Page 75 of Risky Play

“It wasn’t my choice.”

He pulled his SUV out of the parking lot and drove toward Eileen’s Tavern. “How so?”

“She thinks it’s too soon to tell him. She wants to warm him up to the idea.”

Benny ran a hand through his hair. “Alright. I get that. But it’s better if you tell him sooner rather than later.”

“I don’t disagree. She’s scared of his reaction.”

“I’m in your corner, ya know? I’ve been there. Noah’s not like TJ; he’ll probably handle it better.”

I wasn’t so sure. Not with what Maddie said about how he handled what happened to her last year. I wanted to pound that guy to a pulp if I ever found out who he was. I could only imagine Noah wanted to bury him in his backyard.

“She’s the boss,” I said.

Benny laughed. “Yeah…I got one of those too. Just be careful.”

“I’m working on it.”

He parked his car, and we hopped out. When we entered the bar, he went over to Rox, who was at the bar with her brother doing shots. That was a sign I was in for a world of hurt tonight. I noticed Max next to them, shaking her head at the twins. Maybe Max could reel them in, but I highly doubted it.

I spotted Maddie at the bar with Dinah and Noah. When our eyes met, she gave me a sad smile. I rubbed my chest. I hated that look of disappointment on her face. We wouldn’t have to deal with this bullshit if she told her brother we were dating. Better yet, if she let me sit him down and talk to him one-on-one.

“Hey,” I greeted.

“Hey, nice goals,” Dinah said.

Noah nudged me. “You did good.”

“I don’t know…you could have scored a hat trick,” Maddie teased.

I laughed. “Maybe next time.”

I ordered a beer and rolled my eyes when TJ came over with a bunch of shots. “You’re doing a shot. To our rookie, Cally, for being a straight-up beautician!”

I shook my head at him but downed the shot like everyone else. If anyone thought Max or their babies would tame TJ’s wild ways…they didn’t. Not by a long shot.

“T’s so extra,” Dinah laughed as he sauntered back over to Max with that lopsided grin on his face.

“That’s our TJ,” Noah agreed.

I sipped on my beer and nodded.

Noah bumped his sister’s shoulder. “Hey, stranger.”

“I’ve been busy,” she explained.

“How’s school going?” he asked.

“Good. Like I said, busy. Working for your wife, class, hockey, and —” She clamped her mouth shut and took a sip of her beer.

“And what?” Noah asked. He crossed his arms over his chest and gave her a suspicious look.

She dipped her head down and nervously pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t want to tell you because it’s new.”

I felt my heart in my throat. Was she going to tell him about us?

A scowl formed across Noah’s face and he narrowed his eyes, the action matching his already pissed off stance. “What’s new?”