7 Months (Time for Love 8)

“My brothers and I play with a group of guys, at least once a month. We’ve got a game coming up this weekend, if you want in.”

“Yeah, that sounds good. What’s the buy in?”

“Fifty bucks and a six pack.”

“Sounds good.”

“Cool, I’ll give you the details later. Have a good one.”

“Night, Irish.”

I packed up my stuff and started for the door, then looked over when I heard sniffling coming from Marsha’s desk.

I walked over and asked, “Is everything okay?”

She turned her head away from me, trying to hide the fact that her eyes had welled up with tears.

I put my hand on her shoulder and prodded, “Marsha?”

“There’s something in my eye,” she replied, then waved her hand and said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I don’t want to leave if you’re upset,” I said gently.

She rendered me speechless when she turned and said, “That boy’s been waiting for you to open up and be his partner in every sense of the word. I’m just glad to see you’re finally doing it.”

Confused, I wondered what she meant.

Marsha must have read my face because she added, “A true partner. A brother in arms. Someone who has his back on and off the streets. He’s out here all alone. No family or friends. Doobie’s been hoping you’d eventually open up and be his partner, his friend … I have to say, I was starting to worry that you didn’t have it in you to be that for him.” She brought her hand up and rested it gently on my cheek. “I’m glad I was wrong.”

Now I was the one who needed to hide my eyes, so I patted Marsha’s hand, said goodnight, and went home to try and process everything that had happened that day.

Chapter Fourteen ~ Ming

Emergency*** Girl’s Night. My place.

That was the text I sent Bronagh and Cass on Friday afternoon. Yes, it was short notice, and yes, they had husbands and lives outside of me, but I knew they’d come through for me. It’s what we did.

I’ll bring snacks and wine. Cass replied almost immediately.

I’ve got Melissa McCarthy and Sparking Grape. L Bronagh added not long after.

Relieved to have a night with my girls, a night where I’d decided to finally come clean about Brady, I could get everything off my chest and get their opinions on the matter.

Cass arrived first, already in her pajamas, waving two bottles of wine, Doritos, and a bag of snack-sized Snickers at me.

“I hope nothing’s wrong,” she said as she breezed past me into the loft to put down her goodies. “But, damn, I was sure spoiling for a girl’s night!”

Before I could respond, there was another knock at the door signaling Bronagh’s arrival.

As soon as I opened the door, I could tell by the look on her face that she knew … and she wasn’t happy about the fact that she’d heard it from someone other than me.

“You know,” I said softly, taking the movies from her hand. “How?”

“Brendan told me last night,” she replied haughtily.

“Brendan … Does that mean Brady’s been talking…” I muttered as I shut the door.

I was surprised that he was talking about it, after we’d agreed not to. I mean, sure, I was about to do the same thing, but this was Brady … I hadn’t expected him to feel the need to share.