Page 36 of Game Over

“It was really good, actually. Em hit a new squat personal record at 220 pounds!” Allie was beaming with pride for her friend.

“That’s amazing, Emma, congrats.” I stuck my fist out to Emma’s in a celebratory fist bump.

“Thanks, I’ve been working toward it for a bit now, so I’m proud of myself,” she said, beaming at us and bumping her fist against mine.

Carson cleared his throat and stepped up, “That is impressive, Emma. Congratulations on the new PR.”

Emma stared at him like he had two heads before Allie poked her finger into her side. “Oh, um, thank you, Carson, that was nice of you.” She turned and faced Allie. “So what are your plans for the rest of the night? Maybe we could have a girls’ night?”

“I dunno, actually, we hadn’t planned much, but that sounds like fun to me. We can see if Rachel is free and if she wants to come over, if you want. Spence, you ok with that? You can still come grab your stuff from my house if needed.” She pulled her phone out and shot off a quick message to what I assumed was their group chat cause a second later Emma’s phone dinged.

“Sure, I think Carson and Jacob wanted to play tonight anyway.”

“Yeah, I’ve had a shit fucking day, so it would be nice to game and chill,” Carson said as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m gonna go ahead and head out. I’ll talk to you once you’re on.”

“Yeah, dude, I’ll see you later, be safe driving home.” We did the typical dude bro hug, and he headed out to his car.

“Emma, you still have your own section of the closet, so if you want to come over, you can.”

“Yes, the more the merrier. I’ll send a message in the group chat and ask her if pizza sounds good for tonight. I’ll see you two shortly!” She turned and walked out to her car, stopping to watch as Carson drove away.

“Yeah, something is up with those two. I couldn’t get anything out of Carson, though. Actually, we had a little yelling match about it, and that’s how I told him we were officially dating.” I was kicking myself for acting like a grade-A asshole. I’d have to apologize to him later because he deserved better than that.

“Oof, that’s rough. I still need to tell Emma, but she’s a smart girl. I’m sure she pieced it together, but yeah, me either with her. It’s eating me up not knowing, but oh well. They’re adults, if they want to talk about it with us, they will, or they’ll hate fuck each other.”

“Okay, well, I didn’t need that image, but thank you for that. Come on, let's get back.” We loaded up into her SUV, and I shuffled some music for us as she cracked the windows. Malibu by Mac Miller started to drift through the car. The drive back to her house passed by too quickly. “Is it weird I already miss you?” I said as I was loading stuff into my bag.

She walked up behind me and laid her face against my shoulders and wrapped her arms around me. “If it is, then I’m crazy too, because I’m already missing you.”

I turned so I could see her and gently grabbed her chin to kiss her.

“Maybe tomorrow, after I’m off, I can come over to your place? You can show me how you play!” God, she was adorable. It was also nice having someone who cared about my interests, too, and seemed genuinely interested in learning about them.

“Sure, that sounds great, sweetheart. I can make us dinner too.”

“Are you working from home? Should I wait a little before I head over?”

“Nah, I’ll be home, and bring our sweet Dolly girl, too. We don’t want her to be lonely.” Her face broke out in a sweet and gentle smile.

“Our Dolly?” Shit.

“I-I just meant—” Shit, what did I mean?

“It’s okay, Spencer, yes, I’ll bring her too. Oh, before I forget! I don’t know if y'all got the email or not, but the company is throwing a formal gathering the first weekend in October. I figured maybe we could go if you wanted.”

Thankful for the subject change so I wouldn’t embarrass myself anymore, I sat back on the bed and pulled her between my legs. “I’d love that. I could show you off as my girlfriend.”

“Yeah, you could, I’ll be gorgeous.” God, I loved when she let this confidence out. She was beautiful inside and out, and I wish she’d stop acting like she wasn’t. I knew she had days where she still struggled with how she saw herself, although they had gotten better, it still happened. One day, though, she’d see herself the way I saw her.

“Do you need to go shopping for it or anything?”

“I actually do. I need a full new outfit. Maybe we could go next weekend if you aren’t busy?”

“Sounds perfect, sweetheart. Well, let me go ahead and head out so your girls’ night can begin.” Pulling her in again, I kissed her slowly, savoring every swipe of my tongue against her. She kissed me back like she couldn’t get enough of me. Like I was the oxygen her lungs craved. Allie broke away first, her lips puffy and slightly red from our bruising kiss.

“Text me when you’re home, okay?”

“I will, sweetheart. Have fun tonight.”