Page 74 of Against The Boards

Fi grinned. “Are you sure about that?”

I changed the subject. “Hey, Dinah, I heard your brother opened his new shop.”

“Oh, yeah.” she held up her wrist where she had a tiny black quill pen inked. It was cute, and it suited the tiny woman. “You looking to get another tattoo?”

“Maybe. I haven’t decided yet. I have three tattoos right now.”

Fi cocked her head. “You have other tattoos?”

I nodded and pulled out my phone to show her the photos of my tattoos. I didn’t even think about it when I handed over my phone. She took my phone and scrolled past to the next photo. “Oh, these are really pretty,” she said. Her finger scrolled again, and then her eyes widened. “Oh! I don’t think you wanted me to see this photo.”

I frowned and wracked my brain for any risque photos I had on my phone that would have caused her shocked reaction. I chewed my bottom lip in concern but saw D’s eyes widen as she looked over Fi’s shoulder.

The tiny woman fixed me with a wicked grin. “I knew it!” she exclaimed. “You’re such a fucking liar!”

Fi grinned too as she handed me back my phone, and that’s when I saw it. The photo of Benny and me kissing in that hotel room in St. Catharines. I was wearing his Bulldogs sweatshirt like I belonged to him. The sweatshirt I never wanted to give back because it smelled like him and made me feel like I was his.

Fuck, I am so busted.

“Woman, explain!” Fi demanded.

“Rox?” Dinah asked with a hint of concern in her voice. “Why did you keep this a secret? We love you and have been waiting for you two to get your heads out of your asses for years.”

“Is it because of your brother? Just talk to him. It’ll be okay,” Fi said.

I shook my head slowly, and then I burst into tears because I couldn’t keep my emotions in check anymore.

“Oh, honey…” Fi cooed, and both women came around to my side of the table and hugged me tightly. Fi stroked my hair. “Honey, tell us what’s wrong.”

“What did he do?” Dinah snapped.

This tiny girl was fierce, and I loved that she immediately assumed Benny did something wrong and needed to die.

“Nothing,” I blubbered and wiped my tears away. “I asked him to keep it a secret.”

“Why?” Dinah asked.

“I can’t have anything serious with him when he’s going to ask for a trade to Boston.”

“Motherfucker, what?” Dinah seethed.

“Why? I thought he liked Philly,” Fi commented, confused.

I nodded. “He does, but he feels guilty being away from his family. I was so wrong about him for so long. That man’s so good and kind, and I’m such a raging bitch.”

Dinah stroked my hair. “Oh, honey, you’re not. You’re fierce, and you don’t take anyone’s shit. That’s why I like you.”

“Why don’t you talk with Benny?” Fi suggested.

I shook my head. “I can’t stand in the way when he wants to be with his family. It can only be a casual thing between us. It’s just sex.”

Dinah grinned. “Sounded like good sex, though. By the way, if you’re trying to have secret sexy times with someone, maybe tell him to not scream your name so loud?”

I laughed. “Shut up. That’s not the point.”

“Also, Noah told me he had the flimsiest excuse for being late for training today.”

I groaned. “When did he even tell you that?”