Page 115 of Against The Boards

“Knew it! Yes! I won the pool!”

“You are all a bunch of jerks.”

Liliana cackled in my ear. “When do I finally get to meet the famous Roxanne Desjardins?”

I sighed. “I’m not trying to drive her away.”

“Hush, you love us, and so will she. Abuelo will be so happy.”

“You all need to mind ya business.”

“You are our business, baby brother. She didn’t toss you on your ass when she found out you were trying to leave her?”

I groaned. “She tried, but I made her listen to me, and we worked through it. I don’t want to lose her.”

“Holy shit, that’s so mature. I think you’re in a real, healthy, adult relationship now. You love this woman, don’t you?”

“Yeah, Lil, I really do.”

She made a cooing ‘aw’ sound. “So what are you gonna do?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted and fingered a loose thread on my comforter. “Probably call Steve, see if there is anything we need to do, but if they trade me, there’s nothing I can do. Rox and I talked about it this morning.”

“But you’re good, right?”

“Definitely,” I said, and I beamed with happiness.

“Then why are you calling me?”

I laughed. “So you would stop freaking out over text messages. I’ve been training with Riley all afternoon.”

“I’m happy for you,” Liliana told me, and her voice got soft like she was getting all emotional. Cool, more tears from the women I loved today. “You sound really happy, and I hope you and Roxanne make this work.”

“Aw, Liliana! Are you crying?” I asked.

“SHUT UP!” she screeched at me.

“Love ya, sis.”

“Love you too, ass wipe.” My sister cackled on the other end. “I should warn you, though. Abuelo’s mad that you wanted to ruin your career in Philly for him.”

I sighed.

My sister sighed on her end too. “I know you want to take care of them. Since Mom and Dad are the way they are, our grandparents are important to you. They’re important to me too.”

“I want them to be proud of me. I want to make sure they’re taken care of.”

“They’re proud of you. You’re a good man, and that’s because of Abuelo. He taught you that.”

“I want to be worthy of them. They’re the best people I know. Supported me when I needed it and you when you came out.”

“They’re so proud of you. I’m proud of you, too. Don’t forget that.”

I talked with my sister for a bit longer. She filled me in on what the kids were up to, and then eventually, she handed the phone off to my grandparents separately so they could get mad at me for asking for a trade.

“You figure things out with your woman?” Abuelo asked.

“Yeah, I did,” I admitted.