of relief hit me unexpectedly. I hadn't realized how nervous I was for his answer. Guess I thought he’d flat out say he slept with random women. To hide my relief, I took a sip of my own water and then spoke.
“You have nieces and a nephew?”
A wide smile took over his face. “I do. Kai, Wrenley, and Jayden.”
My heart pitter-pattered in my chest at his expression. A look of pure adoration.
“Kai is Landon and Lydia’s daughter. She’s five and already has a larger-than-life personality. Wrenley and Jayden are Wyatt and Josie’s twins, and complete opposites of each other. Wren is more like Kai in the fact she has no trouble going up to people and babbling away. Jayden is shyer and more reserved,” Mateo said as he pulled his phone from his pocket.
My eyebrows lifted at him opening his phone directly in front of me, unconcerned that I’d see his password and whatever else. Mateo clicked on his photo album and, shockingly, only had to scroll up a few photos to one with three kids.
“This one is Kai.” He pointed to a cute little girl with blonde pigtails and bright green eyes. “Then Jayden.” A little boy with shorter brown hair, big brown eyes, and a toothygrin. “And then Wren.” The other twin grinned widely at the camera, dressed in a princess outfit with her dirty blonde hair in a bun.
“They are adorable,” I awed. They were insanely cute, but what was cuter was the way Mateo talked about them. It was clear these little kids had him wrapped around their fingers.
“They really are.” His face softened as he took his phone back. “Of course I’m a bit biased as their uncle, but they really are the best kids in the whole world.”
“Bet you’re the uncle who fills them with sugar and then gives them back to their parents,” I teased.
“Oh, I definitely am.” He grinned. “I took them all for ice cream when I was back home and let them get the biggest bowl they wanted. Let's just say Josie and Lydia weren’t too thrilled.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “That’s what uncles are for.”
“I can’t let the others claim the cool, fun uncle title.”
“Oh, can’t have that.”
The two of us shared a knowing smile just as our food arrived. We were at a bar/burger place that Mateo suggested once we left the stadium. How we managed to find a table on a Thursday game night was impressive since the place was packed. The giant TVs on the walls highlighted tonight's game, along with others. It was a miracle no one came up to our table to talk to Mateo.
Twin burgers were placed in front of us, followed by a basket of curly fries. The sight made my mouth water. I was starving, thanks to practice this morning and only managing to snag a small salad before heading to the game.
I grabbed a curly fry and stuffed it in my mouth without preamble and moaned. These were the best fries I ever had. A light groan had me snapping my eyes up to find Mateo watching me, pupils dilated and focused on my mouth.
“What?” I put my hand over my mouth as I chewed.
“Make that sound again, and I won’t be responsible for what happens next,” Mateo warned, voice tight.
My thighs squeezed as images of what he would do flashed through my mind. Him lunging across the table to pull me into a kiss, hand dipped between my thighs to press against the seam of my shorts.
“Emmie,” he grunted, making me blink to clear the images from my head. Clearing my throat, I swallowed.
“Sorry.” Except, I really wasn’t. Not when a man like Mateo looked seconds away from throwing me over his shoulder.
Letting him have a moment, I grabbed my burger to take a bite. I needed to do something or else I would be the one to grab him and leave.
I wasn’t graceful as I ate. There was no point in acting all dainty and delicate when I needed food. Plus, the burger tasted amazing. It took Mateo another moment to gather himself before he picked up his own to eat.
We ate in silence for a little bit, enjoying the food even with the tension between us, which seemed to steadily grow as each second passed. It was probably a good thing we were seated on opposite sides of the table.
The heat in Mateo’s eyes had me shifting in my seat every so often. I couldn’t tell if the room had gotten hotter or if it was just me.
“This place has good food,” I said stupidly, my brain too fogged to make full sentences.
“You should try this place back home—Rick’s. Best burgers in all of Toronto.” Mateo’s foot brushed mine under the table, and tingles shot up my spine.
