Of course, I remember my promise to him about back massages to reward each interception, and while I haven’t gotten the green light yet from my doctor to have sex, that doesn’t mean I can’t help Billy find his o-zone.
Excited to see him after such a big game, I make him enchiladas while I research that bronco art installation my professor is so excited about.
But by eleven o’clock, when Billy’s still not home, I start to get worried. They’re flying in from Iowa, and sometimes their flights get delayed.
I break out my phone to send him another message.Hey. When will you be back?
Hanging out with the guys. That okay? I was gonna head home, but we just got burgers, and I’m famished. Want one?
I press my finger to my eye. It’s twitching.
I didn’t think I had to tell my boyfriend I wanted to spend time with him after the game, but I suppose I should have.
Doesn’t make me any less annoyed, though.
I reply,Nope. Enjoy.
And then I toss the enchiladas in the fridge and go to bed.
45
BILLY
It isn’tuntil someone cannonballs naked into the pool that I realize how late it’s gotten.
I only stopped by the Stallion Station to grab a celebratory beer with Cam and Nick after the game. Nick has been having trouble finding a babysitter and wanted to take advantage of the fact that he had one tonight.
He’s kind of a standoffish guy at first, so I wanted to make sure he felt welcomed. He had a decent first game. Not quite the explosive start I thought he’d have, but he did better than Ezra, and we won, so that’s all that matters.
“What time is it?” I yell to Cam over the music. My phone died a few hours ago.
He looks at his watch. “Almost two.”
I wince. “I’d better get going.”
“Roxy gonna be pissed you’re out so late?”
My guess is yes, but that’s my business. “She’s probably asleep. Still, I want to get home in case she needs help with Marley.”
The apartment is dark when I get home. I try to be quiet. Accidentally waking the baby is the worst feeling in the world.
When I get to our bedroom, there’s a side lamp on. Rox and the baby are asleep, which is a relief. Maybe she won’t realize it’s so late. Not that I was doing anything I shouldn’t. Just… I’m new to navigating my social life while having a girlfriend, and I really don’t know if how I handled tonight is cool. I’ll ask her in the morning.
I strip out of my clothes and pull on some track pants before I slide into bed. Rox is curled up on the far side, next to the bassinet. Inching over, I wrap my arm around her to pull her to my chest when she goes stiff.
“You smell like stale beer and cigarettes.”
“Sorry. I know it’s late,” I whisper. She doesn’t respond, which is probably a bad sign, right? “Are you mad?”
“That you didn’t come home until after two, that you smell like you’ve been partying, or that you’d rather hang out with your bros than with me after a big win?”
Oh-kay. I blow out a breath and flop back. “Rox, come on. I haven’t hung out with my friends after a gameat allthis semester.” Really, I haven’t seen much of them since Roxy and I started dating, but I don’t want to make her feel bad.
“It’s only the third game.”
“And I came straight home after the first two. I didn’t think having a few beers tonight would be a big deal. Sorry if I upset you.”
“I’m not upset. I’m realigning my expectations.”
