Page 97 of Against The Boards

“Not long,” I said. “Since I had to go home and get shit from Lisa’s.”

Tristan shook his head in disgust. “I need something stronger.”

He handed me back the beer and stalked into the kitchen to pour a line of shots. Benny and I shrugged at each other, not sure where we went from here. Tristan handed Benny a shot. He shook his head, but my twin insisted. “Drink that shit, asshole. Roxie, you’re doing one too.”

I walked into the kitchen and took the shot glass from my brother’s hand. Benny and I shared a look of annoyance, but we all knocked back our shots in unison. The alcohol burned on the way down my throat, but I shook it off. Tristan poured himself another.

“Are you mad because of the code?” I asked.

“I’m more mad you didn’t tell me. You’re my best friend,” he exclaimed. “But, fuck, I don’t want you to date a hockey player.”

“Tristan, you’re a hockey player,” I argued.

He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. “Roxie, you know relationships with us are complicated. We’re on the road all the time; we can get traded—”

I held up my hand. “I know what it’s like. I grew up with it, remember?”

“Roxie, he likes the Bears,” Tristan said like it was the worst thing about Benny. I laughed because it kind of was.

I gave my twin a sad smile. “I know, but what can I do?” I crossed over to my boyfriend and grabbed his face in my hands. “Look at this cute face!”

Tristan groaned, but then he narrowed his eyes at Benny. “Okay, man. You know what has to happen.”

Benny walked over to my brother and held his hands out to his sides. “You want to do it now?”

Tristan stood up to his full height and studied Benny.

“Not the face. She loves this face,” Benny said to my brother.

I didn’t understand what was happening until Tristan clocked Benny hard in the stomach.

“Tristan! What the fuck!” I yelled.

Benny hunched over and tried to catch his breath. When he rose to his full height, he peered down at my brother. “We good?”

“Fuck no! I just had to listen to you fuck my sister!” he snarled.

“Well, too fucking bad because I love your sister, and I don’t give a fuck what you think. And quit this misogynistic ‘code’ bullshit! Rox can make her own choices.”

My brother scrubbed a hand across his face. “Fine. You and me, big guy. We’re getting a drink…or three.”

“Tristan! Please don’t kill my boyfriend! He’s a lightweight,” I begged.

Tristan hung his head. “Shit, this is serious, isn’t it?”

I bit my lip. “Tristan, I love him.”

Tristan closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fuck, Roxie. Seriously?”

“Yes!” I cried and then punched him in the arm.

He rubbed his arm. “Ow, that hurt.”

“That was the point, you douche! Don’t punch my boyfriend again. Got it?”

I walked over to Benny and gave him a quick kiss. “I’m sorry.”

He brushed a loose strand of hair out of my face. “It’s fine. Don’t wait up, okay?”