Gaming for Love

by Crystal Perkins

  Tonight is going to be different for us. Alex invited her to a special dinner where we’re going to celebrate Erin’s birthday and she said that she didn’t want to say no to her. Yas gave her the idea, telling Alex that she does it for her parents too. Alex has been so excited and she’s been doing so much better. I am still not ready to tell everyone that we are together and I know it will be torture to be near her and not touch her. I am going to need to sit as far away from her as possible to maintain control.

  * * *

  Yasmin

  I arrive at Maggie and Gary’s house with Alex. I’ve seen everyone briefly when they drop off Alex at the store, but I haven’t been back to the house in a couple of weeks.

  “Yasmin! It’s great to see you!” Maggie envelops me in a hug as we step out onto the back patio, which is full of balloons and streamers. Gary, Ryan, Owen and Luke all come over to hug me as well. Only Scott stays away from me. It hurts. I’m not going to lie. But, I told him that I would be patient and I‘m trying.

  “We have all of Mom’s favorite foods, just like you suggested, Yasmin. See, there is cheese pizza, mini spinach and mushroom omelets, Grandma’s mac and cheese and fried chicken too. We have red velvet cake for dessert.”

  “It all looks amazing. Thank you for letting me be here with you.” I give Alex a big hug and feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

  I take it out to check the text as we sit down.

  Scott: Thank you for helping her, Yas.

  I look up hoping to see Scott across from me, but he’s at the other end of the table. As far away from me as he can possibly get. I take some deep breaths to stop myself from crying. I agreed to this. And he has been wonderful to me. We talk and laugh when we’re not kissing or making love. I don’t know if he thinks of it as making love, but I feel like it’s more than sex or fucking. He’s still giving me random pens every few days and writing me letters. I could say that I am falling in love with him, but deep down I know that I have already fallen. I just need to stay strong and give him the time that he needs.

  The dinner is great and everyone goes around the table telling their favorite stories or saying what they are thankful to Erin for. When they get to me, I tell them honestly that I am thankful to Erin for Alex. I’ve come to love her like my own niece and she’s told me that she loves me too. I hope that we will always stay in touch, no matter where she goes for college or later in her life. She’s a special girl.

  After the plates are cleared from dinner, Gary comes back outside with an envelope in his hand. He has a look of sadness in his eyes when he turns to Scott. “Son, this came for you today. I didn’t want to spoil the celebration but you need to make plans.”

  “Plans?” Scott asks him with a puzzled look as he takes the envelope from his father. His eyes grow wide and his hands start to shake. “Is-is this what I think it is?”

  “Yes, Scott. Doug called this afternoon to say that they moved up the trial to July 13. He just found out and also heard that a subpoena for you was coming. I know we hoped that this wasn’t going to happen, but the prosecutor really wants your testimony. He thinks that it will help take any sympathy away from Amber that her lawyer will try to drum up,” Gary tells him as next to me, Alex sits up straighter and reaches out to squeeze my hand. I look over to her and ask if she’s okay. She tells me that she is, she just wants justice for her parents. I nod.

  I look up and see that Scott has gone pale and started shaking his head. His body is shaking. “No, I-I can’t. I can’t do it.”

  I don’t even think as I rise up and move around the table to the other side. I reach him, saying, “Yes you can, Scott. You can do this.”

  “Yasmin, I know that you want to help Alex and you seem to have some grasp of the situation, but you don’t fully understand,” Maggie tells me in a kind but stern voice.

  I ignore her and turn back to Scott, forcing him to look up at me. “I’ll go with you if you want me to.”

  “Baby? You’ll go with me?” When I nod, he reaches out to grab me around the waist and pull me to him. His head is against my stomach as my hands move into his hair and scratch his scalp the way he likes me to.

  “Apparently Alex is not the only one Yasmin has been helping.” I hear Gary say from behind me. I look up and am met with some surprised faces. I give them a small smile and start to turn back to Scott.

  “I knew. They were kissing against the bookshelves in the Horror section last week.” At my look of shock, Alex continues, a look of mischief in her eyes. “I know you thought that I was next door getting coffee with Sam, but I forgot my wallet. I didn’t want to interrupt you. You looked really into it.”

  I blush deeply as Scott starts shaking again, this time from laughter.” We were really into it so thanks for not interrupting, Baby Girl.” He takes a few deep breaths and then looks up at me loosening his hold a little. “What about the store? I know that you haven’t wanted to take time off or even go in too late in the mornings.”

  “Do you want me to go with you?” I ask, looking down into his eyes.

  “Yeah, I want you to go. I fucking need you to go, Yas. I meant it when I told you that you comfort me.”

  “Then I will figure something out for the store,” I tell him, leaning down to lightly kiss his lips. I try to lighten the mood a little by adding, “Besides, I’ve never been to Chicago. Even if I only see the inside of a courthouse and a hotel, I’ll be able to say that I was there, right?”

  Scott looks up at me. “We could go a day early and I could show you around a little if you want. We could even go to Windy City Tats so you can meet my tattoo guy, Zane.” He smirks as he adds, “I know how much you enjoy his work.”

  I blush and playfully swat him on the shoulder. “I would like that. I’ve always wanted to go and see the paintings at The Art Institute. But are you sure it would be alright? This isn’t going to be a fun trip for you.”

  “It’s not going to be fun. In fact, I think it will be my own personal version of Hell, but I would really like to show you the city. I grew up there and I love it, even if I can’t imagine ever going back there permanently.”

  “Well, it’s settled then. I’ll arrange for you to fly out on the jet two nights before the trial. Do you have a hotel chain preference, Yasmin?” Gary asks me.

  “Umm, no. I guess whatever is cheap but nice. I can’t afford a fancy hotel,” I tell him honestly, feeling a little embarrassed.

  “We’re not staying in a cheap hotel. Can you have us booked into the W, Dad?” Scott asks, taking my hands in his.

  “We? You’re going to stay in the hotel with me?” I ask before Gary can respond.

  “I’ve woken up with you in my arms every morning for the last two weeks and it’s fucking awesome. I don’t plan to stop doing that anytime soon.”

  “Scott! You parents are here. Oh my God, did you have to say that?” Now, I am beyond mortified and can’t look anywhere but down.

  “I hate to break it you, Yas, but my parents have four kids and none of us were the product of an Immaculate Conception. So, I don’t think the fact that we are having sex is going to shock them.” He laughs as he pulls me onto his lap and kisses me passionately.

  I break away as soon as I can, which admittedly takes longer than it should. Having his mouth on me makes me lose my mind a little. Okay, a lot. I turn to look back at everyone else so that I can apologize. I find them all looking at me with wonder and happiness in their eyes.

  “The W it is,” Gary says with a twinkle in his eyes. “I’ll tell them one bed is all you need.”

  “Th-thanks,” I say as I bury my head into Scott’s shoulder. He’s shaking with laughter again and plants kisses all over my bent head.

  As we get ready to say our goodbyes later, Maggie asks if she can speak to me privately. “Of course,” I tell her. We head into the house while Scott stays behind with his brothers. Gary and Alex had abandoned us earlier for a long standing chess game.

  * * *

  S
cott

  “Okay, spill,” Owen says to me with a smirk as I watch Yas head inside with my mom.

  “Spill what?” I try for an innocent look.

  “You know what, asshole,” Luke chimes in. “You and Yasmin. Have you really spent every night with her for the last two weeks?”

  I look around at my three brothers and know from the looks that they are giving me that I am going to have to tell them something. I won’t tell them everything, though. Some things are just between Yas and me. I won’t cheapen what we have by talking about her that way. “Yes, I’ve been with her for a little over two weeks and I am happier than I’ve ever been in my life.” There, I said it.

  “Over two weeks? Wait, is she the one you were with when I caught you doing the walk of shame that morning?” Owen asks with a smile.

  “Yes, she is who I was with. But, there was no shame. I’m not ashamed of being with her.”

  “Are you sure about that, bro?” Ryan says and the look in his eyes is skeptical as he continues. “You haven’t mentioned her once in the last two weeks, you didn’t greet her when she got here and you sat as far away from her as possible during dinner. If she hadn’t jumped out of her chair to comfort you, none of us would have known that the two of you are together. That doesn’t seem like you not being ashamed of her.”

  Fuck! I should have known that Ryan would pick up on all of that. “I am definitely not ashamed of her. But, you’re right, I didn’t want any of you to know about us. I-I just didn’t want anyone to think that I was getting involved with someone again too fast or worrying about what she could want from us. I also didn’t want you guys to pretend to like someone just for me again,” I admit with a sigh.

  “Dude, really?” Luke says. “Are you fucking serious? Yasmin is nothing like Amber. She’s great and no one is pretending to like her. We all do like her. She’s helped Alex and apparently you so much in such a short time. There is nothing fake about her at all. And, she’s smoking hot.”

  “Don’t talk about her like that!” I growl as I move towards him.

  “Calm down, man,” Owen says, stepping in front of me. “We’re not blind and you have to know how hot Yasmin is. He didn’t mean to be disrespectful, he was just being honest. I think he even meant it as a compliment to her.”

  “I did, Scott, I mean it. I wouldn’t disrespect her, even if she wasn’t with you. I told you that we like her.” Luke looks remorseful now.

  “She’s awesome and I’m happy for you, Scott. You deserve someone like her. I can’t believe she puts up with your shit and was fine with hiding things from all of us, though,” Ryan tells me, a question in his eyes.

  I sigh again and admit the truth about the situation. “She wasn’t fine with it and I’m pretty sure that it hurt her to do it. I told her about Amber and explained to her the same reasons I just told you guys. She agreed to give me time, but I know that it has been hard for her. She’s-she’s amazing and I don’t know how I got lucky enough to have her in my life, but I’m not going to let her go. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, even Amber. I know it’s fast, but I am pretty sure that I’m in love with her.” I drop my head and wait for the ribbing to begin.

  It doesn’t come. I look up and see that I have shocked my brothers into silence. Owen is the first one to recover. “Have you told her that?” When I shake my head, he continues. “Well, you should. After what you just said about her being hurt and upset, I think she needs to hear it.” I know he’s right but I’m not sure if I’m ready yet.

  My mom and Yas come back outside a few minutes later. They’re both smiling, which makes me smile, too. I walk over and take Yas’ hand. “You ready to go?”

  “Yeah, I am. It was great seeing all of you.” She hugs my mom and brothers goodbye then we head inside and say goodbye to my dad and Alex too. We decide to take my car and pick up hers in the morning.

  I notice that something is wrong as soon as we get in the car. Yas lets me take her hand but she looks out the window instead of at me. I want to ask her what is wrong, but traffic is a little rough so I decide that I’ll wait until we get home. I mean her house. It’s not my home. But as I think that, I realize that I feel like it is my home.

  I barely stop the car in her driveway before she opens her door and says, “I’m so sorry.” Then she is out and running up her steps. I catch up to her as she’s fumbling for the right key to her front door.

  “Baby, what are you sorry for?” She doesn’t turn around so I keep trying. “Yas, I need you to tell me what’s wrong. What do you think you need to apologize for?”

  She turns then, tears glistening in her eyes. “You didn’t want anyone to know about us and I screwed that up.”

  Shit. I thought about how I hurt her by keeping our relationship from my family. But, I never imagined that she would think that I was mad at her for comforting me in front of them. The proof of just how big an asshole I am just keeps adding up. There is no way that I am going to allow her to think that she did something wrong.

  “You saw me start to fall apart and you came to me. You comforted me. Don’t ever be sorry for that. If anyone should apologize, it’s me. I shouldn’t have asked you to keep us a secret. I should have known that my family loves you and would be happy for us. I know that I hurt you and I am glad that everyone knows now.”

  “Your mom asked me if I was serious about you and told me to not break your heart. I told her that I was more serious about you than I have ever been with anyone in my life and that the last thing I would ever do is break your heart.” I can’t say those three words yet, but I want her to know how I feel so I take her inside and spend the rest of the night showing her.

  Chapter 13

  Yas

  If the two weeks with Scott before his family knew about us were great, these past two have been even better. We have dinner with his parents a few times a week. The whole family has been great and I know that they really like me. I feel like I’m becoming a member of their family and although I will never forget my parents, it is nice to have a sense of family again.

  The store is still struggling and Erika keeps bugging me about the software. I let her set up meetings with the local banks as well as some private investors for the end of next week. I’m heading to Chicago with Scott tonight. He’s become tenser and more stressed out in the last couple of days. I don’t blame him at all. Even though I can’t really afford the extra payroll, I asked Erika, Danny and Sam to cover for me while I am gone. They were more than happy for the hours, although Erika teased me about the fact that she has never met Scott. He never seems to come by when she’s there. I promised her that she could meet him soon, as long as it’s on a double date with her and Sean.

  I’m talking with Sam at the cash wrap while I wait for Scott when she says, “I hate to bring this up, Yasmin, but is the store going to make it?”

  I sigh heavily as I tell her honestly, “I don’t know, Sam. I am trying to keep it going and Erika has this idea for some miracle software, but I can’t promise you anything. If you need to start looking for something else, I understand.”

  “I am not at that point yet. I have some savings just in case you need to cut my hours. I love it here and I’ll stay on as long as you can keep me,” she tells me, then pulls me in for a hug.

  “Thanks, Sam,” I say, hugging her back.

  “Do I get a hug too?” I hear Scott ask from behind me. I turn from Sam and walk over to give him a hug and a kiss.

  “Are you ready to go?” he asks when I pull away.

  “Yep. Let me grab my bag.” I turn toward my office.

  “Hey Sam, how are you?” I hear him ask as I open the office door. He really is a nice guy. I come back out and he takes the suitcase from me.

  “I’ll see you Friday, Sam. Thanks for helping cover the store.”

  “No problem, Yasmin. Have fun.” My friends think that this is an all pleasure trip. Scott’s story is not mine to tell and I won’t betray his trust.

  “
We will,” he answers before I have a chance to. We head out the door to the waiting car.

  * * *

  Scott

  I can tell Yas is a little freaked out by the jet. I’m used to traveling this way, but I know that most people aren’t. We get settled into the leather seats and Velvet brings us some drinks. She has been part of the flight crew for years and I ask about her family before we take off.

  “That was really nice of you to ask about her kids,” Yasmin says to me after Velvet goes up front to take her seat.

  “She’s been with us since I was a kid. I used to be scared to fly and she would sit next to me and tell me jokes while we took off.”

  “Aww, that’s sweet. Your family is really nice to everyone who works for you. At least from what I can see. And you all do your own dishes and stuff.”

  “Yeah. We didn’t always have a ton of money. My dad always believed in his company and my mom always believed in him. But, we had some lean years. My mom never let us forget that or think that we were better than anyone else.”

  “Things got better, though.”

  “Yeah. Like I told you, Dave’s investment helped us. About three years ago, it was almost not enough. One of my dad’s competitors was wooing away our best architect. Ryan was working under him, learning the ropes, because that’s what he was studying in college, architecture. Ryan knew that he was about to leave us and it would have crippled the company since he was designing a new building that we had already won the bid for. At the last minute, the competitor withdrew their offer and we kept the architect. My family was really scared, though. Our reputation had been on the line and it would have been really bad.”

  “Wow. Well, I am glad that it worked out.”

  “Me too. Now, let’s talk about our plans for tomorrow. Is there anything else you would like to see besides the Art Institute?”