Page 40 of Knight

To replace those I’ve ruined, and those I plan to ruin in the future. I look forward to punishing you again.

Happily,

Your Satisfied Boss

I smile. He’s adorable. I grab my cell to text him.

Me: Well played, Knight.

Jackson: I can’t wait to see you in them, and then rip them off of you.

I shake my head and go to put my cell away, when it pings with another text.

Jackson: Don’t wear them tonight.

Ouch. I could tell in his office that he wasn’t entirely thrilled about my plans for this evening, but this text is definitely pretty clear in that regard. Spending time with Scott’s friends is important to me. If Jackson wants to spend time with me, he’s simply going to have to accept it.

I should probably tell the boys about Jackson. I don’t know how they’ll take it. They all see me as Scott’s wife.

I arrive at Alan’s house about three minutes before kickoff. I see Drew, Nelson, and Paul’s cars already in the driveway. They all graduated high school with Scott.

It’s a weird thing about people from Philadelphia. They never live more than a few miles from where they grew up. Growing up in Washington DC, which by nature is a more transient town, people just aren’t like that. My high school friends live all over the country. One even lives overseas. What can I say? People from Philadelphia are like a cult. They all get mad when I say that, but it’s true.

Alan hugs me hello. “You’re cutting it close, Dare.”

“Sorry, I’m here. I got tied up. Where’s my beer?” Alan hands me my favorite beer, while Paul and Drew hug me hello as well. “Where’s Nelson? I saw his car. I know he’s here.”

Drew laughs. “The she-devil called.” That’s our name for his ex-wife. We never call her by her actual name anymore. “He’s in the other room dealing with more of her bullshit.”

Poor Nelson. He got divorced seven years ago and he’s still dealing with nonsense from her. I feel bad for their kids. They’re the real victims of this. I never really got along with her. She used to accuse me of having a thing for Nelson, and Nelson for me. She would lose her shit every time I spoke to him. She’s insane. I’ve never had anything but brotherly affection for Nelson, and I know he feels similarly toward me.

Up until I met Jackson a few weeks ago, I can honestly say I’ve never had any remote feelings for another man besides my husband since the day he asked me out. Scott always said that she is just jealous because men find me attractive and they don’t find her attractive, but I don’t know. It always bothered me. It’s kind of insulting to be accused of that.

Yes, I’m a guy’s girl and always have been. I’ve always had guys as friends. But, while I hang with guys, I’m not a flirt by any stretch of the imagination. Things were always weird with her. I wasn’t exactly devastated or surprised when they announced that they were separating, and eventually divorcing.

The game starts and we’re all cheering except for Nelson, who is still missing. At some point during the first quarter, he comes back into the living room. “Sorry guys. The she-devil is at it again.” We all look at him with sympathy. “Hey, Dare. I didn’t see you before. Good to see you, gorgeous.”

I give him a hug. “Hey, Nelson. Good to see you too. Sorry you’re dealing with this shit.”

“Me too.”

We do our normal thing for the first half. Cheering, playing a few drinking games, talking fantasy football smack. They’ve all resigned themselves to the fact that I win our fantasy football league every year. Halftime approaches, and I know this is our only time for any real talk.

“Hey guys. Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Alan looks at me. “Of course, Dare. Is everything okay with you and the girls?”

“Yes, we’re fine. Honestly, for the first time in three years, I’m starting toactuallyfeel fine. Um... I... um... well, I sort of started seeing someone.” You could hear a pin drop for what feels like an eternity, as four stunned faces stare at me. They must be upset thinking that I’ve moved on from Scott.

I start to feel the need to speak, since no one else is. “I mean, it hasn’t been that long, and we haven’t fully defined our relationship, but we’re definitely together. He’s a really nice guy.” I’m rambling in an attempt to avoid silence.

Drew stands up and comes over to hug me. He gives me a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Dare, I think that’s great. I really do. You know we all want to see you happy. Are you happy?”

I nod. “It’s the closest I’ve been to happy in three years.”

“Well then, fantastic. I’m happy for you.”

Paul grabs my hand. “Dare, you’re obviously a stunning woman. It was only a matter of time before you started dating. I’m sure there are men lining up at your door. Is it a little weird for us to think of you with someone that isn’t Scott? Of course. You were Darian and Scott for twenty-five years. But Scott isn’t here, and you deserve to live your life. You really haven’t been doing that.”

---