Page 52 of One More Round

Link takes a seat in one of the other chairs and twists it from left to right with a half-annoyed, half-amused expression on his face.

“Good thing we got that out of the way then. Are the ladies coming over before we go MIA for seven days?” he asks.

“Yeah, but you know, we won't really be MIA. I’m planning on seeing Morgan during every break I have,” Dex tells us.

Straightening her back, Bernie puts on her mom face, pointing to each of us as she says, “Uh, that’s fine, but just so we are clear, NO one is allowed to leave this apartment building once we go live.”

In near unison, the three of us reply with a “Yes, Mom,” which makes us all snicker. But Bernie just rolls her eyes and mutters under her breath. Then, just as she remembers something, an evil grin slides across her face.

“Ruby won’t be coming over today though. She’s going on a date.”

Knowing that Dex is probably doing the same thing, my eyes swing to Link to check his reaction. Sure enough, his jaw tightens.

“Oh, yeah, with who? That weatherman?” Seeming satisfied with the reaction, Bernie looks at her nails.

“Not a weatherman, he’s a sports reporter. He’s super hot and seems to be really into her.”

“Wait, how do you know? Have you met him? You’ve seen them together?” he asks.

I glance Dex’s way. He’s trying not to laugh.

“Nope, unfortunately I haven’t but she can’t stop going on and on about him. She says he’sjust so dreamy,” she uses air quotes.

He’s quiet for a moment, as if in thought, then gives a short, almost missed nod. “Cool. Whatever makes her happy.” After a second to soak in what he just said, he’s right back to his usual self.

“Let me just rewind a moment here, Dex, are you planning on keeping Morgan locked up in your bedroom for booty calls every break you get?” he asks.

“Uh, no, but she knows the schedule and will be around for most of my breaks. If not, there’s FaceTime,” Dex replies.

“So … it’s the other way around? She has your balls locked up?” Link laughs as Dex throws a couch pillow at him.

“Shut up, dude.”

“I’d just like to remind you that I’m sitting right here and point out that since I’m good friends with Morgan, I’d prefer not to talk about Dex’s balls,” Bernie deadpans.

I jump in, “I’m pretty sure it’s not a booty call if it's with your girlfriend.”

“Speaking of girlfriend,” Link says, lifting an eyebrow at me.

“Oooh, now this I don’t mind gossiping about,” Bernie says, leaning in toward me.

“We do not gossip,” Dex tells her.

“Pfft. We do too,” Link replies.

I roll my eyes. I was expecting this. We’ve talked about my relationship with Gia once, that day we came home from seeing her brother. Even so, the conversation wasn’t as in-depth as the one Gia had with Morgan and Ruby. Link wasted no time asking me if we screwed. I told him to shut up but the confident, cocky look on my face said enough. But mentally, I’ve prepared for this.

With a huff, I make myself comfortable on the couch. “Go on.”

“So, are you two official? Good ol’ boyfriend and girlfriend?” Link asks, his elbows resting on his knees as he leans in toward me.

“Yup. Next.”

“It’s been like two weeks. Why haven’t we seen her over here yet?” he fires off.

“No reason, I’ve just gone over there,” I offer just as quickly.

“How’s the sex?” he asks.

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