Chapter 19 Finishing What We Started
Dexter
The minute I heard that woman talking to Natalie like that, fiery anger filled me.
I didn't care who she was, and at that moment, I forgot about my vow to stay away from Natalie.
I couldn't sit by idly and listen to some woman belittle and berate her like that.
Maybe I overstepped, because for the rest of the day, Natalie kept her distance.
Yes, she had made it clear that we would never be a thing, but I didn't like how that wench was talking to Natalie.
The rest of the day flew by in a blur. I kept myself busy by restocking and helping customers as the festival finally dwindled down.
By the end of the event, we were all worn out and ready to close up shop.
I was thankful because, with how busy we were, I was able to keep my mind preoccupied and off of Natalie.
I got lucky and ran into a customer who happened to be in charge of G.T.
Games. He was the game director, and after telling him about the game I was creating, we set up a meeting for next month.
To say that I was excited was an understatement.
I could jump for joy like a big ass kid.
Adam stood up and stretched as he turned off his ring light while Monica scrolled through her phone. Amber and Natalie were closing out the register while Ricky and I swept the floor.
“We should go out to celebrate,” Ricky said, placing the broom back into the supply closet. “That meeting is an impressive accomplishment, and I know they're going to love your game. Hell, the bit you let me play had me hooked.”
I chuckled as I swept the dirt into a dustpan. “As interesting as that doesn't sound, I'll have to pass. I need my game in tip-top shape, and since I was finally able to figure out what was missing from the storyline, I need to finish the coding.”
“Oh, shit! What was missing?”
“A romantic plot twist.”
“How in the world did you come up with that?”
“I didn't. Nat did.”
Ricky looked over at his sister and then back at me with an arched eyebrow.
“Is that right?”
“Yeah. I was stuck, and I took your advice and asked her for help. I have to say, Key, you were right. Once she read my manuscript, she knew exactly how to help.”
Ricky smiled as he clapped my back. “See! My sis knows her shit, especially when it comes to stories. Hell, you should've hooked up with her ass sooner.”
“Huh?” I asked, almost dropping the broom.
“You should have gotten in contact with her sooner, so she could have helped you. Now you got to rush finishing up your prototype.”
“Oh, y-yeah. Yeah, you're right.”
“I can't wait for you to finish up this game because you’ve had tunnel vision. Eat, sleep, work, game.” Ricky snorted. “Speaking of your game, if you get this deal, do you plan on finally telling your parents the truth?”
I placed the broom in the supply closet and rubbed the back of my neck. I was so caught up and excited with the potential of this upcoming meeting that the idea of coming clean to my parents had been in the far depths of my mind.
“I guess it's time, huh?”
Ricky gave me a tight-lipped smile before resting his hand on my shoulder. “It was time like three years ago. When people love you, they'll take the time to understand. It may take them a while and it may hurt, but they’ll come around.”
“You’re right.”
“I know!” Ricky smirked. “Remember, you don’t have to hide the truth from any of us. Plus, you never know. We may be more understanding than you think.”
I looked up at him as he arched one eyebrow at me. I knew he was talking about my parents, but it felt as if he knew more than what I was telling him. Did he know what happened between his sister? Nah. There was no way.
I extended my hand, and we dapped each other. Ricky walked over to Natalie and hugged her. “I'm about to head out, sis. Do you need me to do anything else?”
“Nope, we're about done. Thank you for coming to help.”
“Of course! Let me know when you make it home.”
“Yeah, yeah. Get out of here.”
Not long after Ricky left, we were all grabbing our items from our lockers and stepping out the door. While the air was cool, there was still a faint smell of rain in the distance.
“Monica, are you coming out with me tonight?” Amber asked, grabbing her keys from her purse.
Monica nodded. “Yeah, Adam and I are going to meet you at the club. Dex, what are your plans?”
“Oh, nothing, relaxing at the house. I have some stuff to handle.” I kept my answer vague because though my coworkers were cool, they didn't need to know all of my business.
“Ms. Natalie, are you coming?” Amber called out.
“Y'all go ahead. Have a great night and be safe. I'll see y'all Monday!”
The trio said goodbye and headed off to their cars. I sat by the front door and waited for Natalie to come out of her office.
“Oh!” she gasped, clutching her chest. “I thought everyone had left.”
I shook my head. “There you go again, trying to leave somewhere by yourself at night.”
She huffed out a laugh. “I guess I should've known better. Well, are you ready?”
I opened the door and escorted Natalie out. We walked towards our car in silence as thunder clapped overhead.
“Shit!” Natalie hissed as she sped walked to her car.
Following behind her, I noticed that both tires on her driver's side were flat. “How the hell did that happen?”
Natalie kicked one of the tires in frustration. “I bet it was Sandra's bitch ass. One tire I can understand, but two? Ugh, wait until I get my hands on that hoe.”
“Unless you have two spare tires, let me give you a ride home.”
“No, that's okay. I'll call a tow truck and wait inside the store.”
Lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a loud crackle of thunder. Light sprinkles of rain trickled down, and it was only a matter of minutes before it picked up.
“Natalie, a tow truck might take hours. Get in my truck so I can take you home. You can schedule a tow truck for tomorrow.”
Natalie opened her mouth to protest, but the look I was giving her quickly made her realize it was not up for debate.
I helped Natalie into the passenger seat and walked around to my side of the truck before she plugged in her address into her GPS.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with helping her out.
I mean, any decent person would. Besides, nothing about this was sexual in any way.
I thought of everything I could to distract my mind from Natalie’s sweet floral scent.
The tension in the air was thick, but neither of us spoke.
Instead, we allowed the pouring rain to be our music.
After about a twenty-minute drive, I pulled into Natalie's parking spot. The trickle of light rain had turned into a full downpour.
“Let me help you with your bags,” I said, grabbing her belongings from the backseat. She nodded as she grabbed the keys from her purse.
Hopping out of the car, I ran across the truck and opened Natalie's door. We jogged to her front door and quickly went inside the house.
“Damn, it's really pouring out there,” Natalie said, shrugging off her jacket. “Let me get you a towel.”
I shook my head. “No, I should go. I don't want to invade your space like that.”
“C'mon, Dex. Wait until the rain slows down a bit. I'd feel like crap if I sent you out in that.”
“Alright.”
Natalie motioned for me to follow her towards the kitchen, and I took a seat at the island.
She walked down the hall, and after a few moments, she came back with a towel.
Wrapping one around my shoulders, I watched as Natalie walked towards the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water before handing it to me.
“Dexter, I meant to thank you. For earlier.”
“It's not a big–”
“Yes, yes, it is.” She interrupted. Leaning against the counter, she folded her arms across her chest. “I was embarrassed that you heard that hoe talk to me like that. Don't get me wrong, any other time I would have whooped her ass, but what she said cut me deep, and it threw me off guard.”
“Why, though? You and I both know it wasn't true.”
“For a moment, I thought it was. The thing is, Sandra is the woman my ex-fiancé cheated on me with.
Right before you came outside, she told me she was pregnant with his baby.
Lawrence and I had been together for three years, and I thought I was everything he needed.
I mean, we weren't perfect. Hell, no relationship is, but I didn't think he'd betray me.
For months, I cried and tried to figure out what I did wrong for him to step out on me.
To simply give up on us! So, maybe she was right.
I wasn't good enough for him. I wasn't good enough to be his wife or to carry his child.”
I got up from my seat and stood in front of Natalie. Her head was hanging low, but I could still see the tears running down her cheeks. Placing my finger under her chin, I lifted her head so that her eyes were on mine.
“I meant every word I said earlier. You are more than enough, and your ex was a dumbass for not recognizing that.
I've only known you for a short time, but I can already tell what type of woman you are.
You're smart, funny, helpful, caring, beautiful, and sexy as fuck.
Any man would be lucky as hell to have you on his side, and I'm not only saying that to make you feel better.”
Natalie shuddered as I moved closer to her.