Page 76 of Against The Boards

“He knew I had a shitty week at work.”

The two exchanged looks. Dinah cleared her throat. “He knew you had a terrible week, so he ignored everyone else to make you feel good?”

“What? That’s not weird, right?”

Fi shook her head. “Not weird...but I don’t think that’s something you do for someone you’re only sleeping with.”

“That’s a boyfriend move,” Dinah agreed.

“Husband move,” Fi corrected.

I put my head in my hands. Now I was even more confused.

Dinah peered at me for a second. “But it explains why you are always so ‘tired’ and keep avoiding us.”

I groaned. “I’m sorry. I’m a shitty friend.”

“Yeah, she’s too tired because Benny is dicking her down too much!” Fi joked.

“Actually…” I trailed off and smirked when they both looked way too interested in what I was about to say. “I think I wear him out.”

Dinah cackled. “Get it, girl!”

I took a sip of my coffee and grinned at her over the rim. “Oh, I do.”

They cackled with laughter. I felt a weight lift from my shoulders now that I’d finally told them what was going on, but I still was unsure where that left me. I loved spending time with Benny, but I knew we had an expiration date, one that was quickly closing in on us. This was all gonna end soon, and then I would be back to square one, trying to start over in a new city with a broken heart.

Chapter Twenty-Two

BENNY

When I got home after training with Riley and Noah, Rox wasn’t home. I figured she was still out with the girls. I had to admit; I was a little disappointed she wasn’t home yet. I kind of wanted another night-in with her cuddled up in my bed. How was I whipped by a chick who wasn’t even my girlfriend? I flopped down on the bed and noticed my sweatshirt was lying on her side of the bed.

Fuck, she had her own side of the bed. Of course she did because she hadn’t slept in TJ’s room since before we went to Canada.

We were practically dating, and I couldn’t stand all this hiding. I was a sensitive guy; I fell in love hard and a lot, but I felt like my heart was already broken because she didn’t want what I wanted.

I wasn’t wallowing in self-pity for long before Riley hit me up again.

RILEY: Bar tonight.

ME: Do I have a choice?

RILEY: Nah.

ME: Eileen’s?

RILEY: You know it.

When I got to Eileen’s, it wasn’t just to meet Riley. He waved me over to a table in the back, where he sat with Noah, Dinah, Fi, and Rox. The only open seat was next to Rox. When our gazes met, something in her eyes didn’t sit right with me. There was a sadness there that I didn’t understand. It pierced my heart because I wanted to take that sadness away from her.

The server came over to take our orders, and I mumbled out my choice.

Dinah and Fi were in a deep conversation about their writing, and Noah and Riley were arguing about a call in the hockey game.

I put a hand on Rox’s thigh and leaned into her ear. “Are you okay?” I asked.

She nodded, but she was lying.