“Oh, Scott.” My mom looks anguished.
“I know, Mom. I will make this right, I promise.”
“I know you will.” She looks at me and a smile replaces some of her sadness. “Now, let’s get these groceries put away so I can start cooking.”
“You’re cooking?” I ask as we walk through an equally bare dining room and into the kitchen.
“I know that Yasmin can’t say no to my mac and cheese so I thought that I would make some. I want to make sure that she eats.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I love Yasmin, too. Do you want to leave the key with me so that I can close up?”
“No, I have something that I want to do while we’re here.”
It takes a little while to bring in all of the groceries and put them away. I think my mom bought the entire store. I leave her in the kitchen and head to Yas’s room. I’m kind of freaked out to see it. I don’t want to see that sexy bedroom taken apart. It was where we were first together and we spent many other nights there as well. I take a deep breath and walk down the hall. I nearly fall over when I walk into the room and see that nothing has changed. She kept this room intact. I’m glad that I just bought this house so that she won’t have to sell anything. I head over to the loveseat by the window, take out my notebook and get ready to write. My mom is leaving her some mac and cheese and I am leaving her a letter. And some pens.
Chapter 24
Yasmin
I managed to make it through the rest of the day without falling apart. I was glad when Erika said that Sean’s friend couldn’t meet with us after all. They insisted on coming by to drive me home and I was too tired to argue. I just want to get back to my house and take a long bath. I don’t have much time there. Tony called today to say that he got an offer that he wants to talk to me about. I put him off until Monday because I am not ready to deal with leaving the house yet. Getting rid of the furniture wasn’t too bad because I had been wanting to pick my own new stuff for the last year but couldn’t afford it. Now, I can start new in an apartment. I will take my bedroom furniture with me, though. I couldn’t give it up, especially after the memories that I made there with Scott. I know that it shouldn’t matter and that I said that I was moving on, but I want to remember him there with me. I need to remember those times when he still loved me and we were happy. Remembering them keeps me from falling completely into the darkness that wants to overtake me.
We pull into my driveway and I say my goodbyes and head into the house. As soon as I walk in, I smell something good. Something like Maggie’s mac and cheese. I follow the scent into the kitchen where the light is on and there is mac and cheese in the oven. A note on the stove from Maggie tells me she heard that I wasn’t eating much so she made this for me and it’s warm so all I have to do is take it out of the oven. She tells me that my cupboards and refrigerator are full as well. She also said that I’m welcome at the house for dinner anytime. And that she loves me. I choke back a sob and wonder what changed, why she would suddenly want to be in my life again. And how did she get in? I can figure that out later. Right now, I need to eat because I’m a little dizzy and I don’t want to pass out.
After I eat, I feel better but I still want a bath. I put away the leftovers and wash my plate in the sink. I’ll call Maggie tomorrow and thank her. I just want to get these clothes off and try to relax. I walk into my room and stop in my tracks. There are a bunch of silver Bic pens in the shape of a heart on my bed. I had wanted those pens forever but you can only buy them if you live in England. I told Scott that once and it looks like he remembered. That’s how Maggie got in, I realize. I had given him a key the night of his party. I’m still trying to process the pens and figure out what has changed when I notice the envelope in the middle of the heart. My heart starts beating hard and I walk slowly to the bed and pick it up.
Yas
I walk over to the loveseat and sit down. I swallow a few times before pulling the paper out and reading.
Beautiful, honest, amazing Yas,
I need to start by telling you how sorry I am. I should have believed you when you said that you didn’t know that I designed the software program. I should have never even considered that you would use me. I know you better than that, but I let my insecurities and fears take over. I projected my anger at Amber on you. I never had the chance to tell her off or yell at her for what she did. So, when I heard Justin say that you would do anything for the program, all rational thoughts left my mind and I lashed out at you without giving you a chance to explain.
I knew that I was upset about what Amber did, but I never realized just how messed up I am over it. How insecure I felt, thinking that no one could really love me. Yet you did and instead of treasuring you and our relationship, I destroyed what we had between us. After everything happened with Amber, my parents wanted me to go see someone to talk about what I was feeling and help me deal with it. I told them that I didn’t need to do that and they supported my choice. I realize now that I do need help. I need to talk to someone and try to believe that I am worthy of love, your love. I ‘m going to get better for me and then I am going to come to you as the man you deserve and ask you to give me another chance. Until then, I’m going to woo you again. You deserve that and so much more.
I have some specific things that I need to apologize to you for. I called you a bitch and a slut. You are neither. You stood up to Amber for me and my family but that doesn’t make you a bitch, it makes you a beautiful, loyal woman who cares for us all. You let me live out a fantasy because you loved me and that doesn’t make you a slut, it makes you the best girlfriend a guy could ever hope for. You are an amazing, compassionate, smart, sexy, gorgeous woman. One that I am lucky to have met.
Thank you for the scrapbook. It’s the best birthday present that I have ever received. I love you more than words, too.
I know that I don’t deserve anything from you, but if you could just text me to let me know that you got this letter, I would appreciate it.
Yours always,
Scott
I’m crying so hard that I am shaking. Scott still loves me and knows that I didn’t use him. I’m so happy, but so scared at the same time. I want to drive over to his house and hold him tight but I am worried that something else will happen to make him doubt me. I don’t know how his mind works and I don’t want to always be afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. If this happened again, I don’t know if I would survive it. He says that he is going to get help before he comes for me. That he wants to woo me again. Will that be enough? Will I be ready to give him my heart again? I honestly don’t know. But, I am willing to give it a chance. I won’t make a decision now. I’ll wait until he comes to me and see how I feel then.
I know that I have to text him, but I don’t know what to write. I don’t want to shoot him down, but I also don’t want to give him false hope. And right now, I feel that it would be false because, even though I love him, I’m not sure that I can be with him again. I finally decide on something and send if off before I change my mind again.
Me: Thank you for your letter. I’m glad that you’re getting help. When you are ready, I will hear you out. I can’t promise you anything but I’m willing to listen to you. I need to apologize too. I should never have told everyone about what we did. I am really sorry that I did that.
A reply comes almost immediately.
Scott: Thanks for agreeing to talk to me. And thanks for the apology. Prepare to be wooed :)
I spend Sunday working as usual. It’s not too busy and I’m happily surprised when Alex and Maggie walk in. I rush over to hug them and Maggie holds me tight.
“Thank you so much for the food, Maggie. I really appreciate it.”
“It was my pleasure. I am so sorry that it took my family so long to realize that we were misjudging you. We should have known better.”
“You did know better, though, didn’t you? When you brought Alex back, it seemed like you knew.”
“Yes. I did believe you. I didn’t think that you could fake the love I saw in your eyes when you looked at my son. But, I had to side with him.”
“It means a lot to me that you believed me. I understand that your loyalty had to lie with Scott.”
“But, now she can be loyal to both of you,” Alex says, looking excited. “Uncle Scott told us that he is going to see a therapist to help him. I know he loves you and you two can be together again!”
I sigh and look at her. “Sweetie, I am happy that Scott is going to talk to someone and try to get past the things that are hurting him, but that doesn’t mean that we will be together.”
“You don’t love him anymore? He hurt you that much?” Tears are pooling in her eyes.
“I do love him, Alex. More than I ever thought that I could love someone. But, that doesn’t mean that I can just forget how much he hurt me. Because, he did hurt me very badly. I don’t know if there is anything worse than having the person you love not trust you or your love for them. I promised him that I would talk to him when he is ready, but that is all I can promise right now.”
I wipe my eyes to clear the tears that are now falling. Maggie pulls me to her as I sob into her shoulder for a few minutes. “I understand, Yasmin. Just please give him a chance. He wants to get better for himself and for you.”
I nod and try to put a smile on my face. “So, did you come by for some books, Alex? And, oh my God, I didn’t even ask how you are feeling today. Are you still sick?”
“Sick?” she asks puzzled and I see a look pass between her and Maggie. “Oh yeah, I am better. Once I got home, I felt better. I should have come back to help. In fact, that’s why I’m here. My grandparent’s said that as long as I can bring my homework here, I can come every night and stay until close if it’s okay with you.”
“I would love to have you here every night, but are you sure you don’t want to hang out with the new friends that you made at school?”
“I do, actually. Can I tell you on a daily basis if I can be here?”
“Of course, sweetie. You’re doing me a favor by being here.”
“Now that that is settled, I have some things that I need to do. Owen will be by at 9:30 to pick her up.” Maggie hugs us both again and then she is on her way.
The rest of the day and night are quiet in the store. I check the online orders, not expecting much, but there are 30. How did that happen? I don’t have time to check as Alex and I fill them all and I box them up while she watches the store. It’s nine before I know it and I lock the door and get the small deposit done. I put it in the safe and we head outside where Owen is waiting for Alex in his car.
“Hi ladies, are you ready to go?” He comes over and hugs Alex and then me. It’s a little strange that everyone is now accepting me since Scott did, but I did always know how close they all are.
“Goodbye you guys. I’ll see you tomorrow Alex. It was nice to see you Owen.”
“Wait, where are you going? Don’t you want a ride home?”
“What makes you think that I need a ride?”
“Well, you’re heading towards the bus stop with a bus pass in your hand.” I forgot that I had taken my pass out so that I could have it ready.
“I’m fine. I take the bus every night.”
“Yasmin, can I please give you a ride? I actually want to talk to you about something. I need to ask for a favor.”
“You need a favor from me? If it’s about the party…” I look warily at him.
He laughs so hard that I think he might fall over. “No, it’s not about that. I know that you’re not into me and I am kind of seeing someone right now.” He turns serious. “But, I do have something to ask you.”
“Then, yes, I would love a ride. Thanks.”
We all get in the car and the drive to my house is filled with small talk and catching up a little with each other. When we pull into my driveway, Owen shuts off the engine and turns to me. “So, this favor I need from you is something really important to me.” He takes a deep breath and continues. “I know that you’ve seen my sculptures and paintings, but my real love lies in street art. I stopped doing it when I started doing the more commercial stuff, but I love it. Creating something on the side of a building where everyone will see it is just the best for me.”
“Umm, isn’t that sometimes illegal?”
“Yeah, it is.” He chuckles. “And I have gotten in trouble before but then some of the businesses that we ate or shopped at started letting me make murals on their buildings. I’m actually kind of famous.”
“Oh wow, Owen. I had no idea. That is really cool.”
“Yeah, it is. But, I haven’t done any murals in a couple of years. I’ve been focusing more on the company art. I was thinking that I would like to do one on your building, though. Maybe some flying books and people reading or something. Since your store stands alone in the middle of the center with three walls, I think that I could do something cool. Would you let me?”
I’m momentarily stunned. He wants to paint my building? That would be so cool. But, then I remember that it may not be mine for much longer. “I would love for you to do that Owen. But, honestly, I’m not sure how much longer I can stay in business. Things have been kind of rough lately.”
“I’m sorry that you are having a rough time. How about I do it and it can stay as long as you’re there. If something happens and you have to close, the new tenant can leave it or not. I just really want to do this.” He reaches out and grabs my hand. “Is there anything else that I can do for you? Do you need money? Because I have it if you need it.”
I see the sincerity in his eyes, so I answer honestly. “I do need money, Owen. But, I wouldn’t feel right taking it from you. Thank you for offering, though. And yes, you can paint my building.” I lean over and kiss his cheek and then open the door to get out. Alex gets out and gives me a hug. I head into my empty house for what may be the last time. I have to make that call to Tony tomorrow.
Chapter 25
Scott
It has been 2 weeks since I set everything in motion and things are somewhat surprisingly going according to my plan. Owen started the mural last week. I drove by and it is looking really cool already. He’s been posting updates to his Facebook and Twitter and his fans are going nuts. Ryan is finalizing the paperwork for the purchase of the strip mall. That took some work on his part. The owners didn’t want to sell at first and Ry had to really negotiate hard. But, he managed to make it happen. Letters will be going out this week to the tenants letting them know that their rent is going to drop significantly.
My parents and I have been in touch with the publishers who want us to do books with them. We have been honest and let them know that we’re not ready yet. We told them that it would make our decision easier if they helped us out. Some said no, but there were a couple that are willing to send their biggest authors to I Heart Books. Yas should be hearing from them soon.
Tony called me after he talked to Yas about the sale of the house. He said that she couldn’t believe the price that was offered. He had to tell her something about the purchaser wanting to make sure the offer wasn’t beaten by anyone because he loved the house. It’s true. I do love Yas’s—I guess now my—house. I would have paid ten times the asking price for it if I had to. Tony also said that she was happy that she can stay in it. If my plans work out, then we’ll be living there together. If they don’t, I’ll figure out somehow to get the ownership of it back to her.
Business at the shop is steadily increasing. Luke has been taking girls there almost daily, buying them books. He said that when Yas commented on it, he told her that he wanted to spread the love of reading. Alex says that Yas doesn’t believe him, but she’s not complaining about the extra business. Owen’s fans have also started to drop by and he tells them that the least they can do is buy a book if they want to watch him work. Many of them have been doing just that. The online business has started to boom as well. Sean told me yesterday tha
t Yas is starting to get suspicious about why they are getting so many orders when they don’t have my program. Everyone has been distracting her when she tries to go on the website, but I know that it is only a matter of time until she sees it. I am hoping that she will not be too mad at us for going behind her back. We all did it because we love her.
I am walking into the kitchen to grab some sodas for Sean and me, when there is a pounding on my front door. You have to have a gate code to get into our driveway so it has to be someone in my family, although they normally use the doorbell. I walk over to open it and when I do, Yas barrels past me into the living room.
“How did you do it? Did you hack my website?” She spins on me as I close the door.
“What? Of course I didn’t hack your website. Why would I do that?” I ask, but I think I know where this is going and my earlier worry about her not being mad seems to have been validated right now.
“Then how did your program get onto my website. I didn’t put it there.”
I have to snicker at that. “Of course you didn’t.”
“You think this is funny? You can just mess with my livelihood and it will just be okay because you are Scott Fucking Griffin?”
“No, Yas. I don’t think the situation is funny. The thought of you coding a website was funny. I’m sorry I laughed.” I am seriously screwing this up.
She relaxes a little. “It is funny to think of me trying to do that. But if you didn’t do it, who did?”
“Me.” I didn’t notice Sean step out of the hallway but he’s in the living room with us now.
“Sean? What are you doing here?” Yas looks confused now and I hope she takes this well.
“I work here. Scott hired me as his assistant.”
“You did?” she asks me and I nod. “That’s great. I’m so happy for you.” She hugs Sean and then her face falls and she looks at me. “Oh my God, please don’t fire him, Scott. If he took the program, it was just to help me out. I’ll pay you for it or he can remove it since I know that you didn’t want me to have it.”
Gaming for Love Page 19