We went our separate ways after another quick kiss. Promising to see each other in the next two hours when the event wrapped up.

Thankfully those two hours flew by. People slowly started trickling out of the building as the clock neared 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Half of the kids were being carried out from being so exhausted and the other half were dragging their feet not wanting to leave. After Landon said they were welcome back any time to skate they got a bit of pep back in their step.

It took a bit but finally the place was cleared out. All of the hockey team but Wyatt, Trevor and Bryton had left. Landon thanked them all profusely for taking the time to be here today since the team was in the middle of Playoffs now.

"We'll that was fun." Tasha said as we all gathered near the ice rink.

"The best part was definitely Mateo being tackled by the kids." Trevor smirked over at Mateo who was sitting on a bench holding an ice pack to his head.

"Yeah it was so fucking fun." Mateo muttered.

With the event winding down Mateo put on skates and got on the ice with some of the kids. Just like last year all the kids immediately took to him and pretty much swarmed him on the ice. While he was trying to skate away, calling out for Josie to help him, the kids somehow knocked him off his feet and he landed on the ice hitting his head.

He didn't hit his head too hard but just enough to leave a bump. He's been hit harder playing football but he didn't stop any of us from fawning over him. Pretty sure he played it up just so Josie could feel him up.

"Poor baby." Jo cooed, moving to sit down beside Mateo. He pouted his lips and laid his head on her shoulder before shooting Wyatt a smirk.

"Little shit." Wyatt cursed his brother. The others snickered.

I leaned back against Landon's chest as everyone talked. My feet hurt from walking in my heels all day and my hand ached a little. As if sensing I was tired Landon kissed the top of my chest and wrapped his arms around me.

Everyone was mid-conversation when I caught sight of Evelyn heading towards us but she wasn't alone. I felt my eyes widen as I stared at the two. Oh shit.

Across from me Tasha looked at me mouthing 'what's wrong'. I made a little motion to turn around as the pair got closer to us. Tasha peeked over her shoulder before whipping back around.

I stiffened in Landon's arm as Evelyn and Coach came up to the group. This may not go well.

"Hi everyone." Evelyn greeted. I watched as Trevor and Bryton stiffened when they caught sight of their Coach.

"Oh, hey, coach." Bryton greeted but his eyes darted to Wyatt.

"Boys." Coach greeted. "Ladies." His voice softened slightly when he greeted us girls.

"I thought you left." Josie smiled in Coach's direction. Steven. His name is Steven. I mentally told myself. I hadn't even known his first name until a few weeks ago.

"There's something I want to tell you all." Evelyn spoke up, looking at her sons nervously. Those of us who knew were standing there awkwardly. Both Trevor and Bryton looked like they'd rather be anywhere else.

"Is something wrong?" Landon asked from behind me. I could feel the tension in him and didn't have to look at him to know his mind was going through every worse case scenario.

"No, no, nothings wrong." I could tell she was trying to work up the courage to say it. There's no other reason for her and Coach to still be here if they weren't going to say they are seeing each other.

"Mom?" Mateo sat up looking at his mom in confusion.

Evelyn looked over at Coach, Steven, the two of them having a silent conversation. Coach reached down and grabbed Evelyn hand before looking at all of us.

"Evelyn and I are seeing each other."

You could hear a pin drop in the silence that followed. Wyatt, Mateo and Josie stared at Evelyn and Steven with open mouths. I couldn't see Landon but I could feel just how still he was.

The rest of us stood there awkwardly. The guys shifting on their feet. Trevor went to open his mouth but Tasha jammed her elbow in his side shutting him up. Bryton looked at Sydni for help but she did a quick shake of her head.

Well this is awkward.

"How did this..." Wyatt spoke first pointing a finger between the two of them. He was staring at them like he wasn't sure what he was seeing.

"We ran into each other a few months ago and started talking." Evelyn looked up at Steven, her face relaxing. Since my shock wore off three weeks ago when I saw the two at Josie's wedding I watched the two.

I saw her leaning into him, their hands locked and the movement was so quick but I caught the three squeezes Steven did. They looked adorable together. Steven towered over Evelyn, his frame twice the size of her. He may be a good 10 years older than her but neither looked their age at all.

I liked the way he looked at Evelyn. If I thought Landon was gruff and grumpy, Coach Steven Barnum, had him beat but when he looked at Evelyn I could see his expression softening. The corner of his lip quirked up.

Landon, Wyatt and Mateo stayed silent just staring at the couple. Part of me wanted to break the silence but I knew better. Evelyn was their mom and this was between the four of them.

"So you and Coach are together?" Wyatt asked.

"We are." Steven answered, meeting Wyatt's gaze head on. There was a tension in Coach's shoulders I hadn't noticed before. It was hard to tell but I think he was nervous standing here announcing himself as Evelyn's boyfriend to her three sons. Her three sons who would go to hell and back for their mom.

"Are you happy?" This time it was Mateo. He was looking straight at his mom as he asked.

"I am." Evelyn answered after a moment. "After your father left I wasn't sure I wanted to be with someone again and then as the years passed and I got older I didn't think I could be with anyone. But Steven," Both Trevor and Bryton choked at hearing their coach's first name. "he makes me happy."

When she looked up at him with a soft smile it took everything I had not to say 'aw'. They really were about to be the couple.

"I'm not trying to replace your father." Steven started to say.

"The asshole bailed years ago, he's not our father." Mateo said before he could finish. Steven nodded in understanding.

"Your mother is a grown woman and can see whoever she wants but I..." Steven cleared his throat. "I would like to get your approval to date your mother."

When he said the last part he looked directly at me. No, wait, not at me. At Landon standing at my back. No one said it but we all knew Landon was the 'father figure', 'man of the house'. He's the one who stepped up when their father left and took care of everyone.

All the boys are close with their mom but there's nothing a bond with your first born. Landon was the oldest and remembered everything that happened with Evelyn and their father. He was the one who was there though it all and saw the aftermath. If anyone is to ask for permission it should be through Landon.

Landon's arms disappeared as he stepped around me. My hand shot out to grab him but I pulled it back at the last second. He wasn't going to hurt Steven. And this was between them, not me. So I stepped back, crossing my arms, and watched. Steven and Landon were about the same height and oddly the same built. Both with wide shoulders and big arms.

"Do you love my mother?" The first words spoken by Landon in the last five minutes.

"I think I could with time." Came Steven's honest response. I moved a little to the side, pressing against Sydni's side so I could see Landon and Steven's faces.

Evelyn stayed quiet as she watched, looking between the two nervously.

"If you so much as make her cry all three of us will see to ruining your life." Landon stared right into Steven's eyes as he spoke. He didn't balk or look away.

"Understood."

"Good." Landon nodded once. Without another word Landon stepped towards his mother and pulled her small frame into a tight hug.

Hesitantly Mateo walked up to Steven. Mateo, like the guys on the team, is clearly intimidated by the guy but Mateo pushed his shoulders back and looked him head on.

"You treat her right and we won't have a problem." The hard look he gave Steven made me smile. Mateo may be goofy and always smiling but when it came down to his mom he didn't mess around. When he went over to hug his mom, whispering something we couldn't hear, Wyatt came up to his coach.

Out of everyone that had to be the weirdest. Your hockey Coach dating your mom. Trevor and Bryton's eyes bounced back and forth between the two.

"You look out for her and never let her stop smiling, am I clear?" I've never heard Wyatt take that tone with his Coach. Clearly Trevor and Bryton hadn't either as their eyes widened. "She is my mom and you will treat her like your number one priority."

"Always." There was no mistaking the promise in Coach Barnum's voice. Wyatt stared at him for another minute before giving a small nod. When he went to hug Evelyn she was already crying. Seeing that they all needed a moment together I stepped back.

"How about we..." I gestured over my shoulder to a spot a little bit away. The others quickly nodded and stepped around from the Boone family. Sensing that he shouldn't be there Steven walked with us but he kept glancing over his shoulder at Evelyn. Once we were a little bit away Josie stopped next to Steven.

"Well I for one am happy for you Coach." Going up on her toes she wrapped her arms around him in a hug. He stood there for a second, stiff as a board, before patting her back in return. "Welcome to the family." She beamed up at him stepping back. About a month ago Josie did say she thought Evelyn was seeing someone, so she wasn't wrong.

"Since he's part of the family now do we get out of doing suicide drills?" Trevor interjected.

"No." Steven instantly answered with a hard voice.

"Damn it." Trevor muttered.

"Are we-"

"No." Bryton didn't even get the words out before Steven was saying no. I stifled my laugh at their expression. Just cause he was dating Wyatt's mom doesn't mean he was going to go easy on them on the ice.

I kept one eyes on Landon as he stood talking with his mom and brothers. Evelyn was saying something that had all of them nodding. None of them looked horribly upset so it can't be that bad. But then again I don't see any of them showing their anger or hurt in front of their mom.

They only talked for another second before Evelyn pulled them all into a hug. When she stepped back she wiped at her face but she was smiling. Seeing that everything was going okay Steven slowly made his way over.

I watched with bated breath as the guys and him spoke for a moment before Steven extended his hand.

"Wow." Josie whispered next to me, taking the words right out of my mouth, as Landon shook Steven's hand. Followed by Mateo and finally Wyatt.

Both Evelyn and Steven laced their hands together and stepped back. The rest of us watched as they said bye, at least I think it was, before the couple turned and walked off.

Wanting to be there for Landon I quickly made my way over. Josie doing the same thing. I placed my hand on Landon's arm as I came up to his side.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah." Landon's response didn't sound all that confident. Across from us I could hear Josie asking Wyatt and Mateo the same question.

"Are you okay?" I moved so I could peer up into his face. It took him a second to answer.

"It's...it's weird thinking about my mom dating. Not that she can't but I guess it never really occurred to me that she could date."

"She's never dated before." Mateo added, sounding a bit dazed.

"It's weird but I'd never be angry at her for dating." Landon looked at me with furrowed brows. "She thought we'd hate her for it." I could see her feeling like that. Maybe think the boys would be upset that she's 'replacing' their father in a way.

"It's weird it's with Coach." Wyatt scrunched up his nose.

"So you guys don't mind?" Josie looked between the two confused. I was too. I couldn't decide if they were upset or okay with it.

"Don't get me wrong I'm not thrilled my mom is going out on dates and kissing." All three brothers shuddered at Mateo's words. "But she deserves to be happy. She's given up a lot for us."

"We just want her to be happy even if it makes things awkward with Coach and I." Wyatt said in agreement. I looked up at Landon waiting for his response.

"She could do worse. Coach Barnum isn't a bad guy." I could tell Landon was still floored by the news and that it would take a little bit for him to come to terms with it.

"Well I'm proud of you guys for being so accepting." Josie gave them all a smile. "Your mom is an amazing woman and deserves someone who will celebrate that." She paused for a second. "And this means we can all go on double dates with them!"

"God Jo no. Don't even say that." Mateo pretended to gag.

"Come on Matty, me and you together and your mom and Steven." Josie was purposely teasing him now as Mateo covered his ears and started backing away.

"Jo stop! No!"

When Josie started saying something else Mateo shook his head and started walking away only for Josie to follow after him. In a split second the two were running around the outside of the rink. Josie yelling about double dates and Mateo yelling back at her to stop.

Wyatt just stood there watching the two. He seemed to still be processing everything as well.

Touching Landon's arm I brought his attention to me.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm not sure. It's just a lot to wrap my head around."

"I know." I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my chin on his chest as I gazed up at him. "I'm right here if you need anything, okay?"

"Thank you." Landon bent his head to kiss my forehead. "I love you." He murmured against my skin.

"I love you too." 

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I don't know about you guys but I love this chapter. Seeing Landon, Wyatt and Mateo's protective side to their mom is so cute. I wanted to have this scene and have Evelyn tell the guys but I didn't want it to be dramatic. I didn't want any of them to be pissed at their mom dating. They are all grown ups and it just didn't fit the theme of these books to me. So to me their reactions were exactly how I wanted. Plus it was cute how Steven/Coach asked for permission.