Page 85 of Game Over

“She does. She was here with me when I got the call from them. You know how your sister is, and she rarely shows much emotion as it is. She said she was fine and that she hardly knew him because he left so early and didn’t try to have a relationship with her.”

“That’s true, she was only two when he left, and all he ever did was make our life a living hell. Well good. Good. I’m glad she’s okay.” I nodded even though she couldn’t see.

“Let me know if you need anything, sweetie. We still on for dinner this week?” I could hear her shuffling around, likely getting dinner ready for them herself.

“Yep, all good still. Oh, and guess what! I got an interview for that big promotion!” I still couldn’t believe I had gotten that email.

“That’s my girl. I knew you could. You’re so smart, Allie, and I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mama, I appreciate it. I love you.”

“I love you too, baby girl. Go enjoy your evening, and I’ll see you later this week.” She sounded so much more tired than usual. A pit started to form in my stomach. I’m sure she was fine, but I always worried about those I cared for.

“You too, and tell that spawn I said love you!”

“Allie Grace, what have I told you about calling your sister a spawn!” She squealed into the phone as I tried to stifle my laugh.

“Bye, Mom, love you!” I hung the phone up, and Spencer was sitting quietly at the bar.

“Everything okay?” he asked tentatively.

“Yeah, it was my mom. She was calling me to tell me that my dad passed.” I blew out a breath, still unsure about how I was feeling, or lack of feelings was more like it.

“Oh shit. Are you okay?” He got up and walked around to me.

“Oddly enough, I am. Does that make me a bad person? A bad daughter? God, something must be wrong with me.” I covered my face in my hands because who didn’t feel bad when someone died?

“Never, Allie. You cut him off for a very good reason. He abused you, and you cut him off. You set your boundaries, and even in passing, he isn’t entitled to your time. Does that make sense?”

“It does, I guess, it’s an odd feeling, ya know?” I wrapped the cardigan I was wearing around myself.

“I get that. Is there anything I can do for you? How about I finish dinner for you?” He gently rubbed his hands along my arms.

“I’m good, I promise. You can finish dinner up if you’d like. ” I sat down at the bar and sent Olivia a quick text to check on her, before checking in with Emma as well. I sat there watching Spencer cook, observing the movement in his broad shoulders and muscled back as he did.

I thought about how he knew all the parts of me that were broken and ugly. The ones I kept locked away from the world, so the image they had was of someone carefully crafted and put together. Not once has he shied away or backed down. He embraced all the parts of me I hated, and he welcomed them with open and loving arms. He saw me for me and decided that I was worth loving, jagged edges and all.

Once dinner was done, Spencer made us both plates, and we cozied up on the couch to play the newest game he got for us and eat. I still wasn’t very good at them, but I had so much fun playing them. He tried to show me how to play his more intense games, but those aren’t for me. I like the more cozy games. We still managed to play for hours, sometimes getting lost in the games and his patience in teaching me.

Spencer’s phone chimed with an incoming text from Carson asking to play. I shooed him off, wanting to crack open a book because I hadn’t had the time recently. Grabbing one of the new books Spencer got me, I settled into the couch to immerse myself in the story. Dolly was cuddled up next to me, there was a pumpkin-and-vanilla candle lit on the table, and the windows were cracked, letting the night breeze in. It was a peaceful moment that I nestled into like a warm blanket, letting the silence fall around me and ground me.

I knew this week would be busy with interview prep and then dinner with my family. I also wanted to get the fall decorations down and start putting up the Christmas ones. So what if it was the first week of November? Let a girl be holly and jolly while also enjoying her Thanksgiving food too. Sue me.

Since Spencer and I were living together, I wanted to broach the subject of us potentially hosting Thanksgiving as well. It would only be my mom, sister, and Emma, since she didn’t talk to her parents any longer. Thinking about it made me realize that we all have some kind of fucked up childhood trauma. It’s like we just attracted one another.

“Shh, it’s okay, baby girl, I got you. Let's get you into bed.” A hazy voice filtered into my thoughts.

I must have dozed off as strong arms wrapped tighter around me, holding me close to his chest as I stirred. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated the room as he walked over to my side of the bed. Lying me down, he made sure to pull the covers over me and placed a lingering kiss on my forehead. “Get some rest, sweetheart. I love you.”

CHAPTER 39

Lady Luck

Finding Allie all curled up on the couch with her book discarded on the floor, where I’m assuming it fell when she dozed off, made part of me melt. She looked so peaceful, and I didn’t want to wake her.

Making sure all the candles were blown out and doors were locked, I crept back to the bedroom, carefully climbing into bed with her to not wake her. Slowly, over the last month, the house started to look more blended. It would always be filled with her touches since this was hers, but she did everything to include my things and asked my opinion. Her bed, which always smelled of her coconut scent, had transformed into smelling like us. A tangle of sweetness and outdoors. Of long summer evenings transforming into early fall mornings.

Gently pulling her into me, her soft curves molding beneath my hands and against my body. Every inch of her was soft and pliable; no matter where I wandered, I would be able to find purchase to hold her. Her body was truly statuesque. It was as if the universe made her specifically for me.