She was right even though I hadn’t wanted to admit it. I didn’t want to care what those guys thought, but I did. They were not only my friends, but they were also my family.
I could’ve said so many things in response, but the one I settled on was “Fine.” She stared at me for a moment, a tilt of her lips doing the trick to finally calm me down. “I’m glad they’re not ignoring you anymore too.”
“Oh, it was just Trevor. Lance and Elton didn’t have a problem with me.”
“Don’t push it,” I said, grabbing her waist and pulling her close.
She ignored my comment and grabbed a piece of the silver sauna suit. “How is it that you can pull off this look? So not fair.”
“Even with how sweaty I am?” I asked, beads of perspiration dripping down my temples.
“It kind of reminds me of when you exert yourself during…. Maybe I shouldn’t talk about that right now, since you’re training. I don’t want to distract you.”
“Please distract me. This sucks.”
“Get through the rest of today without biting anyone’s head off, and I’ll reward you later.” The temptation in her voice intrigued me, and I’d be a fool not to agree.
I was going to ask her to tell me in detail what my reward would be, but Trevor walked in. “You ready for another stint?” he asked, pointing at the sauna. Before I could answer, he turned toward Sophie. “How did you get him to smile?”
“Magic,” she answered right before she winked at me and headed toward the door.
Trevor sidled up next to me and patted me on the back, the rustle of the suit echoing between us. “I never thought I’d say this, but I think she’s good for you.”
“Me too.”
He said something else, but I was too busy watching her walk away, counting down the hours before I could collect on her promise.
41
“I can’t believe you waited until now to tell me you’re sleeping with him,” Abby said. “Dad told me you guys were involved, but I thought maybe he got it mixed up. You know how he is. He only gives half the story.” She curled her leg beneath herself and settled into the couch. “How long has this been going on?”
“A couple months.”
“A couple months?” she shouted. “What the hell, Sophie?”
“I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy with work, and then Jackson and I—”
“—are doing it, I get it. But you still should’ve told me.” She faux pouted. “I’m happy for you, but I’m so jealous.”
“Why are you jealous? Do you have a thing for Jackson?” The green-eyed monster lurking deep down rose from its slumber.
“For Jackson? No. I mean, the man is unbelievable, but I meant I’m jealous that you have someone and I don’t.”
“You have plenty of time. You’re still young. Don’t rush it.”
“Says the woman who’s involved with a gorgeous specimen of a man.”
“I see your point.” I chuckled. “Oh, and,” I said, leaning closer as if she couldn’t already hear me, “we said ‘I love you,’and he said he wants kids someday.” Simply saying the words aloud made my heart swell with hope for the future.
I didn’t think her eyes could get any bigger than they were right now. “You hit the jackpot.” She paused a moment before asking, “Does he know about—”
“Yeah, I told him about the miscarriage. I also told him about some of what I dealt with during my marriage.”
“I still can’t believe everything that happened. Has he tried to contact you since you broke his arm?” I appreciated that she didn’t say his name and that she detailed the attack by what I did to him and not what he tried to do to me. “I can’t believe they let him out on bail. That bastard should rot in jail,” she added before I had a chance to answer her question.
I pointed toward her glass of wine. “Do you want another? Because I do.” I needed liquid courage if I was going to discuss my ex.
“Yes, thank you.”
