Page 98 of Obsessive Love

Pyrite stopped walking, turned to face me, and smiled. “I’m glad you’re starting to realize that,” he said. His smile was so genuine that I couldn’t help but return it. “Now bring your ass on, Itty Bitty, we got shit to do and people to see.”

“Fine,” I playfully sighed and followed him as he carried boxes to the car. It took us seven trips to get everything in his truck. We were going to take his car initially, but once we realized how many boxes I had, we decided to take his Waggoner instead because we needed the space.

When we got to the arena, Pyrite had a small team waiting for us to pull up. They got all the boxes out of the truck and to the concession area that was set up near the courts. For security reasons, Pyrite only let certain areas be open to the public during the tournament. The area where the storefronts were located was locked down. I was in the middle of the concession stands, which was fine because it was the biggest booth.

“What do you need from me?” Pyrite asked as he helped me unbox the treats and set everything up. Everything was packaged in their own bags, which I loved because no one touched anything, and I didn’t have to worry about germs and food getting contaminated.

“Nothing,” I answered, then took a package of cookies from him and set them on the table. He was trying to help, but the way my anxiety was set up, he was only making me nervous. “Why don’t you go check on something in the arena?”

“Damn, you trying to get rid of me?” he asked with a laugh, and I shook my head. He pulled me to him and kissed the top of my head. “Yeah, you are, why? What’s wrong?”

“I’m just used to setting up alone or having Yamari help me,” I said as I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his chest. “I know you’re trying to help, but it’s different with her. I don’t have to tell her what to do or explain how I want something to look; she knows.”

“I get it,” he said, rubbing my back. “You need your best friend.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “But she’s not here, and I know that. So even though I love that you want to help, I need you to go away.” I looked up and rested my chin on his chest. Pyrite looked down at me and smiled. “You’re not upset, are you?”

“Truthfully?” he lifted his brow and smirked. “Fuck nah.” He laughed. “I don’t know shit about this dessert shit besides what I can eat taste good as fuck. The rest of this is your lane, Fable, and I’m good with that.”

I don’t know what I expected Pyrite to say, but that wasn’t it. Truthfully, I expected him to be a little jealous that I wanted someone else here with me instead of him, but I was grateful that he understood. I pulled him down to my level and kissed him. The kiss was supposed to be quick, but the moment our lips touched, it was anything but. Pyrite had a way with his lips that left me wanting more before we separated. He pushed his tongue into my mouth, and I let him take the lead. When we finally pulled apart, we were out of breath. He rested his forehead against mine and shook his head.

“Let me add taking advantage of me in public on my list of shit that you do,” he chuckled. “I’m pretty sure you can get arrested for that.”

“I’ll do better,” I laughed. He tried to move, but I grabbed his shirt. “Give me a second.” I shook my head. “I’m not ready to move yet.”

“That kiss did all that?” I heard from behind me. I turned around so fast that I pushed Pyrite back, and he stumbled. Yamari stood on the other side of the table, her arms crossed with a big smile. I let out a squeal as I rounded the table and pulled her into a hug. “Damn, I missed you too.”

“I missed you,” I cried as I held her close. She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me just as tightly.

“I missed you, too,” she said in a sad voice, then laughed. “Too damn much, apparently.”

We stood there, hugging in the middle of the concession line, but I didn’t care. I missed my best friend and needed this moment.

Finally, we separated and had to wipe the tears from our faces. “What are you doing here?” I said once I got myself together.

“Do you think I would miss an opening? Even if it is just a soft one?” she asked, and I shook my head. “Exactly. When you told me about the opening a few weeks ago, I told Pyrite I needed to be here. He promised to fly me in.”

I turned to find Pyrite watching us. Even though he was smiling, a hint of sadness lingered in his eyes. I rounded the table and pulled him into a hug.

“Thank you, Pyrite Stone,” I said softly, kissing his cheek. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“Yeah, I do, Itty Bitty, which is why I did it,” he said, then let me go. “I gotta talk to my brothers about some stuff before the tournament starts.” He kissed my forehead, threw Yamari a nod, and then left.

Yamari came around the table and threw her arm around my shoulder. “You ready to show these Midwest folks how us Texas girls get down?”

“Yeah,” I laughed. “Let’s sell the hell out so I can enjoy the games.”

“My feet hurt,” I complained to Yamari as I dropped onto the couch beside her. We’d only been back at the house long enough to shower and fall out. We worked all day, first at my table and then assisting Pyrite with various tasks during the tournament. I never got a chance to watch a game, but I heard that Mercy’s team won.

“They should; you haven’t sat down all day,” Yamari said as she lay across the couch. She had a bowl of popcorn on the floor next to her, which she occasionally ate from. “But I know you had fun.”

“I did,” I said, nodding. “It makes me miss being at the bakery.” I tapped my foot against hers to get her attention. “Speaking of the bakery, thank you for helping. I know you were busy with your job and have your life.”

“Fable,” she sighed and shook her head. “You are my best friend; why wouldn’t I let you while you visited the love of your life?”

“He is-”

Yamari pointed at me, and I stopped talking. “Do not lie to me right now,” she said. “That man is the love of your life; stop pretending he isn’t.”

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