Page 72 of Game Over

“Oh, now that’s the stuff,” I all but groaned as I lay my head back against the couch. He chuckled under his breath at me as he worked up to my ankle and then calf. My muscles and joints ached from everything we’d done. Countless stores, the aquarium, and exploring the city with him. Every ache was worth it, though.

“I don’t know if this is a weird thing or not, but I really do love your legs. I’m not sure what it is about them, but they drive me crazy.”

“Well, that’s good to know.” I laughed, pulled my phone out, looked through all of our pictures again, and sent some to my mom. She texted once we arrived to make sure we got checked in okay, and then promptly told me to stay off my phone and soak in the time with Spencer.

Looking through them made my heart warm. Picture after picture of Spencer and me having the time of our lives doing the most touristy things possible. Every photo op, we stopped. Every mountain pull off, we were there checking out the view. We rode through Cades Coves, letting Spencer explore it for the first time, and the foliage was gorgeous. We were even lucky enough to see animals while we drove through.

My favorite picture, though, was a simple one I snagged of Spencer. We walked into a giant Christmas store, and his face lit up like, well, like a kid on Christmas. Looking up, I simply stared at him with his head thrown back, my feet in his lap as he mindlessly rubbed them, and Dolly curled next to him. He was the picture of perfect relaxation.

“Okay, well now that we’re back, we have to plan Halloween. It’s the most important holiday of the year, and it’s on a Saturday this year too.”

“Ah, so the stars have aligned for the ultimate celebration. I get it.” Spencer nodded as if this was a normal topic, and maybe for me it was. Halloween was my favorite holiday. I wasn’t super into the horror side of it, but I did love the spooky vibes and decorations around this time of year.

“Yes, yes, exactly. Usually, one of two things happens. Me and Emma get Mexican food, we bake fun treats, and when I say we bake, I mean I bake, and she watches, and then we watch our favorite movies. Or if she’s busy, I meet up with my mom and sister to go to the town's celebration downtown. Now that Olivia is older, though, we don’t do that as much since she has her own friends.”

“Hmm, okay, well, what were you thinking for this year?”

“Maybe we could see how Emma and Carson are doing, and possibly have them over here and do snacks and movies? I’m thinking that if there’s enough going on, maybe it won’t be awkward?”

“That could possibly work. Maybe I can also invite Jacob over? I know you haven’t met him in person yet, so this could be a good time for that, and what about your friend Rachel?”

“Oh, that’s a good idea! Rachel, Emma, and I try to hang out outside of work, but our schedules usually don’t align, so it doesn’t happen often. I’ll text them tomorrow and make plans. I’m excited! Oh! It should be a costume party!” I was already running a million different ideas through my head for costumes, setups, and foods. I couldn't wait. I was buzzing with excitement.

“That sounds like so much fun, pretty girl. I’m totally in. You just let me know what to do, and I’ll do it.”

It was nice having someone excited to make plans with me and wanted to be included. This was the type of love every person deserved to have. One where they listened openly, didn’t dismiss your feelings, no matter what they were, and where they wanted to do things with you because they wanted to. Not because they felt obligated to.

“I’m excited to create so many new memories with you.”

“Me too, sweetheart. These last couple of months have been some of the best in my life. Not just time with you, but also being so accepted by your family, Emma, and, shoot, even Dolly. It makes me feel a little less alone sometimes, I guess.” He shrugged his shoulders, but I could hear the emotion he was trying to hold back. I pulled my legs back and climbed over to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and running my fingers through his tousled curls as I did. His hands came to rest on my hips, his thumbs sliding under my shirt and tracing small circles against the sliver of skin he could touch.

“You’ll always have a family here with me, Spencer. With all of us.” My throat clogged with emotion as I leaned back to look into his eyes. At this point, I couldn’t imagine a day going by where I didn’t talk to or see Spencer. He had become ingrained in every part of my life.

“I know I do, sweetheart.” He leaned up and pressed his lips softly against mine. The afternoon sun filtered through the gauzy curtains of the living room, creating a halo behind him. “Come on, let’s go unpack your stuff.” I carefully unfolded from his lap, Dolly following suit, as we headed to the bedroom. I worked getting all the toiletries put away, and any clean clothes I had neatly put away, while Spencer got all the dirty clothes tossed in the hamper for me. Double-checking all the bags one last time to make sure nothing was left, I rolled them into the closet and walked over to where Spencer was standing by the dresser. I took in a deep breath and shuffled my feet, suddenly feeling very nervous. This seemed like the perfect time to ask the question that had been bouncing back and forth in my mind recently. I needed to put on my girl panties and do it.

“You could put your stuff up here if you wanted… Like in your own drawers and all.” I didn’t know if he even wanted to stay here more or keep any of his stuff here besides a simple toothbrush, but if he was up to it, I knew I was ready.

He placed his hands on his hips, and one side of his mouth tipped up in a coy grin. A second passed, then another. Spencer still didn't answer me, only held me with that ocean blue gaze.

Shit, maybe I was crazy for asking. Maybe he doesn’t want to move in this soon, or at all. Finally, he spoke, amusement lacing his voice.

“Allie Grace, are you asking me to move in?”

“No! I mean, yes… maybe… I don’t know, ya know what, forget I said anything. I suddenly remembered that I need to go put stuff up in the other room.” My face was on fire. I turned to leave, and he barreled toward me, swooping me up in a giant hug. “AGH! Put me down!” He let out a bellowing laugh and pulled me closer.

“I’d love to move in, sweetheart. Getting to fall asleep next to you and wake up in the same bed as you has become my favorite part of my day.” He kissed me reverently, calming the previous worries that had plagued me. Putting my heart out on a silver platter like this was terrifying, but I should’ve known Spencer would handle the fragile organ with care.

“I know there are things you’ll need to work out, like your workspace and all that, but I figured it would be a place to start.”

“There’s nothing I’d love more than to be here with my two favorite girls.” He tossed me on the bed as I let out a loud cackle, my feet kicking as I landed with an oomph. We stayed there for the remainder of the night, tangled up in one another or laughing maniacally like the two best friends we were.

CHAPTER 32

Seasons Change but People Don’t

In the silence of her living room, while the afternoon sun shone through the tall windows, she was tucked against me on the couch. I found another little piece of happiness. A new memory to lock away. If there was one thing I knew for certain is that I was going to propose to her as soon as possible. Caution be damned. This love, this contentment, and feeling of belonging, was one I never thought I’d find, and I never wanted to lose.

The way her mom and sister accepted me into their family with arms wide open, or how Emma never cared if the three of us all hung out together. Even if a majority of the time it ended up with them roping me into doing a face mask and them wheezing at jokes they found hilarious that they couldn’t even tell completely. Her circle was small, but they were all so welcoming. You could see how each person shaped her in some way, helped her grow from all the trauma she went through, and how much she loved each of them in their own way.