Happy Reading!!

Forgot to mention apparently...both Landon and Lydia are 29 years old! 

* * * * * * * *  * * * 

"Our first game of the playoffs are this Friday. You guys are coming right?" Mateo looked around the table at all of us, eyes hopeful.

"Of course." Josie was the first person to answer. I know Mateo loves to flirt with Josie to mess with Wyatt, but the two of them were really close. Mateo was the little brother Jo never had and Jo was the sister Mateo never had.

It was clear with how they interacted with each other that they loved one another. I found it sweet that Wyatt's little brother adored his fiancé.

"We'll be there." Wyatt nodded.

"Wouldn't miss it." Trevor added. "Think you guys will make it to the Championship this year?"

It was cute how everyone supported Mateo and his football. He may not have followed in his brothers footsteps with hockey, but he was doing just as great in his sport. He was star quarterback at Uni for the second year, which apparently was a huge deal with him being so young.

"I think so. Our team is melding well together this year, we've only lost a few games."

"Are we allowed to bring signs? Because I wanna bring a sign." Tasha asked.

"Yeah do we get jerseys too?" Sydni butted in.

I hid my grin at the blush that appeared on Mateo's cheeks. He may act cocky at times but you could tell everyone talking about his talent embarrassed him a little. As I sat there listening to the group talk about attending Mateo's game and idea came to mind.

"Hey Mateo."

"Yeah?"

"How do you feel doing an interview for the magazine?" At my words his eyes widened.

"Seriously?"

"Why not. We need a sport section and if Josie doesn't mind she can take pictures at the game." I shrugged.

"Hell yes."

"No." Landon cut his younger brother off. Turning towards me with a glare.

"No?" I raised an eyebrow.

"He isn't some prized mare you can showcase in your magazine."

"I'll be a prized mare." Mateo pipped up.

"What's the harm?"

"He's a kid." Landon snapped. "He doesn't need to be paraded around just for you to get some money."

"Lan." Wyatt tried to say but I was already talking.

"He's 19 and can make decisions for himself." I narrowed my eyes at Landon, anger starting to burn in my chest. "I'm not using him for money, it's to help get his name out there."

"It puts another target on his back. You're basically letting everyone know about Wyatt Boone's younger brother."

"They already know he's Wyatt's brother." I start to say but he cut me off.

"They'll start to question his talent and if he got where he is today without any help. Any scouts that want him will start looking at others who are 'more deserving'. All you'll be doing is making it twice as hard for Mateo at Uni."

Landon's words pierced my chest. I hadn't thought of it like that. I just wanted to help. I went to open my mouth to apologize but Landon kept going.

"You may be money hungry but the rest of us are not."

The words felt like a blow to the stomach. The table was silent as Landon's words echoed in the air. I held his gaze for another moment before looking down at my plate. My chest ached from his words but I kept my face blank.

The emotionless mask I've perfected sliding into place. Swallowing the hurt in my chest I forced myself to take a sip of my wine, the alcohol burning its way down my throat. The air was awkward and tense as we all sat there.

"So I'm not a prized mare?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

As the afternoon wore on I kept to myself. Even with Mateo trying to bring up the mood there was an air of tension. I was actively ignoring Landon even though I could feel his eyes on me every time I walked by.

His words were harsh and I couldn't deny they were eating away at me. Am I money hungry? Was I in the wrong? I hadn't meant for my offer to come off that way but maybe it did. But even if it did Landon didn't have to be an absolute asshole about it. Then again when is Landon not an ass.

As everyone sat on the patio talking I walked over to the side of the pool, slipping my shoes off. The water wasn't warm by any means making me hiss as I put my feet in. As much as I liked being around everyone I needed a few moments alone.

"You're sulking." A tall, lean body plopped down next to me.

"I just needed a moment."

"That could be classified as sulking." Mateo pointed out.

I didn't answer, watching my feet kick under the water. A second later Mateo's feet joined mine. Even sitting Mateo was taller than me. He's grown a lot since I first met him over a year ago. He wasn't the tall lanky teenage boy. Being at Uni has definitely made him more grown up.

"Don't listen to Landon. He's an asshole." He said a few minutes later.

"Yeah." My voice came out soft.

"He's protective, overly so but he does mean well."

"You're his baby brother. I get it." I shrugged.

"He's been through a lot." Mateo's voice got soft, making me glance over at him in surprise. "I was only a few months old when my dad left us. The only real father figure I've ever had was Landon. He may have been a kid as well but he took the role for Wyatt and I. Taught me everything I know."

My heart squeezed at the way Mateo was speaking about his older brother. Don't often see the serious side to Mateo.

"Sometimes I think he forgets that Wyatt and I don't need a father anymore, we just need a brother." Glancing over at me I met his gaze. "Landon comes across as a dick but he's only looking out for us. I can guarantee he feels like shit for what he said."

I had known a little bit about Landon and his family. How his father ran off when Mateo was only a few months old, leaving their mom to raise all three boys. That Landon helped raise both Wyatt and Mateo despite being young.

I understood where Landon was coming from. If I had a younger sibling I probably would act the same way. Didn't mean his words hurt any less though.

"Probably best you're not in the magazine."

"Robbing the people of seeing this gorgeous face." Mateo waved at his face.

"Such a shame." The corner of my lips tilted up.

"It truly is." Mateo grinned at me. "But I promise when my team wins the Championship this year you can get an exclusive interview." He nudged me with his shoulder.

"I'll hold you to that." I nudged him back with a smile.

Hearing our names being called I let out a sigh. Time to get back. Mateo easily got to his feet, holding out his hand for me. As soon as I placed my hand in his he was yanking me up. Bending down to grab my shoes I came up to find Mateo still standing there with a smirk.

"So where's my kiss?"

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I helped cheer you up. So a kiss is my reward." He looked quite proud of himself for saying that. Covering my smile I stood up onto my toes, leaning close towards him. I watched as his eyes widened and his lips parted.

I got close to his mouth, keeping my eyes on him. My lips twitched when Mateo's eyes started to close, waiting for the kiss.

"In your dreams kid." I whispered before kissing his cheek and pulling away. Shock covering Mateo's face. I stepped around him with a smirk, heading back towards the group.

"Oh you will be!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Landon

"We'll see you guys at the game on Wednesday." Josie said as she went around hugging everyone bye.

From my spot off to the side I could see my brother watching his fiancé with a soft grin. The expression on his face was one I hadn't seen until Josie came into his life. I've never seen my brother as happy as he is today.

"You're coming Wednesday right?" Josie asked as she wrapped me in a hug.

Won't lie at first I was iffy about Josie. Learning she worked for a magazine and was seeing my brother didn't sit well at first. Wouldn't be the first girl using my brother for his fame. But Jo wasn't like that. Only took being around her for a little bit to see she wasn't like the past girls my brother 'dated'.

"I'll be there." I promised, hugging her small frame. I haven't been to one of Wyatt's games this season anyways. Plus you don't say no to Josie.

"Good." She beamed up at me as she stepped back. "Tell your mom hi."

"Will do."

As everyone went around saying bye my eyes moved to a certain blonde. Lydia was talking to Tasha, her lips quirked up in a smile. The sight of her gorgeous smile had my own lips twitching.

Lydia was the bane of my existence.

She was a bull-headed, smart mouthed, know-it-all. Always had something to say and claimed she was always right. It grated on my nerves to no end.

But I couldn't deny she was damn gorgeous. Her shorter blonde hair fit her no BS attitude. When her green eyes ever glanced in my direction it was like a bolt of lightning hit me directly in the chest. Even when she was glaring and angry she was beautiful. Which is why I couldn't help but rile her up sometimes.

I hated how drawn to her I was. Hated how my eyes sought her out whenever we were all together. I didn't want too but I couldn't stop myself.

Lydia's eyes flicked up to meet mine for a brief moment before dropping back to Tasha. I didn't miss the flash of hurt in her eyes though. I stifled a groan. I shouldn't have said what I did. It was harsh. Even for me.

But when it came to my family I didn't care if I was an asshole. Mateo needed someone to look how for him and that was me. If not that little shit would do something to piss someone off. There's been plenty of times me and Wyatt have had to pick him up from school for being involved in some fight.

Mateo, like Wyatt, was meant for great things. He was going to make it to the NFL and I wasn't going to let anything stand in the way of that. Although I probably could have done better with that conversation with Lydia.

I was a stubborn asshole though. When I saw her head for the front door I took a step towards her, not even sure why but Bryton got in my way.

"Thanks for coming man." Over his shoulder I watched Lydia walk out the front door. Even if I wanted to apologize I couldn't now.

"No problem." I gave him a pat on the back. "Incase I don't see you before the game, good luck."

Bryton and Trevor may not be my brothers by blood but I still considered them to be. I've known Trevor since he and Wyatt were playing together at Uni. When Bryton joined the team and became friends with the other two, he kinda just slid into the group. Now Trevor and Bryton were as much my friends as they were Wyatt's.

Saying bye to the others I looped my arm around Mateo's neck and pulled him after me.

"Hey!"

"Stop flirting it's time to go."

"I was just about to convince Tasha to come home with me." Mateo groaned.

"Sorry maybe next time." Tasha said from behind us. There was no mistaking the teasing in her voice. Like Tasha would leave Trevor for my younger brother. Those two were just as sickly in love as my brother and Jo.

"Don't worry babe I'll steal you away soon!" Mateo called over his shoulder, going as far as to wink at Tasha.

"You're just asking to get your ass beat." I shook my head. One of these days he's going to get in trouble for hitting on other peoples girlfriends. He's just lucky Wyatt, Bryton and Trevor know he's joking. Half the time the girls egg him on.

"I could take him."

I let him go as we walked out of the house and down the steps to the driveway. Yeah, right. Mateo may be 6'1 and bigger since being in Uni, he had nothing on Trevor. The dude was 6'2 and hit guys the same size for a living. Trevor Hall was a beast on the ice. Football was physical but being quarterback was different than being Right Wing in the NHL.

"I would pay to see that." I remarked.

"I would too." Trevor butted in from behind us.

"Just don't get the money maker." Mateo gestured to his face. "Gotta give the girls a place to sit."

Both Trevor and Tasha choked at his words.

"Okay that's enough out of you." Grabbing the back of his neck once more I hauled him towards my truck.

"Bye babe!" Mateo yelled over his shoulder with a wide grin. This kid is going to be the death of me I swear.

I shoved him towards the passenger side with a shake of my head. I just know one day I'm going to get a call from him in the hospital after hitting on another guys girl. Little shit can't keep his mouth shut.

I pulled away from Bryton and Sydni's house and headed in the direction of York University. Since the two of us had been over at my mom's today I offered to drive him back to campus. He recently moved out of the house and got a place with some of his friends/teammates. It was actually a nice house near campus, a far cry from the houses when I was in Uni. When Wyatt offered to get him a place Mateo had surprisingly turned him down. Said he wanted to do things on his own without Wyatt or my help.

"Need anything at school?" I asked after we had been on the road for a few minutes.

"I'm all good." Mateo waved me off. "Mom already dropped off a weeks worth of food." Sounds like mom. He may have moved out but mom will always treat him like a kid, which Mateo secretly loved.

"Bet your roommates love that."

"Mom is their favorite person." Not that I blamed them. My mom was a saint.

When my father walked out on us she didn't sit around and let it consume her. She had three kids to raise and take care of. She worked multiple jobs to make sure all three of us had what we needed, not once caring about herself.

Even now when we are all grown up she still finds ways to take care of us. Whether that be bringing food over or calling us every other day to check in. She was the best person I know.

The two of us were quiet for a few minutes before Mateo started shifting in his seat. It was his tell that something was on his mind. I knew better than to ask. Mateo never could hold anything in longer than a few minutes.

"Lan."

"Hmm."

"You fucked up." He didn't mince words. "We both know Lydia didn't mean any harm."

"Mateo." I sighed not in the mood to talk about it.

"You were a dick." He said it flat out. "She was just trying to help and you humiliated her."

"I didn't-"

"You did. In front of everyone. You didn't notice the change in her afterwards but I did." Mateo turned in his seat to look at me. "You need to apologize."

I clenched at my jaw at his words. It's not often Mateo calls me out on my shit so if he was I know I truly fucked up.

"She left before I could."

"I know saying sorry isn't your thing." Mateo teased. "But you better do it soon. And don't be weird about it."

"I won't make it weird."

"All you have to do is say you know what you did wrong and you are sorry."

"I know how to apologize." I muttered.

Since when was my younger brother good at giving advice? Or better yet, when did I start listening to said advice. 

________________________________________________________________________________

Ahhh baby Mateo! Ugh I just love him. I will say he's probably my favorite person to write, he's always so goofy and cute but I wanted to show a little more serious side to him. How sweet was he coming to comfort Lydia? *Swoon*

Also wanted to show a peek into Landon's head. There will be more POV from Landon as the story continues. He's someone that seems so closed off so I want to show you guys what's going on with him from time to time. I know you guys are probably mad at his reaction in this chapter but remember...this story is 'enemies to lovers'. 

So happy to see your comments! It really makes my day seeing you guys reading this story and loving it. I promise I read ALL the comments on my stories. You guys crack me up! :P Love you guys so much!!

As always VOTE, COMMENT!

Huge thank you for getting 'Fear of Intimacy' to 500k reads!! You guys are amazing! Seeing that you guys are loving this series really makes me happy to be writing it. I've never written a series before so it means the world that you guys are happy to be reading it. 

<3 <3 <3

-Ken

𝓐𝓾𝓰𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓭 𝓪𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓪 𝓫𝓸𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝔀𝓲𝓷𝓮