28. Something More
28
Something More
All this obsession over a relationship could be for nothing. Sal wasn’t ready for a new girlfriend so soon after Janice. But that horny, silver-haired server didn’t need to find him a warm body. Sal had me. And I had Space Spies 3009…and snacks.
He came over every couple of days. Sometimes, it’d end up in bed, and other times, we’d hug goodbye. I had a weird urgency to text him, even when I’d seen him hours before. I grinned at his toy demonstrations. Everything was a fun discovery with him. Spinning tops. Bubble guns. Kisses in storage closets. Not that he was doing that with anyone else.
He caught me watching him and waved, his dimples a beacon of joy amid the error-ridden LED screens at my desk. I grinned at him, my cheeks heating as I returned to work.
I licked my lips and checked the clock. Lunch wasn’t too far off. Once he packed up the demonstration, I gave him fifteen minutes to wrap up any sales, then told Ash, “I’m taking my ten.”
“Okay.” She smirked, watching me walk out the front.
“What?” I tugged my fleece over my ass.
She raised her shoulder and flicked her middle finger over a tablet. “Let me know if there are any great deals out there. ”
But I didn’t know what she was looking for. I furrowed my brow. “Okay.”
Was she amused by the fact I rarely went anywhere for my break? Or that I didn’t have my headphones on for once? I could be visiting my brother. Or shopping. People did that. Especially around Black Friday.
I hurried into Geppetto’s Workshop. Sal popped up from behind the desk, where he kept a box of demonstration toys.
“Hi.” I dragged the syllable, super awkward.
He grinned, cheesing. “Did you miss me?”
“No. I was bored.” I snatched Tom the Turkey. How the hell had I gotten to the point I needed an emotional support stuffed animal just to admit I wanted to spend time with him?
He nodded and looked down, fiddling with some smaller items like candy and keychain plushes.
I ambled over, squashing the turkey as a buffer between me and the counter. “Did you see the new Craft Cove event? We can party up to get bonuses.”
He shrugged and scratched his chin. “I’m not playing much these days.”
Ah. Because of the breakup? Because he’s still in love with Janice and doesn’t want to see her gift thing?
I squeezed the plush to mimic the tightening around my throat. Why was it so hard to talk to him about emotions?
He half-heartedly sang to some old crooner on the speakers as he tidied up the desk, sliding a puzzle my way. His whole face contorted in an imitation of the singer, and he acted out all the lyrics.
I grinned and rolled closer. “You’re so cheesy. I love it.”
He raised his eyebrows, his cheeks pink. “Oh, really? My ex thought it was kind of embarrassing. ”
“She’s an idiot. Sorry.” I inhaled sharply. No disparaging his ex. Just building him up would have to be enough. I gestured to a plastic guitar. “You’re still playing for the band though, right?”
“Not as much right now. We’re all working too much for the holidays. Maybe after the new year.” He sighed and looked off to the distance. “The last time I picked up the sticks was at your place. I miss it.”
That sounded like an in. He enjoyed elements of our hangout sessions.
My heart raced and I leaned closer, accidentally squishing my boobs together. “Want to play again? Get some practice?’
“Sure, let’s get it on the schedule.” He flashed me a smile, averting his gaze from my cleavage. “Are you going to the bar tonight? It’s Wednesday.”
“Probably not.” What was the point of that when I could hang out with him?
He put a puzzle in the center display. “Fair enough. I already promised some people I’d be there, so, maybe tomorrow.”
“Okay.” I faltered, easing off the plush. Was he trying to avoid flirting with me, or was he not into it?
He said he wanted to hang out. He seemed to enjoy our make out sessions and Space Spies 3009 binges. But he also wanted other people. Bar…wenches…or whatever that silver-haired server would call accommodating, not fleece-covered women. Had he promised to meet them?
Panic pricked behind my eyes, and my heart raced. Was I allowed to want all of him? Or would my clinginess chase him into the arms of someone who could love him like a normal person?
“I forgot about something. I-I’ll be back,” I said, leaving the plush on the counter and hurrying into the mall. I couldn’t hide in True Tech. He’d suspect I was running from him again. So would Ash, and I couldn’t ask her about him, seeing as she thought I sucked as his friend with benefits. Plus, I’d already had two public meltdowns at work. Three strikes, and I’d be dismissed.
The only other place I could find sanctuary was my brother’s movie theater. I texted him a heads-up.
Me: How do you feel about giving your favorite sister some life advice?
Victor: Thrilled beyond measure. But I doubt you’ll listen to it.
I frowned at my phone. No, I would try. He’d managed his love and passion with striking efficiency. The only hang-ups had been when I enforced our secrecy, and the whole stalking thing.
Me: I’ll be there in two minutes.
I hurried to the ticket counter and pushed up my glasses. “Hello, may I please speak to Victor?”
“I'll call him down.” The girl in the power-chair gestured for me to take a seat in one of the lounge chairs.
Hopefully, none of these theater employees recognized me as the girl who kept coming in to fix the spider mech. Maybe now, I could just be his sister.
I sighed and sat at the edge of the pleather chair. This was a nice kingdom for him: vaulted ceilings, dark corners, infinite stories, and salty snacks. Now, he had someone to share it with.
Victor sauntered down the stairs, radiating cool indifference. His employees straightened their posture in his presence. Had it always been like that, or was it only after he kicked that stalker’s ass?
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he drolled, his voice rumbling like some game villain holding court. Part of me wondered if it was all an act after years of analyzing films, but he’d always been a little strange, like me, but different .
“I’m having relationship problems, although I’m not sure it should be called a relationship.” I tugged my cap and scanned the lobby to make sure no one else was listening.
He dragged his fingertips across the top of a chair to check for dust. “Ah, is young Salvador giving you trouble?”
“We’re older than you.” I crossed my arms.
“And yet none the wiser.” His lip ticked up, teeth glinting.
Asshole. I curled into myself. Maybe this was a mistake.
My brother draped himself across the chair. “You have seemed more jubilant thanks to his presence. What happened?”
I folded my hands in my lap. “I initially told him I wanted to experiment.”
Victor snorted and looked away.
Was I ridiculous? My cheeks heated, and I tensed. “Is this too much information?”
“Not yet. I do need context. Go on.” He pressed his knuckles to his lips. The lack of eye contact made it easier for me to disclose my concerns.
I filled him in on the basics, then adjusted my cap and said, “Now, I’m not sure how to bridge the gap from friend to…exclusive friend with benefits. Maybe even boyfriend and girlfriend.”
I couldn’t believe I even wanted that. Then, I’d have to text him every day, meet his parents, and maybe even listen to his band. But the benefits outweighed the frustrations. I wanted that daily surge of pleasure from his presence.
“I think you should tell him what you want,” Victor said plainly.
I twisted my sleeves. “Should I frame it as a health concern? It's safer to date one partner.”
“No. You should frame it as an open discussion, a renegotiation. You might even frame it as a love confession.” He arched his brow.
“We’re not in love,” I said, gripping the seat. “ We’re…compatible.”
“Strong reaction for ‘compatible.’” He checked his buzzing phone, then smiled. “Do you need a script, or do you think you can handle it?”
I rolled up my sleeves. “Give me the start. My break is almost over, and I want to be able to focus.”
He twisted his bangs aside. “Sal, I had a really good time the other night, and now that I have my younger brother’s blessing–”
“Be serious, please,” I warned.
“I was wondering if I could take you on a real date, just the two of us, to the…” He gestured vaguely for me to fill in the blank.
“The arcade,” I offered. “We both like games.”
He smiled and stretched. “See? It won’t be so bad. Just ask him if he’d like to be exclusive and offer to make your first outing as a couple special.”
He stood, so I scrambled to rise too for one last question. “But what if he’s not ready to date again?”
“Then, he’ll miss his chance. You’ll find other happiness. The first step is putting yourself out there.” Victor nodded to me, then put on a devilish smile strode to the entry where his girlfriend waited for him. “Hello, darling," he said.
"Hello, Mr. Sterling." Kat grinned as he took her hand, placing kissed on her knuckles, cheeks, then lips.
She giggled, wrapping herself around him.
I furrowed my brow. Would they just climb into each other’s skin if they could? I still wanted to be my own person.
But I kind of wanted Sal to be able to kiss me in public. Just a peck. Or wrap his arm around my shoulder. Or stay in with me instead of going to the bar. But I had to put myself out there. Take the next step.
I walked toward the mall, awkwardly waving at the happy couple just in case they could see me outside their love bubble.
Kat grinned and waved back.
Victor squeezed her waist, then jerked his chin at me. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” I’d need it. Good thing I had a turkey plush and my brother to rely on.