18. Teach Me To Play
Teach Me To Play
Yeah, I was for sure going to be the reason we lost this match. Allie sent me that picture, and my sole focus is on her now. I’m going to have to make a folder to keep this in for when we’re apart because goddamn. I don’t think I’d ever get enough of her.
“Earth to fucking Spencer, are you there, dude?” I heard Carson yelling into the mic.
“Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah, I’m here, sorry. I was texting Allie back.”
“Y'all are so cute, it’s sick.” Carson made a gagging noise, being dramatic.
“You’re just jealous.”
“Why would I be? If I’m not in a relationship, I can’t get hurt, and I can do whatever I want. Allie does seem like a nice girl, though.”
“She really is. I’m head over heels for her already, dude.” I’m pretty sure most people would say I was whipped or a simp. Whichever it was, I didn't care. I wanted to worship the ground she walked on.
“I’m happy for you. You deserve someone who makes you feel this good.”
“What about you? You saying you don’t deserve someone?” It was silent for a beat… then another. I almost thought he turned his headset off.
“I thought maybe I had met someone different before, but I was hurt and ended up looking like a fool. I won’t make that mistake again.” Carson’s voice was mixed with hurt and frustration.
“Emma?” Another long stretch of silence.
“Yeah… Emma.” He sounded resigned, like saying her name physically hurt him, but there was also something else there I couldn’t put my finger on. Longing maybe?
“It’s okay, we don’t have to talk about it. Whenever you’re ready, we can, if you ever want to,” I assured him.
“Maybe I need to talk to her so things aren’t awkward with us. I was kind of a dick to her.”
“Well, if you do, I’m sure I can let Allie know, and she can arrange something.”
“Thanks, man, I’m gonna hop off here now. Talk to you later.”
I pulled my phone back out and looked at the picture she sent again.
All her curves, her soft stomach, and muscled thighs on display.
I loved every single inch of her. How she didn’t see the beauty I did blew my mind.
Allie was beautiful in a way that a summer storm was.
Her strong will was a force to be reckoned with, a little scary but too magnificent to look away from.
The ways she always showed up for those she cared about showed a gentleness to her that not everyone saw. I closed out and locked my phone, got everything powered down, lights turned off, and headed to bed.
My alarm blared from my phone, pulling me from yet another dream that featured those hazel eyes I loved so much. I stretched and hauled myself out of bed before padding down the hall in search of the sweet elixir of life.
“Thank you, auto brew features,” I mumbled to myself as I poured a giant cup and wiped the sleep from my eyes.
Swiping open my phone, I searched all the nearest designer stores so I could take her shopping this weekend.
I wasn’t going to let her settle for anything less.
I wanted to help bring more of that beautiful confidence out in her, so why not start here?
We’d make a whole day of it with a lunch date, coffee, and shopping.
If we have enough time, I could take her to the bookstore she mentioned to me as well.
After getting clocked in, I made sure my volume was up on my computer and then got to work making sure the apartment was spotless and smelled like cleaner and fresh laundry.
Everything needed to be as perfect as possible.
Thankfully, nothing crazy happened with work, and most of the day I was able to unpack most everything I had left, and even get some of my little decorations put up too.
Slowly, it was feeling like a home. Once done, I did a quick grocery delivery for some ingredients to make homemade pasta and salad, and some cookie dough.
Next thing I knew, it was five o’clock, and Allie was texting me she was on the way. I started cooking, so when she got here, it would hopefully be almost ready. While I was draining the pasta, I heard her knock at the door,
“Come in, doors unlocked!” I yelled while trying not to splash the water everywhere.
Cooking wasn’t my strong suit since I never had anyone to teach me but myself, but I got along okay.
Everything was usually edible at least. For the most part.
There may have been a couple of times biscuits resembled baseballs, both in looks and density.
“Hey there, handsome. Oh, it smells good in here!” Allie made her way inside, set Dolly’s stuff down, and undid her leash.
I poured the drained pasta back into the pot as Dolly bounded over to me, jumping up to give me kisses.
Her tail was wagging so fast that her front half went one way, and then her rear end went the other.
“Oh, hello there, sweet girl. I missed you today. Were you good for Mama? I bet you were a sweet angel all day, weren’t you?”
“Yeah, a fallen angel. She has been so hyper today and also very clingy. Not that I’m complaining, cause I love when she’s cuddly, but damn girl, let me have a tiny bit of personal space.
How was your day?” Allie walked over and wrapped her arms around my neck as I pulled her in close.
Her skin was still warm from her drive over, and the freckles splattered on her face were even more prominent.
She smelled like a mix of coconuts and the lingering woodsy scent from the wind.
“It was good, but it’s much better now that you’re here.
I missed you.” She leaned into me, threading her fingers into my hair, and kissed me slowly.
I swept my tongue into her mouth, deepening the kiss.
She let out a small moan and raked her fingers down my neck.
She tasted like coffee and vanilla. An intoxicating combination that I never got enough of.
“We’d better stop, or I’m gonna burn dinner,” I murmured against her mouth, not wanting to be the one to pull away.
“Mmm, yes, we can’t have that, can we?” She nipped my bottom lip and pulled away. “Where should I put my stuff?”
“My bedroom is the one on the right of the hall. You can sit it anywhere you’d like.
” I kissed the top of her head, and she turned to go put stuff away.
I finished up cooking, plated everything, and set it on the table.
Walking over to where my phone rested on the counter, I hit shuffle on a playlist, knowing Allie loved having something going on at most, if not all, times.
Feeling Good by Michael Bublé started playing, his melodic voice filling the small space.
“Oh, it looks so good. I’m starving.”
“I hope you like it. Here, have a seat.” I pulled her chair out for her to sit before moving next to her, watching as she took her first bite.
“Spencer, oh my gosh, this pasta is amazing. Did you make homemade alfredo sauce? It’s so creamy!”
“I did, yes. I don’t know how to cook much, but this is one of my favorites.” Pride bloomed in my chest at her praise. Was this an easy dish to make? Yes, it was, but I’d take this win.
“Well, you did amazing. This is so good. Oh, also, we have to talk.” She set her fork down and had a serious expression on her face.
We have to talk.
My stomach sank as dread pooled and a nauseous feeling crept in. This is it. This is her telling me she doesn’t want to see me anymore. That I’m not good enough and that she found someone better-
“I found out a little of what happened with Em and Carson.” She paused, looking at me.
That’s all? My poor heart.
I let out a long exhale and took my glasses off, “Listen, I gotta tell you. You almost sent me into an anxiety spiral then with that ‘we have to talk.’ My chest is still pounding.”
“Oh my god, Spencer, I’m so sorry I should’ve thought of that! I would’ve freaked out too. I feel so bad now!” Her eyes widened, and she clutched her chest.
“It’s okay, don’t feel bad, beautiful, so what did you find out?”
“Well, I can’t break the girl code and tell you everything because Emma is my sister from a different mister, and I won’t jeopardize that, but I will say that Carson said some pretty hurtful stuff to her at a time when she was vulnerable.
I don’t know if she’s going to talk to him and clear it up or what, but I don't blame her for how she’s acted.
I think for now it’s best we keep them as separate as we can. ”
“Totally understand that, and I would never want you to compromise that relationship. He only hinted at a little more last night, but I figured they met somewhere before and something happened. I told Carson I wouldn’t ask any more questions, and that if he did wanna talk to her, he could let me know, and I would talk to you to see if something could be arranged. ”
“That’s very sweet of you. If he does or if she does, we’ll talk to each other about it, but for now we’ll leave them be.” She picked her fork back up to continue eating, “So when do I get to watch you play? OH! Can you teach me to play!”
“Sure, why not. After we’re done, I’ll throw it all in the sink, and we’ll play.”
“Yay, I’m excited! What types of games do you usually play?”
“Well, usually I play with Carson and Jacob—another buddy of mine—and we play online multiplayer games. The one we play most is called Smite. They’re usually pretty fast-paced, but I have another one we can play. We can start in the training area so you can learn the basics first.”
“I may not be any good, but I’m excited to learn.” She was grinning so broadly and practically vibrating with excitement over something so small as being interested in my hobby.