Gamers for the Win
The month of September flew by as fast as the trees change with the seasons. The leaves changed to a sea of orange, red, and yellow. The normal hot and humid air was starting to finally cool down to where I could leave the windows open longer.
This was when my soul started to thrive.
The changes of the seasons always made me giddy. The ‘ber’ months had too much to look forward to, and now I had someone to look forward to them with. There was something in the way the air shifted to something lighter and crisper. It made me feel alive in a way that was hard to explain.
This weekend was the fall formal that they decided to call the Gilded Autumn Gala.
Since some big-name clients would be attending, the company seemed to be going all out too, with hiring a string quartet, if the rumours around the office were to be believed.
The few decorations I saw people bringing in were extremely opulent, and they supposedly were getting a top-tier caterer as well.
Inching toward the last quarter, work had surprisingly been going very well.
Celine had announced that she would be retiring sometime next year, and since then, she’s been doing her best to convince me to apply once she does.
I didn’t know if I was ready to take on a role so big, but I told her I’d at least consider it.
Since that conversation about her retirement, I’ve started taking on additional projects after we signed on two new companies. It was a lot to juggle, but I was proud of the work my team and I were putting out.
My plate seemed to be overflowing between work, spending time with family, and nurturing this new relationship with Spencer.
Did it seem a little stressful at times?
Sure, what normal person wouldn’t feel the pressure, but I knew I’d be okay and make it through.
I couldn’t let anyone down, so I had no choice, or that’s at least what my people-pleasing tendencies told me.
Over the last month, Spencer and I went back and forth, staying at each other's places. I had slowly made a collection of shirts and hoodies that I hoarded like a dragon, and he kept a toothbrush and other items at my house. So far, he hadn’t done anything that truly annoyed me, and he put up with me being a blanket hog. I call that a win in my book.
Since today was Friday, the day before the gala, I scheduled a nail appointment with Emma once I got off work, since Spencer said he would be working late. Work was slow enough that Em came to hang out, so when I was off, we could take my car and go together.
“Okay, what do you think about this one? I keep going back to it.” I flipped my phone around to her to show her another nail design. It was an almond-shaped, black French tip with chrome on it. I thought it would be simple enough and would pair well with my outfit.
“Yesss, that one! That will look so good!”
“That’s what I was thinking. I like the chrome on it.”
“Are you excited?”
“I am, but also nervous. Apparently, a lot of the real big people will be here, and I’m sure I’ll get sucked into talking to them. Especially since Celine has been trying to get me to be her protegee essentially.”
“Have you given that any more thought? If you will apply once she leaves?” Emma asked as she scrolled on her phone.
“Yes and no. Every time I do, I start to freak out because what if I don’t do well enough? That’s a lot of people and areas I would be responsible for.”
“Well, if it helps any, I think you’d do great. You’re already a kick ass boss.”
“Thanks, Em. I appreciate it. You ready to go?”
“Yep, let me run to the restroom real quick before we go.”
I texted Spencer to let him know that we were headed out now and that I would text him when I could.
The nail salon we went to was so calm and peaceful, and everyone was always so nice.
When we checked in, they offered us a glass of wine while we waited for them to get set up.
I decided to go with all black for the toenail color so it matched my nails.
“I need one of these massage chairs for my house. I swear they’re so nice, dude.” I wasn’t sure where I’d put it, but I would find somewhere.
“Right? We need to book actual massages one day. Hey, we could do a couples one!”
“Works for me, it’s been a while since we’ve gotten one. Maybe next weekend or something,” I said as I cracked an eye open to look at her.
We sat and chatted while the two salon workers did our toes.
Em caught me up on all the recent ER drama.
Who’s sleeping with whom, who cheated on whom, and who got caught doing all of the above in a room or closet.
Since Emma couldn’t have her nails done due to her nursing job, she sat next to me and played on her phone while she waited.
“Oh yeah, these are perfect. Look at them.” I stretched my fingers out and flipped my hand around so she could see.
“Yes, bitch, those are amazing. If I ever have an opportunity to get mine done, I’m so copying you.”
Heading up front and to pay, we decided to walk next door to grab some sub sandwiches for dinner. It was her stretch of three days off, so she was going to come stay the night and hang out to help me get ready tomorrow.
After we got home and finished eating, I made my way to my bedroom and Emma to the guest one so we could shower and get ready for bed.
Turning on some quiet music, I set to work filling the tub with coconut epsom salts and lighting all my candles.
Sinking into the hot water, it relaxed all my muscles and joints.
While I was lying there, my phone started to ring.
I quickly dried my hands off and picked it up, seeing that Spencer was facetiming me.
“Hey there, lover boy,” I said as I answered and sat back in the warm water.
“Well, hello there, gorgeous. Am I missing a show?” he was craning his neck on the phone, trying to see more.
“Incorrigible. I’m just taking a bath, but I didn’t want to miss your call, but now I’m thinking I should’ve let it go to voicemail.”
“Can you blame me? You’re breathtaking, and I only get to see you through a phone screen right now. This is actually evil, and I think you live to torture me,” he teased and grabbed his heart like an arrow had been shot through it.
“Spencer James, oh my god,” I couldn’t help but laugh at how outlandish he was being. If there was one thing this man did consistently, it was make me laugh no matter what. “I do not live to torture you. Okay, well maybe a little, but you kinda like it when I’m mean to you.”
“Shhh, no one’s supposed to know that. I wanted to call and check in on you, make sure you weren’t gonna stand me up tomorrow.” He propped his phone against his computer as he pulled his headset on. The system came to life as lights reflected against his glasses.
“I’m so done with you. No, I'm not going to stand you up. I’m really excited, and think it’ll be a lot of fun.”
“Me too, sweetheart. Is six still a good time to pick you up?”
“Yep, that's perfect. I miss you so much.”
“I miss you, but you’ll have a fun girls’ night with Emma, and tomorrow will be here before you know it. I’ll let you go so you can relax, and I’ll see you tomorrow, beautiful.”
“Bye, Spence, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
After hanging up, I scrolled on my phone for a bit before washing off, getting out to dry off, and doing my skin care. Emma had turned the TV in the bedroom on and was cuddled up and eating some ice cream when I walked back in.
“Oh, Cookies and Cream? Gimmie,” I said as I climbed into the bed and got situated under the covers.
“I knew you’d want some, that's why I got two spoons.” She passed me the other and flipped through videos for us to watch. We landed on one of our favorite vloggers and decided to catch up on their videos while we looked at ways to style my hair for tomorrow.
“Okay, what about this one?” I handed her the phone and showed her a half-up style with a hair clip decorated in pearls. My hair was a little past my shoulders now, so we had some more to work with.
“I think we could make this work. I have a smaller clip that I think would fit, and then we can do looser curls too with some texture spray to help it hold.”
“And then what about this makeup look?” I tipped my phone toward her, showing the look I had saved.
“Oooh, that subtle smoky glam and bold lip would be perfect. The color would look gorgeous against the dress.” Her thoughts perfectly mirrored mine. I thought it would be simple yet bold, and everything would pull together perfectly.
“ It’s very Hollywood glamour. The only thing I’m worried about is my shoes, because they have that heel, and what if I’m taller than him?”
“What if? I’ve seen the way that man looks at you. He’d probably just try to climb you. There’s also nothing wrong with a girl being a little taller than the man.” Emma said as she tipped her spoon in my direction.
“Hmm, I guess you’re right. Either way, they make my legs look hella good.” I laughed and reached for the tub of Cookies and Cream. Seriously, the best flavor ever made.
“I can’t wait to see the entire outfit together. I know you’re going to look smokin’ hot. Spencer is gonna be all caveman all night, I bet with anyone who even looks at you.”
“Ya know, you’d think it would be annoying, but I kinda like it. Like yes, sir, I am yours.” There was something about him being a little bossy to me that I loved.
“Girl. You could tell me you’re into lizard play, and I would say alright, girl, get on with ya bad self. Zero kink judgment here.”
“Emma, what the fuck does that even mean? Why lizards?” I stared at her, slack-jawed, because while I loved the support that was… oddly specific?
“Look, I’m just saying I’m not going to judge!
You’re missing the point here.” She dug her spoon into the ice cream, taking a massive bite.
“It’s the ‘quiet nerd in the streets but a freak in the sheets’ vibe he has.
I love it for you.” Both of us busted out laughing, but she was right on the nose with that statement.
Emma shot up, almost spilling the ice cream as she did.
“Oh my gosh, I almost forgot! I made you something.” I took the tub from her as she climbed out of bed and bounced over to her bag on the floor.
Emma whirled around with her hands behind her back and a mischievous grin on her face. “Okay, eyes closed and hands out.”
“Emma, what did you do?” I closed my eyes and laughed at her shenanigans.
This was either going to be something sweet or disturbing, knowing her.
That was one thing I loved about the woman she was embracing.
She was her weird, authentic self and didn’t give a fuck what anyone thought.
That was one trait I was envious of. Even after all the work I put in, some days, everyone else's thoughts mattered more to me than my own. Emma’s sing-song voice brought me back to focus.
“Nooothing.” A second later, I felt something soft placed in my hands.
I opened my eyes, and a white shirt with “Gamer Pillows” across the chest in red font sat folded.
I barked out a laugh at the absurd shirt that I couldn’t wait to wear around Spencer next.
Emma was bouncing from foot to foot with excitement. “Well? Do you love it?”
“It’s hilariously insane, yes, I love it. Oh, he’s going to get a kick out of this.” Emma took the shirt back and placed it on the dresser, so I could put it away tomorrow, and climbed back into bed.
We continued to share the ice cream and watch videos till we were sickly full and could barely keep our eyes open.
The next morning, we woke up, made breakfast, and sat and chatted till I needed to start getting ready.
I texted Spence and sipped on an energy drink while Emma curled my hair and then styled it like the image we found.
When it had cooled and she finished, I started on my makeup, taking my time to make sure it was as flawless as possible.
Whenever I did my makeup, it was such a calming experience for me.
It was another version of art and creating that I loved so much.
“Ugh, why are men so gross?” She flipped her phone around to show me a message someone had sent her on a dating app.
“Ew, I didn’t want to see that!” I swatted the phone away. It was another unsolicited picture of someone’s nasty junk. Shocker. I still don’t understand why any man would think we want to see that. She had recently decided to give them a try and wasn’t having much luck.
“It feels impossible to find anyone even remotely decent. I’m starting to think it may be me and my toys for the rest of my life.”
“Oh my god, you’re not going to die all alone with your vibrator, I promise. You’ll find someone.” She reared back in mock anger.
“That’s easy for you to say. You basically had Clark Kent swoop into your life to save the day. Has he even shown a red flag yet?” I rolled my eyes at her.
“First off, he did not swoop in. Secondly, not yet, no. You will find someone, Em. Seriously, anyone would be lucky to be with you. Hey, maybe he has a friend we could hook you up with?”
“I think I’ll pass on that one. Carson being a friend is enough for me to stay away from anyone else he could know, but thank you. I’ll continue my luck with swiping.”
Finishing up, I gently took the dress off its hanger and shimmied into it, and had Emma help lace it up.
“Girl, I knew you’d look good in this. I don’t even have the right words.”
Smiling to myself, I slowly twirled around to look at all angles of myself in the mirror.
I truly did look beautiful and felt confident, even with my curves and stomach on prominent display like they were.
Embracing my body as it was had always been hard for me, but over the last few months, it had gotten easier.
Spencer made it easier. He cherished and adored every inch of me.
His eyes always seemed to be filled with awe when he looked at me.
The feeling of adoration, acceptance, and want was a heady concoction that I was quickly becoming addicted to.
I trailed my fingers over the fabric, thoughts of anticipation to see Spencer swirling in my mind, shifting to clouds of anxiety and what-ifs.
What if he thinks you look ridiculous?
What if he didn’t like the way the dress hugged your body in places?
No.
I wasn’t going to let those anxious thoughts ruin this night.
This was going to be a good night, I knew it.
My attention was brought back into focus by the sound of my doorbell.
Glancing at myself one final time in the mirror, I took a deep breath, ran my hand down the dress to smooth it out, and headed down the hall.