Haring

Today is one of the biggest days of my life. The Society, and their families are trying out my building before anyone else. Even my staff hasn’t been in here yet, and they aren’t here tonight. The adults here know how to save another human, so there’s no safety concerns.

I’m happy to have Natasha with me, holding my hand as I open the doors. We’ve been back together for two weeks, and they’ve been the best two weeks of my life. Even better than when we together the first time, because now there are no secrets between us.

I stay back with her, watching everyone walk through each floor, taking it all in. When we get to the top, where the outdoor batting cages, and driving range are on the bullet-proof glass enclosed roof, they cheer. These men and women I admire cheer for me.

As they all start to talk at once, telling me their favorite attractions, my smile is real. Natasha’s hand is still in mine, and my building’s a success. What more could I ask for?

“You did an amazing job, Haring. I knew you would, and I saw the plans, but this is above and beyond what I originally imagined.”

“Thanks, Matt. I mean it. Thanks for giving me this chance.”

“You obviously earned it.”

After I accept all the compliments, everyone disperses to start trying things out. I turn to my woman, and ask her what she’d like to do first. She bites her lip, but I kiss it free, and raise an eyebrow at her.

“It’s just not something you’d probably expect.”

“Now you’ve got me completely intrigued.”

“You’re supposed to be intriguing me, remember?”

“Yes, and I’ll do that again later tonight, but right now, I want to play with you.”

“Okay.”

She leads me into one of the elevators, and down to the gamer floor. I’m completely shocked, because I didn’t know she even knew how to play any games. My confusion grows when she goes straight for the Call of Duty room, and begins to log in. As she puts in her username, my shock turns to anger.

“What the fuck?”

“I’m just logging in. Is that okay?”

“Your username is 1BadGuyAtATime?”

“Yeah, why?” she asks, still not looking at me.

“I thought we were past the lies, and deceptions.”

She turns to me now. “We are.”

“Yet, you’ve been playing me all this time.”

“What are you talking about?”

“DerbyBoy202.”

Her eyes go wide. “That’s you?”

“Don’t play dumb with me.”

“I don’t play dumb for anyone, Haring.”

She’s angry, and a part of me wants to believe her, but I believed her once, and almost died. “I can’t do this again.”

“Again? You’re equating us playing a video game to me being undercover?”

“They’re both lies.”

“I’m not lying to you right now. I honestly didn’t know it was you.”

“You made me think you were a guy.”

“If you’re in the community, you know how women are treated by many of the men. I never say I’m a man, but unless I’m asked directly, yes, I let people believe I am. I never plan to meet anyone I game with, so it’s never been a problem.”

“Until you and Jake decided to mess with me. It’s not a coincidence he asked me to play the night you were playing with him. After you refused to come to dinner.”

“Jake did not tell me.”

“I’m sorry if I don’t believe you. No, actually, I’m not. You just can’t tell the truth, can you?”

“I’m telling you the truth right now.”

“Just go.”

“If this is the way you’re going to be, I’ll gladly leave.”

“Bye.”

I can’t believe this is happening. I was just thinking about how happy I am, but once again, it’s all a lie. I was stupid to trust Natasha again, but this is it. I’m completely done with all this bullshit.

“Why was Natasha running out of here like the world was ending?” Matisse asks, walking into the room with Kendrick hot on her heels.

“She lied to me again.”

“What? When?”

“I’ve been gaming online with a guy Jake introduced me to. Or, at least, I thought it was a guy. Turns out it was Natasha. She came in here, and entered her username in front of me, like it was nothing.”

“She said she was a man when you played together?” Kendrick asks.

“No, but she didn’t say she was a woman, either.”

“Did you?” Matisse asks, her arms crossed over her chest.

“No.”

I’m starting to feel a little niggle of wrongness, and Kendrick just adds to it. “Is it customary to ask?”

“No.”

“So, how do you know she lied?” my sister demands.

“Jake knows.”

“Again, we’re talking about her, and not Jake.”

“It’s too much of a coincidence.”

“Coincidences do happen.”

“With this group?”

She just shakes her head, and presses a button on her arm. “Isa, can you and Jake come to Gameroom 10? Thanks.”

They walk in a couple of minutes later, smiling because they don’t know what’s about to happen. Their smiles fall when they see Matisse and I glaring at each other.

“What’s up?” Isa asks.

“Did you know Haring and Natasha were gaming together, Jake?” Matisse asks him.

“Shit. Is that why she’s not in here with you? You guys found out about each other?”

“I told you it was a set-up!” I shout, feeling vindicated.

Matisse is having none of it, though. “Oh, shut it, because we haven’t found out the most important thing yet, you idiot.”

“She didn’t know. That’s what you need to know, isn’t it? I did this on my own, hoping the two of you could connect through the game, even though you weren’t connecting in real life. Nat didn’t know a thing.”

“You’re saying that because she’s your friend,” I say, knowing it’s not true, but trying to justify my actions anyway.

“I’m your friend too, and I wouldn’t have told her without telling you.”

“What did I do?” I ask, not expecting anyone to answer, but of course, my sister does.

“You acted like some deranged asshole.”

“Thanks, Matisse. I appreciate the support.”

“You know you have it, even if you don’t deserve it, so stop calling me by my real name!”

“Sorry. Fuck! What am I going to do now?”

“I honestly don’t know at this point. I’d be pissed too, but I’m not Natasha, so a grand gesture for me, wouldn’t be the same for her. And maybe she doesn’t want something grand.”

“She does,” Jake says. “She used to drag me to movie theaters playing old romance movies between missions. I had to suffer through a million grand gestures, and hug her when she cried at every damn one. She’s had to become tough, and hard, but she loves romance.”

“I’m going to give her romance,” I vow. Now, I just need to figure out how.

Natasha

I can’t stop crying. Why can’t I stop crying? I did nothing wrong, so I shouldn’t be crying over Haring, but I am. And I just can’t fucking stop. Two days later, and every time I come home, I just cry.

I look over at my game console like it’s the devil, when it’s always been my comfort. Wiping my eyes, I force myself to pick up the controller, because he can’t take this from me. I won’t let him.

When I log in, I have a new message. I’m scared it’s from him, but it’s not. It’s an invitation to play a beta version of the new game coming out later this year. Jumping up and down happens, as I click to accept the invite.

The new game loads on the screen, and I lose myself in the battle. I’ve seen the usernames of some of the other players before, but I’ve never played alongside them. It’s nice to be anonymous. Until a new player name pops up, and I stop breathing for a moment. HerringLovesVixen.

He’s here. I should log off, especially when he sends me a request to chat. Instead, I pause my game, and accept his request.

Me: You did this?

Him: Yes. I’m trying to romance you.

Me: How?

Him: Scott Griffin knows people.

Me: You never mentioned knowing him like that.

Him: I’m a Studkateer now.

Me: Of course you are.

Him: I can renounce my place with them if you want.

Me: You’re being ridiculous.

Him: I’m so sorry I thought you knew. I would do anything to make it up to you.

Me: I don’t know.

Him: I’m going to keep romancing you until you DO know.

Me: What if I decide I can’t be with you? That it’s too much?

Him: I’ll live out the rest of my life as a bitter, single man.

Me: Haring…

Him: Vixen…

Me: I’ll give you once chance. I’m coming to the official opening of your place, and I want

you to pick a date for us. Choose a room, and wow me. That’s what I need from you.

Him: Already planned one.

Me: You think it will wow me?

Him: Oh yeah.

Me: We’ll see.

I log off before he can say anything else, because my smile is already too wide. Yes, he jumped to conclusions, and hurt me, but I can’t help but wonder about the tables being turned. If I’d seen his username first, would I have thought he was playing me? I probably would have, although I hope I wouldn’t have attacked. I can’t say I wouldn’t have, because things didn’t play out that way. All I know is that I love him, and I want to forgive him again. The way he forgave me.

For now, I take a shower, clean up a little around the house, and settle back on the couch—to work, this time. I have a mission to go over, and it late in the night before I set it aside. I need to make sure every angle is analyzed, and it’s going to take more than one night at home. Sleep is underrated.

How can someone focus if they only have a few hours of sleep a night? How can you do your best work if you’re fatigued? So much of our population runs around like they’re on a little mouse wheel, just running and running while they get nowhere. Society judges each other by jobs, and status, when we should be looking at humanity, and kindness.

It’s one of the reasons I love C&C and the Society so much. Don’t get me wrong, everyone works hard. Yet, they don’t kill themselves to make things happen—unless they’re saving a life. After every mission, though, the women take a week off to just be. It’s pretty close to perfect, and I’m just glad I was lucky enough to end up there. A job I love, and a man I love—it’s seems too good to be true, but I’m not complaining this time about things being too good. I deserve good.