Page 22 of Game Over

“I know you could have, but you spent so much time cooking dinner for us, for me, the least I could do was help you finish cleaning up. Come here,” he held his hand out for me and pulled me onto his lap. He took my water bottle and set it next to him on the table, and then brushed the hair from my eyes. “God, you're gorgeous. Look at you.”

“Thank you.” My face was on fire again because of him. I wasn’t used to someone complimenting me so freely like he did.

“I hope we get to see each other sometime this week. I know you said it’ll be busy for you, so I understand that there are other priorities, but I’m already missing you.”

“Me too, I’m hoping maybe I can find time. Hey, you could always come to one of my sister's plays and meet the family for the next date.” I laughed, but then froze because why on earth would he want to meet them so quickly? We’ve only officially been out on one date. Were we even officially dating and together? “That was… that was a joke. I'm sorry to be awkward. Sometimes my mouth says things before my brain approves them.”

“I’d like that, as long as you’re comfortable with it.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal that he agreed to meet my family.

“Are you sure? I know this is still new and all. Whatever this is.” I waved my hand, gesturing between us.

“I promise I’m sure, Allie.” He chuckled and kissed my forehead. “Like I said, as long as you want me to. And as far as this goes…” He mimicked my earlier hand movement. “It can be whatever you need or want it to be. Your main concern was this interfering with work, which is perfectly understandable.”

“You don’t think I’m being overdramatic with wanting to check the rules before I move forward?” I hesitantly asked, twisting my fingers together. Most men won’t wait around for a girl if she isn’t giving them what they want, and truth be told, I was worried he’d be the same.

Spencer grabbed my hands and rubbed soothing circles on the backs of them. “No, I don’t. I think you care a lot about your career and you want to make sure you don’t jeopardize it. I can respect that, and I’ll wait for however long you need me to. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” He booped the tip of my nose and laughed.

“Ok then, well I’ll have to message my mom and double check the schedule and all, but I’ll let you know the best date.”

“That sounds good to me, sweetheart.”

Everything was starting so smoothly that at this point, I’m waiting for some kind of red flag to pop up from him. Did he secretly smack his lips when he ate, or maybe he slurped his drink when he finished in that really loudly obnoxious way? What if he didn’t like pineapple on pizza like I did? Okay, maybe I could overlook the pineapple-on-pizza one, but there had to be something.

Well, I guess tomorrow I’d be texting my mom to make sure she was okay with him coming, and then I’d hope and pray that my mom and sister were on their best behavior.

CHAPTER 11

Stained Glass

We moved back into the living room, the two tall lamps casting a hazy glow around the space, making it feel cozy. I sank down into the plush couch and pulled her on top of me, her legs planted on each side of me. As she settled herself, I took in more of her space. Her walls were a deep green with lots of natural wooden shelves, dotted with small plants and books. An occasional picture frame balanced as well. The large windows had long sheer curtains that made the space feel more open but still provided coverage. It was welcoming and cozy—so very Allie.

“So tell me a little bit about your mom and sister. What are they like?” I asked Allie while she lay against me. I was two seconds away from taking her against that counter earlier, but I knew I needed to slow down. Allie needed to know I was in this for her, not just what I could get from her. She wasn’t another conquest, not another notch in the bedpost. No, she was much more. That I was certain of.

I could feel her laugh against me before she answered, “Lord help

where to start. I guess with my mom, Donna, she’s been a nurse for over twenty years now, and still going strong. Single mom of two for the last nineteen years, and she’s done all she can for us growing up, while working too. She loves all kinds of music and singing. It’s where my love of it comes from. I think her favorite is 90s country or 80s rock, though. She’s also a very stubborn woman who always has to be right.” She paused and rolled her eyes, and a smirk danced across her lips as she tapped her finger against them as she thought of what to say next.

“Then you have my sister, Olivia, who just turned seventeen, so we have all those lovely teenage hormones that drive everyone around them insane and low-key fear for their life. She’s incredibly sassy, but so talented. She’s very active in theater, has been all growing up, and she also volunteers with her old elementary and middle school when she can to help them with their productions.” Allie smiled to herself, reminiscing on the past with her sister.

“It’s crazy to me because it used to be the other way around. I was the one in production and volunteering at her school when she was little. Now she’s graduating this year. I think she could make it far too, and I’m not only saying that since I’m her sister. She’s so talented and so dedicated. I want her to have the options and life I wasn’t able to. She has a chance to chase her dreams that I didn’t, and I don’t want to see anything holding her back.”

I could see the hint of sadness in her eyes from missing out on her own dreams, but it was so overpowered by the love of her sister and mom that I couldn’t help but admire her even more.

“You care a lot about her, don’t you?” Reaching up, I twirled a piece of hair around my finger as she gathered her thoughts. A smile played on her full lips as she did.

“I do, I had a rough childhood growing up, and I didn’t want that

for her. I know she’s only my sister, but I can’t help it.”

“Do you mind me asking what happened?” She’d mentioned her father

wasn’t around, and it had been just her, Olivia, and Donna for a long time, but I couldn’t help but wonder why exactly.

“It’s kind of a lot, and I don’t want to send you running for the hills.” She worried her bottom lip between her teeth, and I could feel her body tense.

“I promise I won’t run for any hills, mountains, or rivers.” I made an X over my heart to show how serious I was. You could see her moving the pieces of her life around in her head, trying to figure out where to start, what to share. Nothing she could say scared me off. I saw the moment she landed on her starting point, I could see the walls fortify behind her eyes.

“Remember how I told you my dad left and how we were better off without him?” She was still biting her bottom lip, so I reached up and popped it free before she hurt it.