Page 95 of Game Over

Charlie’s smile got strangely wide. “Yeah, we should.”

We walked back and I could see the one I’d spotted initially was street fighter, a classic. Next to it was an original donkey kong, Pac-man next to that.

“This is awesome!” I said, walking through the aisle happily.

When I passed Defender and reached the end I froze. There, next to the machine tucked a bit in the corner were those blue and red lights that felt so familiar to me. It was a vintage Spider Man pinball machine, almost in perfect condition. The whooshing sounds and catch phrases brought me back to standing on a box in the laundromat to reach the controls, my mom giving me any extra quarters we had to play. I remember sometimes I used to hide my dirty clothes in hopes to make the loads smaller for more quarters.

“Do you like it?” Charlie asked from behind me as I ran my hand over the cool metallic edge.

“Did you know this was here?”

He nodded. “That's why we’re at this beach. You told me how much it meant to you and I wanted to find one for you. But I couldn’t do it without Jesse. Their search skills are much better than mine.”

Tears formed at the edges of my eyes and my throat choked up. I glanced up at them both standing there, watching me. “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

I flung myself at them both, and they caught me, pulling me in a tight hug. “No problem sweetie pie.” Jesse said. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I pulled back and wiped my eyes.

The person at the counter called for our pizza. “I’ll grab it,” Jesse said, giving me a little nod towards Charlie.

They walked away, leaving just the two of us. “This is truly amazing,” I said.

“Anything for you babygirl,” he said easily.

His dark eyes shone, so much care in them I thought I would burst. “I love you, Charlie.”

His breath caught for a moment. “I love you too Tara, so much.”

“And Jesse?” I asked.

He looked back towards them as they laughed at something the counter person was saying. It was obvious they were trying to give us a moment, and it was really nice of them. But it was times like this that also showed how personable he was.

Charlie nodded once. I knew things started rocky, but it seemed like after their day out things were getting better, which made me so happy. It was obvious from the day we met that Charlie cared more for Jesse than a friend did, and though they were oblivious, Jesse felt the same.

“I think this is a good time to… make things official. With all of us.”

It takes him a moment to parse my meaning, but his face shows exactly when he does. “You mean, bonding them?”

I nodded. “I want it to be us. Forever. Don’t you?”

“I do,” he said without hesitation. “But should we ask them first.”

I glanced back over at them. “We will, but I think we should do something nice for him first.”

Charlie's devious smiles suddenly matched mine. “What do you have in mind?”

“I’m soready for the hot tub," I said as I stepped out onto the deck. The night air was slightly crisp, but still warm, perfect for the hot tub. As soon as Tara mentioned it existed I was excited to get back to go.

When I got out there Charlie was already standing there, bent over getting it heated up. My eyes traveled to his toned ass and thighs, unable to help myself. Though this dynamic was new for us, I realized I’d never not been looking. And I knew that because as I gazed at him, I recognized a lot of the shapes and tendons I was seeing. I’d looked before, a lot.

How’d I gone this long without noticing?

“How’s it going out here?” Tara asked. She was still in her shorts and tank top from after her shower. Did she not plan on getting in?

“Good,” Charlie said. “Can you run in for towels? I forgot them?”

“I can do it,” I said, trying to stand.

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