Page 27 of The Biker and the Gamer
“Both.” I’m sprawled on the fluffy turquoise rug in the living room, stuffed full of tacos and beer, feeling lazy and relaxed.
TV and tacos on a Saturday night has sort of become a routine with Leyana and me. One Saturday when I wasn’t feeling well, she showed up to cheer me up and we watched TV into the wee hours of the morning. From then, it sort of just became a thing.
Wouldn’t say we’re besties or anything like that, but there’s a relationship budding for sure, slow and quiet. She’s proven herself to be trustworthy, reliable, and loyal to the core. That’s all I could ask for in a friend, so we’ve been getting closer toward something solid.
“Well, I’m team Jane all the way,” she says. “Obviously.”
“Obviously,” I echo.
My phone buzzes, vibrating across the coffee table.
“Can you throw that to me?” I ask Leyana, who’s closer to it.
Leaning toward the coffee table, she picks up my cell and carefully tosses it in my direction. I catch it and check the screen.
My heart sighs when I see “The Gamer”. The moniker I saved Alec’s number under.
I unlock my screen to read his message.
The Gamer:Thinking of you…
As usual, I have to close my eyes and take deep breaths in and out to halt my rising heart rate in its tracks.
Three weeks. That’s how long it’s been since I’ve last seen him. Three weeks since our contract ended. Three weeks since I became half a million dollars richer.
Despite my talk with Toni, I haven’t gone after him. Haven’t told him how I felt or tried to see if he felt the same.It’s stupid and pointless, I’d reasoned after I’d calmed down from my anxiety and felt like my old self again.Feelings are feelings. They’ll fade. As long as we aren’t hanging around each other anymore.
At least, that’s what I told myself.
Not only have my feelingsnotfaded, but I’ve also not been able to get himoutof my goddamn head. And hell, he’s not been making it easy either. Even though I never reply, he sends me sporadic messages. Not words. Always an image of something beautiful. A new graffiti painting in RiNo. A picturesque view of Mirror Lake…Kebler Pass…Bishop Castle. A selfie of him drinking a Mountain Dew. A shot of his lunch…a shot of his dinner…and once, even a shot of his toes.
No idea why he does it when he’s been getting nothing but radio silence on my end. It’s almost as if he’s determined to make sure I never forget him. So much so that I’ve begun to look forward to his random pic messages.
This is the first time he’s ever texted me actual words.
It’s also the first time I’ve ever felt the impulse to respond. Biting my lip, I stare at the three words on the screen, anxiously drumming my fingers against the side of the phone.
“You good?” Leyana asks from the couch.
“Mhm-hm.” I wave her off.
Me:Well… I’m always thinking of you…
The Gamer:I know. I’ve made sure of it.
Me:You assume I meant in a good way…
Me:I’m always thinking about how ANNOYING you are.
The Gamer:As long as you’re thinking of me it’s a win.
Me:Whatever
The Gamer:You just rolled your eyes, didn’t you?
Me:Leave me alone
The Gamer:I can’t...
