Page 77 of Game Over

“You can’t always win this way; it isn't fair.” She folded her arms across her chest and stuck her bottom lip out in a pout.

“Um, isn't that what you do when you flash me mid argument?” She scoffed.

“That’s totally different.” Her shit-eating grin said otherwise.

“Mhm, whatever you say, sweetheart. Now come here.” I pushed her against the wall and pressed my lips to hers, devouring her, touching anywhere I could get my hands. It was like I could never get enough of her. We broke apart, our chests heaving, her lips swollen from our kiss. “I’ve wanted to do that all night.” Nipping her bottom lip again, I ran my hands along her sides and hips, savoring every touch of her curves. “This fucking body.” She wrapped her hands around my neck, and I hiked her leg up, kissing her deeply.

“I could say the same thing. Especially with that thigh tattoo of yours. I’m petitioning now for you to get more. Ya know what? Go ahead and just be covered in them.”

“Oh yeah? I should get covered head to toe?” I nipped at her bottom lip.

“Yes, I do. Well, as long as you want them, of course, but I won’t be opposed.” She placed a gentle kiss on each cheek and then stepped away so she could wash. “Now be good and calm down. I’m not going to have you acting like a harlot while my sister from another mister is only a room away.”

Laughing, I pulled us back under the water to wash off the soap. After finishing and getting dressed, we both climbed into bed, wrapping ourselves up in each other, and lay there whispering to one another, and laughing like we were at a sleepover. Every night, falling asleep next to her felt like a sleepover with my best friend.

I woke early the next morning to Allie having her body draped almost all over me, somehow managing to have the covers completely wrapped around her, and leaving me a small corner. Luckily, I got hot during the night, but the way this woman slept was insane. Between her and Dolly lying on her back stretched out between our feet, it was a wonder I didn’t have a permanent back cramp. Even with these little things, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I gently moved Allie off of me and pulled on my sweatpants, and quietly headed to the kitchen so I could make coffee and breakfast for us.

I pulled out all the ingredients I needed to make a full country breakfast, complete with eggs, biscuits, bacon, gravy, and I also popped some cinnamon rolls in the oven as well. Finishing up with the last few pieces of bacon, I grabbed an oven mitt and checked on the biscuits before I started making coffee. Soft footfalls could be heard coming down the hallway, and then warm arms wrapped around me. Allie nuzzled her face into my back and let out a groan.

“Good morning, pretty girl. How’d you sleep?” Turning, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer. Her hair was sticking up in all directions, and the sleep still clung to her eyes.

“Good. Still so tired. How long have you been up?” A yawn broke free, and she smushed her face into my chest to stifle it.

I huffed a laugh and kissed the top of her head. “Not too long. I’m finishing up breakfast. Coffee?”

“Mhm, please. In an IV if possible.” Allie mumbled around another yawn.

I let out a low laugh because, knowing her, if it was safe, she would get caffeine via IV drip if possible. “Think Emma would want some?”

“Emma want what?”

“Jesus, where did you come from! I’m getting you a bell.” Clutching my chest as Emma stood at the island, seeming to have materialized out of thin air.

“Drama queen,” she deadpanned as she took a seat on one of the stools, with Allie following close behind her.

“Yes, she wants coffee too.” The girls leaned against each other, both letting their lids droop.

“You two really aren’t morning people, are you? I’ve seen a zombie look more alive than ya’ll.” Chuckling to myself, I turned around to set to work on making coffee for us, the two of them grumbling how no one should be forced to be awake this early and how it was criminal. I set both hot coffees down in front of them and nearly lost a finger when I didn’t let go of Emma’s fast enough.

“Alright, y'all dig in.” I passed both of them plates and then moved to make my own. Is a pound of bacon first thing in the morning healthy? No, absolutely not. However, all my give a fucks were on vacation. I dove into the fluffy biscuits and warm country gravy after munching on my slices of crunchy bacon. Breakfast was a meal I could have all day, every day, and never get tired of. It was the perfect food in my eyes.

After we all finished eating, Allie helped Emma gather all her stuff together before she left, and then we both started getting ready for work. We were both a little worried about how it would be working from home together, but so far it seemed to be going smoothly. She had enough space in the house that we each had a home office, so we didn’t bother each other, but we could still have lunch together or see one another if we weren’t swamped. So far, we also hadn’t grown tired of being with one another so often either.

I knew Allie had a packed day today with her schedule, so I set to work combing through her Pinterest boards and texting Emma for the ultimate plan I had up my sleeve.

CHAPTER 35

Hello Monday

Today was the Monday of all Mondays. If something could go wrong, it did. Ultimately, after the fall gala, Paul was written up for his behavior since there were people around who heard him. I assumed it was because of this that he made projects we worked on together ten times harder. He battled every suggestion I made. Constantly late to meetings or scheduling them behind my back. I was lucky enough that the projects we had to do together were minimal, and it was clients I had already worked with on marketing projects in the past, so we were on friendly terms. But god, he pissed me off.

On top of his bullshit, we had multiple people out due to sickness, multiple system issues that made me want to throttle the computer, and I had totally forgotten I promised Olivia I would come over and help her finish making her Halloween costume. Mom was working a random night shift to help a girl who was out on maternity leave early, so her wing wasn’t short-staffed.

She usually didn’t like working nights, but since I would go over and be with Olivia for a while, and then her friend was coming over too, it made her feel more at ease leaving her home alone. She was seventeen, but my mom hated leaving her home alone still. Always worried something would happen if she was gone overnight and Olivia was left alone.

Needless to say, I was overwhelmed and on the verge of a breakdown because everything was going wrong. On top of all this, I decided to bite the bullet and apply for the biggest promotion of my life, which only added to the swirling storm of nerves inside.

“This stupid freaking computer, I swear to⁠—”