Chapter 12
∞∞∞
Meryl
I spent two nights with Finn at his place. When I finally had to, I kissed him good-bye and Poptart and I walked home. He was pretty insistent that he should walk with us, but I’d assured him we didn’t need him. I’d been living and walking here for years without a problem.
It was sweet of him to worry, but I was glad to be able to walk by myself so I could think. I”d been so wrapped up in him that I hadn”t had time to think about work or anything else really. I”d get behind if I didn”t get back to it today. Even so, my thoughts didn”t stray far from him. His skin, his taste, the feel of his hands... I had a problem.
I had a nice walk home despite the distraction and I was so glad he’d found an apartment a place close by. We could walk over to each other’s places, meet up for work outs, maybe even some naked workouts… This was going to be so good for me.
It had been a little crazy to sleep next to someone again though. I’d slept pretty well, despite the inferno of heat coming off of him all night and PT crowding us on the bed, but I was ready to get back to my own place and my own bed. I had to work today anyway. My boss, Val, had already sent me message about a new project she wanted me to look at.
I hummed softly to myself as I finally let PT and I into my apartment. I changed into clean clothes in the bedroom before heading into the kitchen. I already missed having Finn around.
I made myself a hot tea, fed PT, and settled into my desk chair. My back was feeling amazing from all of the non-chair time I”d had over the last three days. The gaming break had done wonders for it. I didn”t let myself think about it for too long, or I might have to make some more changes to my routine. I wasn”t ready. Baby steps.
PT sprawled herself across the pillow I’d put under my desk just for her and I stretched my feet out until my toes rested against her soft belly before I logged in. This was so nice. Hot tea, warm toes, playing games with friends, a boyfriend, a dog... My life was already changing quickly and I wasn’t resisting for once. I was happy. It felt like a weird dream, but in a good way.
I was supposed to work a half day this afternoon, but for now I’d enjoy the peace. Then my phone vibrated. It was a message from Saz seeing if anyone could get online. I sent back a quick message and logged on. It was the first time we’d all played online together since Finn had moved.
“Hey-o,” Wade greeted me when I loaded into the discord server where we talked together. He must have been online already or had logged in just ahead of me. I wasn”t surprised.
“Well?” Saz asked expectantly. Had they already been talking about something when I”d come in? Was that meant for me?
“Well what?” I said, confused.
“How was the daaaate?” Wade whined at me. I fumbled for words.
“We have no details and we’re dying to know,” Saz continued. I didn’t know what to say. How much should I tell them? They already knew we’d been on one so it probably wouldn’t hurt to tell them how it went.
“Must have been good,” Wade guessed by my silence and I laughed nervously. I’d taken too long to answer and they were all over it.
Then Finn logged on too. I was both thrilled and mortified.
“We were just talking about your date,” Saz informed him eagerly.
“Oh, yeah?” Finn chuckled.
“Yeah, Meryl said it was bad,” Saz deadpanned and I gasped in surprise.
“She said you were bad in bed,” Wade explained with a snicker.
“She said it was the worst date she”s ever been on and she”d prefer to not see you ever again. And you stink,” Saz added helpfully.
“Yup, that sounds right,” Finn agreed easily. He was completely unfazed.
“Oooh, maybe it was bad?” Wade giggled to himself.
“It’s less funny to joke about if it was actually bad,” Saz mused demurely. He sounded a little concerned. Good.
“He’s too ugly for you, isn’t he?” Wade joked.
“Nah, his dick was too big. It’ll never work out between us,” I sighed unhappily. Finn made a choking sound. Wade busted out into laughter so loud that Saz muted him.
“So it went well then,” Saz observed wryly.
“Very well,” Finn confirmed. I could hear the smile in his voice. My heart fluttered with affection.
“Alright, alright. What are we playing?” Wade asked once he’d unmuted himself.
“Let’s kill some idiots,” Finn suggested.
“I’m up for some murdering,” I agreed. We played a match together, but didn’t win, and we had just began a second round when someone knocked on my apartment door. PT got up and raced to it, barking twice and wagging her tail.
“I gotta get the door, be right back. Watch my guy,” I told them. I hurried to the door, still wearing my headset. I’d make this super quick and get right back to my chair or we might all die the way we had when Wade”s controller cut out last time. We’d gotten second place last match and I wanted a win this time around. At least I would be able to hear them if we got into any trouble while I was away from my desk.
I opened the door to find Aiden standing there with a scowl on his face.