Sometimes Phoenix and I meet for a late lunch and other days I come home just in time to put Faith to bed and read her a story. This fight was so important to me before, and it still kind of is, but I miss spending more time with my girls.
The lights are off when I get home and I wince. I hate these nights the most because it feels like I’m letting Faith down. I sneak up the stairs and into her room, but she’s fast asleep, so I just kiss her on the forehead and leave the chocolate bar that I snagged for her at the corner market on my run this morning before I sneak back out.
Phoenix’s door is closed partway and I know that I’ll be going in there after I grab a shower. I desperately need one after my training session today. It was my last one before the big fight. I’ll be home tomorrow and the day after to rest and I’m looking forward to spending some time alone with Phoenix and seeing Faith more.
I strip and take the fastest shower ever so that I can get to bed myself. I’m exhausted from all of the extra time in the gym and another night cuddled up next to Phoenix is just what I need.
I tiptoe across the hall and into Phoenix’s room and I can’t help but smile when she rolls over and pulls the covers back for me to slip in.
“How was training?” she mumbles sleepily.
“Good. Long.”
“Uh-huh,” she grumbles and I laugh.
“How was your day?”
“Sleep now. Talk tomorrow,” she says as she slides a finger over my mouth.
I kiss the digit and pull her closer against me. Phoenix and I have been sleeping together every night since the first time that we had sex and I always sneak back to my room before Faith wakes up and catches us. That last part is the only downside to this arrangement.
I love sleeping with Phoenix. I never thought that I would love sleeping with someone else but with her I do.
I’m too tired to make love to her tonight and I’ve learned over the last few weeks that she hates to be woken up for anything, though usually she doesn’t mind after I’ve made her come a few times.
I wrap my arm around her waist and she sighs as she rests her head on my chest. This is how we usually sleep and even though I swear we don’t move, somehow, I always wake up with half of her hair in my face.
I’ve never been happier.
Faith still doesn’t know about the two of us but I know that we need to tell her soon. I like to think that she’ll be happy about it, but I have my doubts. I know that she’s so attached to Phoenix and would be devastated if she quit or left us.
To be honest, so would I.
I’m in love with Phoenix. I’ve known that I am for a while now but I haven’t found the right time to tell her. I think that Faith should know about us first. Then I thought about doing it after my fight when I have more free time, but what if I lose? I want it to be a special moment so that I can show her just how important she is to me.
Finding that perfect time has been proving harder than I thought it would.
I stare at the ceiling as I listen to Phoenix’s even breathing. I want to wake up to her and not have to sneak across the hall to my room. I want her to move into the master room with me. I want us to be public and be a real couple.
I just want Phoenix.
I make a promise to myself then that I’ll tell Faith about us after the fight. Then once I know that she’s okay with us being together, I’m going to tell Phoenix that I love her and that I want her forever.
She can be Faith’s step-guardian. We’re already raising her together.
I know that Niall and Finn will be happy and I’m sure that Sylvie will love to have her friend staying in the same city as her.
I smile as my eyes drift shut and suddenly, I can’t wait for Saturday night. I’m going to win my fight, and then I’m going to make to win the girl of my dreams.
TWELVE
Phoenix
My heart is racingas I hold Faith’s hand and follow after Jameson down the hallway and to the locker room. It’s not even my fight, so I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I just know that I don’t want to see him get hurt and the thought of it has me acting clingy.
I shouldn’t be doing that. Faith still doesn’t know about us and I don’t think that Jameson wants her to. Not right now anyway.
I get the feeling that he’s still trying to figure out what this is between us, but I’ve known for weeks. I’m in love with him. I know that I didn’t set out to find a home here, but being with him and Faith is where I belong.