Page 35 of Game Over

“That would be fun! Do you have any gym clothes with you?” I asked, sitting up as I shot off a text to Emma letting her know I was down to go.

“Shit, no, I don’t, maybe after you get dressed, we can run by my place, and I can change?”

“That sounds good! I’ll let her know you’re coming, and I’ll go get dressed.”

“Should I ask Carson if he wants to come?”

“Hmm, I’m going to say yes only because I know you’ll be doing your own thing and because I want to see if I can pry anything out of Em about him.”

“You’re an instigator, aren’t you?”

“Nooo, I’m simply just investigating some. Totally different.” I stood up, and he smacked me on the ass as I ran away to get dressed. I texted Em that I wanted to go, and that Spence was going to come, but would be off doing his own thing with his friend.

Making a quick stop at his apartment, he ran in to change before we headed to the gym, beating both Carson and Emma there. We parked and sipped on an energy drink while we waited, and I turned on my gym playlist for some background noise. Ten minutes later, they both pulled into the parking lot, so we grabbed our stuff and hopped out of the car.

Emma ran over to me and hugged me. “Hey girl, how was work today?”

“Oh, ya know, it was work. How about you?”

“Not a bad end to my stretch of twelves. I figured I’d come wear my body down some more so I can pass out and rest the next couple of days.”

Spencer walked around and wrapped his arms around me. “I have an idea how we can wear our bodies down.”

“Who’s wearing their body down?” Emma went stiff and slowly turned around to see Carson walking over to us from his car.

“Em, you okay?”

She spun around a little too quickly. “What? Yep! Never better, let's go inside. Spencer, always a pleasure.” She grabbed my hand and yanked me toward the door. Spencer looked between the group, bewildered, and Carson had his eyes on Emma and a smirk on his lips. Yeah, there’s definitely something going on there.

CHAPTER 16

Maybe I Am Crazy

“Dude, what is up between you two, and don’t lie.” I finally asked after we had been working out for forty-five minutes or so. Every so often, I’d catch him watching her with a scowl on his face, and then she’d shoot back a look that would make lesser men run away with their tails between their legs. However, I knew Carson wasn’t one to back down.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. There’s nothing going on between me and the little hurricane over there.” Scowling, he went back to his set when he finally answered me.

“Carson, you don’t even know her. You’ve met her once, so why are you calling her a type of storm for some weird reason and giving her these glares?” Carson was the levelheaded one of the group, so seeing him so worked up was out of the ordinary.

“How about you and Allie, hmm? What’s going on there? Because for two people who I last heard were friends, you seem to be acting a lot damn closer,” he snapped back as he slammed the barbell down and glared at me. I loved my brother, but he wasn’t going to intimidate me easily.

“So, you’re allowed to be in my business, but you won’t tell me what’s going on with you and my girl's best friend? Because, for your fucking information, man, she’s my girlfriend now. You two are going to be around each other, I’m sure. I don’t want things to be awkward.”

“Dude, let it go. I don’t feel like getting into this today. Whatever is happening is between us, not saying that there is, but if there was. So fucking drop it, okay?” We stood there, chests heaving, glaring at one another, both of us too stubborn to speak first. Truth be told, I hadn’t heard him this worked up in a long time, so clearly something was going on. I didn’t like it when people kept pressing me, so I wouldn’t do it to him. Shaking my head, I let out a long breath.

“I’m sorry I kept pressing. I should have let it be. I’ve never seen Carson the Playboy get so worked up over someone. Let alone someone you just met. Unless you haven’t just met her.” I let the statement hang in the air but didn’t say more. It was clear they had met previously, but whatever happened must have been bad.

“Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you. It was a shit day at work today, and tensions are high.” Closing his eyes, he tipped his head back. His chest rose as he took a few calming breaths. Finally, he dropped his head back down and looked at me. “So you and Allie, huh? Finally asked her to be yours? I’m happy for you, man, really. Ya’ll are cute together.” He clapped me on the shoulder, and I couldn’t help but grin like the biggest idiot.

That’s right, everyone. Spencer Parker is officially off the market.

“Yeah, we are. I’m so fucking happy, dude. She’s so amazing, beautiful, and smart. I don’t know what I did to get so lucky, but who am I to question it?”

We finished up our workout and walked over to where Allie and Emma were standing and talking. Allie turned to face me as we walked up, and I pulled her into a hug, dropping a chaste kiss on her forehead.

“Oh no, don’t. I’m all sweaty and gross; you don’t want to do that.” She tried to pull away, but I only held her tighter to me

“I promise you, that’s the least of my worries.” I squeezed her again and stepped back. “How was the workout for y'all?”