Page 66 of Game Over

“Oh, it smells so good! Yes, let's try it!” We each took a bite, and the flaky crust and spiced apple filling melted in my mouth. It was so warm and tasted heavenly, and the scent of apples and cinnamon filled the car. A small moan slipped past my lips. “This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever put in my mouth, oh my god.”

“I gotta agree with you. I could probably eat a dozen of these on my own. Holy cow.” Spencer was nodding his head as he covered his mouth to keep the crumbs from coming out. “I’m even more excited to try these others, then. We can do a whole tasting later.”

We drove back to the house, letting the sounds of old country play through the speakers while the windows were rolled down and the wind whipped through my hair. The sun had started to set, and the sky looked like someone had painted it with the most striking shades of red, orange, and yellow. It created the most beautiful hues, casting everything in a golden shade. Sunrises and sunsets in the mountains were a different feeling.

It felt like you were wrapped in this never-ending blanket of color and love. In the mornings, you could hear the birds chirping and waking up, and in the evenings, you could hear the cicadas singing and see the fireflies dance across the sky. Everything had a reverent silence and peace during those times when you could be alone with your thoughts, and for a moment, it felt like everything would be okay.

With Spencer's hand wrapped around mine, and Dolly hanging out the window, everything felt right. Like every tragedy that happened, every lost love was supposed to bring us together.

I looked over at him and just took in his side profile. The curls flying around haphazardly, his full lips, prominent nose, and the dimple that was on display because he was smiling. Everything about him was so beautiful, and then when you got to know him and his heart, he was devastating. Not only was he attractive, but he was a genuinely good person too. And he was all mine. I turned back around, soaking everything in while a set of butterflies erupted in my stomach.

CHAPTER 28

Game Plan

Thursday had arrived quickly. After my and Spencer's apple orchard date, we headed back to my house and turned on an old slasher movie while we ate all the baked goods he had gotten.

After clocking out for the day, I threw open the back doors and windows to let in the fresh air. The space immediately smelled like a crisp fall day. Dolly took this as her cue to bolt outside and jump into the piles of leaves scattered through the back yard—barking as they fell around her.

Following her outside to let the sun heat my skin, the grass was warm against my feet as I stepped into the yard. The smell of freshly cut grass hit me as a small breeze fluttered around me. I snatched up the tennis ball that Dolly brought to me and tossed it out for her a few times. This was my little slice of heaven. The sun beat against my skin, warm enough to feel the heat; fall was in full swing with the gorgeous foliage, and my sweet girl was running and living her best life.

Eventually, I made my way to the kitchen to start dinner, and I popped some chicken in the oven for Spencer and me. Since I needed to pack for the Roberts Family girl trip, he was coming to keep me company. I’d also use it as an excuse to see him some more since I wouldn’t for a week.

Stepping into the pantry, I rummaged around the shelves looking for sides to pair with the chicken. I placed my hands on my hips, waiting for something to jump out at me because nothing sounded good. While I was looking for sides to make, I heard the front door open.

“Knock knock, I’m here!” a familiar tenor voice yelled from the front door.

“In the pantry!” I hollered out to him. I was still rummaging through everything when Spencer stepped inside.

“There’s my beautiful girl.” He grabbed my face and pulled me into a deep kiss. Every kiss we shared felt like a first kiss all over again. My stomach twisted into knots, and I always broke away smiling.

“Hey there, handsome. I missed you too. I was looking for dinner stuff.” I pulled away a little breathless and so happy to see him. He wore a crooked grin, his glasses slightly askew, and his still-damp curl flopped over more than usual. I reached up and adjusted his glasses and placed a small kiss on his nose.

“You didn’t have to cook. I could’ve done that, or we could’ve ordered something.”

“Oh no. It’s no big deal. Just did some chicken, so it’s easy and not much of a mess to clean up. I—” My phone started going off from the kitchen, and my brows furrowed in confusion. “Who could be calling me?” Stepping around him and heading to where it was sitting on the counter, I picked it up and quickly glanced at the screen to see “Mum” flashing across it. I quickly hit accept and pulled it to my ear as I leaned against the bar, wondering why she’d be calling.

“Hey, Mom, what’s up? Everything okay?”

“Hey, sweetie. Things are… okay.” She sounded awful, and it put me on high alert right away.

“What’s wrong? You sound weird.” My spidey senses were tingling. Her tone was wrong, and I knew something had to be going on.

“I know that’s why I’m calling, sweetie. Me and Olivia are both sick. I think we got food poisoning, I’m not sure. But we can’t go on our trip, honey. I’m so sorry.”

My stomach dropped. This wasn’t their fault, of course. They couldn't help getting sick, but this really sucked. I was looking forward to this time with them. Spencer had walked up behind me at some point and rubbed his hands up and down my arms, sensing something was wrong.

“Oh, Mom, I'm so sorry. What can I do for you? What do you need? Do I need to call someone to cancel the cabin? Let me bring you some food over too. I can get you that egg drop soup from your favorite Chinese restaurant you love. If you can give me—” Immediately, I was going into caretaker mode and making a mental checklist of what all I needed to do to make sure they were okay.

“Calm down there and take a breath, Allie Grace. You don’t need to do anything. I’ve already had some stuff ordered to the house for us. All we can do is drink lots of fluids, try to eat some bland food, and hope it stays down. As far as the cabin goes, if we cancel, we lose what we paid. Why don’t you take Spencer? I’ll find us another weekend for a girls’ trip so we still have that time, baby.”

“I’ll feel so bad, Mom, I can’t do that while you two are at home sick. Who’s going to take care of you? That’s not fair.” Spencer's arms wrapped around me in a warm embrace. His clean, masculine scent wrapped around me like a soothing balm to my fraying nerves.

“Allie Grace Roberts, now listen to me.” How is it even sick she can still pull out the mama voice? “Don’t you dare feel guilty about me telling you to do something. I can see how much that boy adores you and how much you adore him, and I think this little trip would be good for you two. So you’re gonna get off this phone, you’re going to call him and tell him he’s going, and I’m going to lie down and sleep. Understand?” I swallowed and nodded even though she couldn’t see me. You did not want to argue with Donna, sick or not.

“Yes, ma’am, I understand. Are you sure⁠—”

“What did I say, Allie Grace? I love you. Goodbye.” That I love you and goodbye was laced with the most sass possible.