Chapter Twenty-nine
Dex
It’s been two days, and I’m pissed. It’s 10:00 p.m., and I’m sitting in front of my TV trying to pick up a couple rounds of CoB to release some tension. But I can’t focus. I’m playing horribly. All I can think about is Morgan and how she ended things.
I knew something was wrong the second I stepped foot in her apartment. But in a million years, I didn’t expect it to go the way it did. I should have expected a fight. I should have known that she’d see that stupid picture of me and Kelsey. I should have done more to ease her mind that nothing was going on between us as soon as Bernie told me that the picture was up on Facebook. I handled the whole thing poorly. Dammit.
I was mad, though. I was mad that a picture of a girl kissing me on the check was enough to make her distrust me and ask if I was cheating, even after I told her it was nothing. It was just a stupid photo. But I let my anger get the better of me and said some pretty dickish things to her.
I hated being away from her, so I could only guess she felt the same way. I saw it in her eyes both times I left to travel; she was sad about me leaving. Telling her she needed to deal with it and get over feeling left behind was mean. But when she said that I didn’t have a real job, that was my breaking point. I hate the misconception that I don’t have a real job. I get paid to do something I love doing. Not many people get to say that. So, what if it’s playing video games? I have to practice. I have to get better. There is money on the line. Sponsors only want the best of the best promoting their expensive gaming gear. I live with my teammates solely for the reason that we have to strategize and practice all the time–thank God we all get along. But still, people think I don’t have a real job. So yeah, it’s a touchy subject for me.
When she said, it was over, my brain and my heart just shut down. I didn’t fight her on it. I just let her decision stand. I should have fought for us. But I didn’t. I just walked out and closed the door on her, sitting there with tears streaming down her beautifully-broken face.
I admit I fucked up by not fighting more for our relationship, but it took me about an hour to realize that this was a mistake. I honestly don't know why I expected her to answer when I called, though. I was just going to have to keep trying.
I’ve tried to text and call Morgan several times since I left her apartment that night and while I’ve only gotten one reply, it wasn’t a reply I wanted. Now I’m left to figure out what the hell to do to get my girl back.
I know Simon and Link will provide no help whatsoever. They will only succeed in putting me in a fouler mood. But after another night of nearly no sleep, I stumble out to the kitchen.
“Damn. You look like shit, Dex,” Link says and lets out a whistle.
I grunt and try to locate the nearest breakfast food.
“Yeah, what the fuck is wrong with you? We didn’t see you at all yesterday. We didn’t realize you were here until we heard you power up your PlayStation. Did you even leave your room yesterday?” Simon asks from the table.
“I need coffee,” I grumble as I rip a Pop-Tart foil open, shove one in my mouth, and get to making myself a cup.
“Uh, Dex, are you just not going to answer us?” Link asks.
“Morgan and I got in a fight and she ended things,” I grumble.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” asks Link, “Because it sounded like you said you guys ended things.”
“You heard right,” I growl at the coffee machine.
“Wow. I did not see that one coming,” Link says, seriously.
Simon cautiously asks, “So, what happened?”
I really don’t want to get into this right now. But maybe if I get it over with now, they will leave me alone about it later. I clear my throat, “Kelsey posted a picture of her and me on Facebook and Morgan saw it. Then when she asked me if I cheated on her, I kinda lost it. Then we both said some mean things. Then she said this wasn’t working and that we were done,” I drag in a breath. There.
Link lets out a whistle, as Simon says, “Damn.”
I let out a humorless laugh, “Yeah.”
“Ok, so like… are you guys like, really done? Or are you both just cooling off before some hot makeup sex?” Link asks.
Shooting him a vile stare, I reply, “Considering she won't take my calls, or text me back, and the fact that when she did reply to my last text, she said again that we are done, I don’t think she has any plans for hot makeup sex.”
Throwing his hands up in surrender, he shrugs.
“So, you’re just gonna let it go then? Move on? Be done with her?” Simon asks.
And I’m done with this conversation. Taking my coffee and half eaten Pop-Tart, I start walking, “I’m heading back to my room.”
Chairs scrape the floor and heavy footsteps fall behind me. Knowing someone is behind me doesn't hinder my attempt to close my door.
“Hey, wait a second,” Simon interjects along with his foot and arm through the door. “Let's talk about this. I know you’re mad. But I also know that you really like her. I mean, you took her to meet your parents. You can’t roll over and take this.” He sounds angry, but I don’t know why he really cares.
“What does it matter to you, Simon?” I reply, blandly.
“I care because it’s not fair that you don’t get any say here, and it's obvious you don’t want the relationship to end.”
“Well, I’m really too mad at the situation right now to think about next steps. I do know that I want this conversation to be done but you won’t stop nagging me about it.”.
“Damn, Dex, you’re being a dick.” I hear Link mutter from somewhere behind Simon.
I shove a hand through my hair resisting the urge to pull it out. I try to take deep steady breaths. That’s it. I’m going to start keeping a stash of food here in my room and get myself my own coffee pot, so when this kind of shit happens I don’t have to leave my room…ever.
“Look, I just think you are wasting time being here and getting pissed at us. You should go talk to her.” Simon says, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Or, you could take some time to cool down and let her have a breather. Go over there in a few days.” Link is in the doorway now. “Because really, she flipped out over nothing. You’d never cheat on her, and Ruby said Morgan isn’t budging on this…yet.” My eyebrows rise as he continues, “Yes, I texted her and we both think you guys need some space.”
Great, now I’ve got everyone weighing in on what I should do.
Coffee and food long forgotten on the nightstand, my shoulders slump as I sit on the edge of my bed. I take in a deep breath, “Look, I appreciate your concern and your advice, but right now, I don’t want it. I just want to eat my fucking Pop-Tart and drink my now-cold coffee, in my room…by myself, with the door closed.”
Simon looks more disappointed than Link, who just looks bored. Good. I won’t have to worry about him bothering me about this.
“Fine. Suite yourself, Dex.” Simon shakes his head and turns to pass behind Link. The door clicks, and I’m finally alone again.
“God Dammit,” I mutter.