Page 103 of Against The Boards

Chapter Twenty-Nine

ROXANNE

I walked into the condo after work to find my dad and my boyfriend laughing over dinner. Tristan was nowhere in sight. I looked around the room in confusion and shrugged off my blazer. The conversation seemed civil, so I was suspicious.

“Roxie girl!” my dad called. “Glad you found a partner who can cook.”

I glared. “Why? I’m a superb cook.”

Benny grinned at me. “That’s true. We like cooking together. She’s an excellent cooking partner.”

“Where’s Tristan?” I asked.

Benny cocked his head next door. “He went to hang with Noah for a while since Dinah’s at a work conference.”

I nodded in understanding and went to the stove to make myself a plate. My brother and Noah had the biggest bromance on the Bulldogs. Poor Dinah; she probably got to see my annoying brother all the time.

Benny and my dad had the hockey game on. I took my plate into the living room and sat down next to Benny. I sighed and shared a look with my dad. “Ugh, can’t Boston let someone else try for once?”

Benny smirked. “NOPE! We’re winners, baby!”

I gave him the finger, and he laughed and pulled me to his side. I kissed his temple and smoothed down his hair. “You need a haircut,” I said to him.

He waved me off. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll get to it.”

I glanced over at my dad, and he smiled at me. “What?” I asked.

“You look really happy is all,” he said, and then he looked at Benny. “You better treat her right.”

“He does,” I said.

My dad stared down at Benny. “I mean it.”

“Dad, he’s a saint. I’m the asshole in this relationship.”

I felt Benny’s shoulders shake as he held in his laughter. I cut a glare at him, and he placated me with a kiss on my temple. It wasn’t a lie, though. Even when I thought he hated me, I think it was always me that started it. Maybe he was right in thinking I got off on it.

I ate my dinner while the three of us watched game three of the final series together. Dad and Benny hadn’t waited for me to get home. I stayed a little late at work tonight and told Benny to start dinner without me. I hadn’t expected to find my dad here when I got home.

The game hadn’t started until eight, which meant it was past my bedtime by the time it was supposed to be over. It ended up going into a second overtime, and I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I yawned and leaned into Benny’s chest.

“Why don’t you go to bed?” he suggested.

I closed my eyes but shook my head. “No. Must watch hockey.”

“Come on, you have work in the morning. I’ll tell you the score when I come in.”

“Ugh, fine!” I said. I went to wash my face and do all my nighttime stuff before I crawled into bed. Benny placed the covers over me and kissed me. “Goodnight, angel.”

“Don’t let my dad chirp you too much.”

He smiled. “I think he likes me now. Turns out all I needed to do was feed you Desjardins and you stop hating me. Although, he tried to tell me I should sleep on the couch until we move you in to your apartment.”

“Seriously?” I groaned and rolled my eyes.

He laughed. “Yeah. I told him you were a grown-ass adult who could make her own decisions.”

“Aw, love. It’s so sexy when you stand up to my dad. And to my brother.”