Build And Break novel Chapter 43

Steven remained still, eyeing Angela. The same emotion as when he had handed her the divorce papers mirrored on her face while recounting those hurtful memories. All she had spoke just then was not what he expected. Angela had always been as loyal to him as ever. Crap, now divorcing her seemed to be the worst mistake he'd done in his life and will ever make in his lifetime.

Jimmy and Daniel come running into the room, interrupting Steven from his thoughts.

"Steven, come join us. Our favorite team is playing." Daniel chimed with eagerness and anticipation for the game while he jumped onto the sofa and made himself comfortable with his legs crossed underneath his body.

Angela caught the grimace that showed up in Steven's face and the scrunching on his lips which he hid instantly when he overlooked at Jimmy pressing the tiny buttons on the TV till he found the sports channel.

With a tilt of her head and an encouraging smile, Angela urged Steven to go on and join the men on the sofa before she retreated to the kitchen to assist Grace.

Steven wasn't sure if he was hating on the prospect of joining them because of the fact that he would be that close to Jimmy or because he would have to sit on that old, stained sofa or because he would have to squint his eyes too much to recognize anything displayed on the TV screen that could be no bigger than a thirty inch. But the one fact that was positive, that Daniel wanted him beside him, caused Steven to ignore all the other cons and with a reluctant gait, he went on to join them.

During the game, Steven couldn't help but be jealous of the great report there was between Daniel and Jimmy. If someone stranger saw them, they'd think they were the father and the son. But then again, what could have Steven expected. The boy knew Jimmy since his birth. Jimmy was like Daniel's second father figure after Tony. Then after Tony's loss, he guessed Jimmy took his place as the first father figure.

More than he had watched the game, Steven watched Jimmy and Daniel. He watched them cheer as if they were spectating the game live from the soccer ground. He listened to them criticizing and booing when their team missed or fouled, listened to them overjoy and applaud when the team scored or made a great move. Daniel was even more engrossed in the game than Jimmy. Goodness, that boy really loved football.

In a sort, it was the first time since Steven learned what the soccer sport was that he felt involved. In the intense moments of the game, he would get goosebumps from the excitement in Jimmy and Daniel's shouts. By half an hour from the start of the game, Steven began booing and cheering himself, minus any fist pumps in the air or screams like the other supporters beside him were doing.

Steven became perplexed at Grace's intent stare.

"You're sitting in Tony's chair." Grace mumbled softly.

Now he understood. "Oh, sorry. I'll move seat." Steven made to stand but Grace's next words stopped him.

"Oh, no, no, no, don't. Tony would be more than glad to allow you the privilege of being the person to sit in his place since he... ' she sighed loudly as she stopped herself from continuing her sentence before continuing on her walk to set one plate on the table before Steven and the other before Angela.