“I think you knew the signs, but you second-guessed yourself,” my mother chimed in. “You are strong and smart, Babygirl. When you feel the Holy Spirit pulling you in a direction or you feel off about something, listen to it. I knew something was off every time you two would pull up to the house for one of our dinners. Everything kind of seemed forced between you two,but I'm glad that you told the truth, and now y'all can go your separate ways. Now, about this Dexter young man. I've met him a few times when Ricky brought him home from school, and he is a sweet boy. He's a little young for you, though, isn't he?”
“Okay, Patty, leave the baby alone,” my dad huffed.
“I want to know his intentions for our daughter. I can't help but realize his age. I mean, there's nothing wrong with it. Besides, I said he's a sweet boy, but I never would've thought that he and Natalie would be together. They are kind of the opposite.”
I laughed as I walked away from my parents, who continued their conversation. I stepped over to Leonard and took the seat next to his.
“Hey, I wanted to say thank you again for standing up for me.”
“You're my baby sister, of course I'm going to stand up for you.” Leonard rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, I know that you and I are not as close as you and Ricky are. Or how Ricky and I are, and I apologize. I guess I was nervous or scared to build a connection with you. You were always so independent, strong, and never afraid to speak your mind. Then there was me. Quiet and reserved. I guess you can say that I admired you, but I was intimidated. Either way, you were still my sister, and I shouldn't have tried to keep my distance. I love you, and I hope we can start over and build our relationship.”
“You got it, Leonard! Or is it Black?”
Leonard's eyes widened as he shook his head. “Look, I know all y'all are spilling your secrets out today, but leave me out of it, okay.”
I laughed as I embraced him. “You got it! Maybe one day you'll tell me all about Mr. Black.”
“When you're older.”
I laughed and stood up from my seat. I encouraged everyone to stay and eat because I had already covered the bill on my tab.
“Where are you going?” Mya smiled, arching her eyebrow.
“I need to go get my man! Ricky, can you–”
“I just sent you his address!”
Yelling a thank you, I ran out the door and into my car. I still had time to make it to the store and to his house before it got too dark.
Dexter
I satat my desk with a huge smile on my face. The game director of G.T. Games had sent me an email celebrating The Warriors of the Seven Suns and complimenting on how much he loved my game prototype. The director wanted to schedule a one-on-one investment meeting with me for the following week. I had worked so hard on this game, and now I could see everything paying off. My dreams of being a game designer and then eventually owning my own game studio were right at the tip of my fingers.
I grabbed my phone and immediately went to Natalie's phone number. She was the first person who popped into mymind as soon as I read through the email, and I wanted to share the great news with her. Then I remembered we weren't on speaking terms, technically. I was still giving her space, but I felt stupid. I should reach out to her and explain how much she means to me. However, I couldn't shake off the idea of another man being next to her. I didn’t care if it was pretend. I wanted Natalie to myself, and I told her the truth when I said I didn't want to share. I mean, if I really thought about it, if she had to play pretend in public, that meant they would have to hold hands. Or he will have to kiss her and be loving towards her. I'd be damned if I sat by and watched that shit. I wanted her all to myself, and until she got rid of her ex, I would have to wait.
My phone vibrated on my desk, letting me know I had a text. When Natalie’s name appeared on the screen, my heart raced. My thumb shook as I hovered over the messaging icon. She was really reaching out to me. Wait, what if this was a message of her telling me she and her ex were going to try to make things work? Or what if it was a text message because technically, she was still my boss, and she was letting me go? I could feel my heart rate increasing with each probable outcome until I slowed down and closed my eyes.
Taking a few deep breaths, I whispered to myself. “Okay, Dexter. You don't know what's going to happen until you open the message.” Releasing my breath, I opened her text.
Natalie:
Come outside
My eyebrows furrowed as I stared at her message. Come outside? Standing up from my seat, I glanced out the window to see Natalie's car. Sprinting out of my room and down the front stairs, I rushed to my front patio. Natalie's passenger door opened, and she stepped out. I threw my hands up over mymouth as I observed what she had on. Natalie, standing in the middle of the lawn, wore an outfit resembling one of my main character options in my game. She had on a dark brown and orange crop top with a matching skirt that was split up both sides of her legs. She sported a rustic orange robe wrapped around her neck, which flowed idly behind her in the wind. The brown leather belt around her waist and a make-shift weapons holder over her shoulder was a close replica of what I designed. Natalie held a toy sword in her hand and completed the outfit with a plastic crown on her head.
“Warrior Dexter, I humbly come before you and ask for your forgiveness. During my day’s journey, I contemplated my life and realized how big a fool I've been. I almost lost the best thing that has ever happened to me, all because of lies. I would have allowed the person who hurt me to continue to hurt me had I not realized that you are for me. Warrior Dexter, do you forgive Lady Natalie and agree to come back on her side as she begins her trial to fight for the goddess of love and defeat the goddess of power?”
I threw my head back in laughter as I ran up and scooped Natalie into my arms.
“Lady Natalie, you are amazing,” I said as I pulled her closer to me and pressed my lips against hers.
“I feel like a dork,” she chuckled on my lips.
“At least you're a sexy one!”
She kissed my lips again. At first slow and gentle, but quickly turned into something more. I missed her, and from the way her hands clawed at my shirt, I knew she missed me, too. I don't know how one look at this strange woman from a club months ago turned into the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced. For years, my focus has always been on my career and completing my game, but the moment my eyes landed on Natalie, I couldn't have cared less about either. All I wanted was her. All I needed was her.
Placing Natalie back on her feet, I put both of my hands on each side of her face so that her eyes met mine. “I love you, Natalie.”
