Chapter Ten
Dex
I can tell that her friends—and their opinions—are important to Morgan. Ruby didn't seem outwardly skeptical of me or my intentions with her friend; she actually seemed to be rooting for me, so I needed to make sure I kept that support. I waited for an opportunity to kiss Morgan all night, but I couldn't seem to get close enough to her. While I was dying to be alone with her, I was thankful every time one more person filled in around the table, as it pushed me closer to her. It gave me perfect excuses to brush her arm, her leg, or her hand. And I really wanted to hold her hand.
So when the moment presented itself after that subtle challenge from Ruby, I took it. I grabbed that hand and pulled Morgan to me and kissed her. When she called me lover boy, I had to make good on the nickname. While I would have liked to do much more than such a brief kiss, we were in public. I could see that Morgan embarrassed easily. So turning that kiss into a full-on make-out session probably wouldn't have been an excellent idea after all was said and done.
She looked like she would have liked more when I let her go. I wanted to follow through and show her how much I was on the same page, but a guy can't show his entire hand upfront, right?
I'm not the kind of guy to get all caught up in a girl. Sure, I date but there isn't a lot of time for much more. The team needs my undivided attention, so that's my focus. To be perfectly honest, I’ve really been anxious to find the right girl. I just don't have the time to go out and look for her.
I wasn’t expecting to see Morgan again, but when I saw her from afar today, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see her again. I followed her into the Gaming through the Years exhibit and found her about mid-way through. Our encounter got off to a rocky start when I startled her and she almost knocked over a podium. After that, we flirted a little but I could tell she was a bit overwhelmed just by being at Comic-Con.
All too soon, her friend Ruby showed up, and after being accused of stalking, twice, I managed to get her to agree to come to the Visionwave party. I knew this time when we parted, I needed her full name. There was no way I would forget it, because if she hadn't shown up tonight, I'd have to eventually track her down. I needed to know this girl.
It's funny because I'm not a guy who really cares what others think of me. I am who I am, and I like who I am. I like the people I choose to hang out with, but I was nervous in the hours leading up to the party. I wanted to look my best, I wanted to be on my A-game. I wanted to impress her, but I didn't want to be a douche about it. Simon and Link could tell I was nervous, which meant they were bound by bro-code duty to give me shit all night, mostly because I don't get nervous around girls.
They also knew they needed to be cool. Link is a doofus ninety percent of the time, so there was a high chance that he was going to do or say something stupid and ruin it for me. However, aside from attempting to shake her hand, which I'm positive was to embarrass her, he was on his best behavior. He seemed to focus most of his energy on Ruby.
The night was going well. Morgan was just as beautiful and sweet as I thought she would be when I first saw her. The last thing I wanted to do was make rounds with the industry VIPs, but it’s part of the job. The moment I spotted her on the dance floor, though… shit. I think my heart stopped again. She wasn't a great dancer by any means, but she was caught up in the music, dancing like she didn't care who saw. Laughing and smiling like she was the happiest person alive. It was so damn sexy.
So yeah, when Ruby challenged me with the lover boy comment, I had to make it count.
~~~
"Dude. You're so into her," Link shouts over the music when I return to our table.
"Yeah, and you're so into Ruby. You've been doing this weird flirting thing with her all night." I shoot back before I take a swig of my beer.
"I wouldn't call it flirting, I'd call it crashing and burning," Simon counters with a laugh.
Bernie, who seems preoccupied with her phone, adds on a snort, "I second that!"
It's true, though, the guy couldn't catch a break with Ruby tonight. I didn't think it was possible, but it seems as if Link has finally met his match. Every time he would try to impress her or flirt, she either threw it back in his face or just laughed at him.
"Whatever. It's fine. There's nothing wrong with a challenge. I happen to like a good challenge," he arrogantly insists.
"Ok, but don't go pissing her off. I'd really like to see where things go with Morgan. I don't need you ruining things for me."
"No worries, man. Ruby will learn to love me, and it will be all sunshine and roses."
"Or she will hate you, and in that case, it might be pretty entertaining to watch her put you in your place...every time. It will be better than watching reruns of Key and Peele," Simon quips.
Still glued to her phone, Bernie adds with fervor, "I'll bring the popcorn!" We crack up at Link's expense as he rolls his eyes. "I'm calling it a night, douchebags."
~~~
After a final day in California, we all readily board a plane home around 10:00 p.m. While I always enjoy Comic-Con, I’m always so ready to head home. And sleep. I’ll sleep for at least a day straight.
I’m thrilled to step foot back in Chicago after a four-hour flight. Since we all live in the same apartment complex, a common strategy among professional gaming teams, we just jump in the next available Uber van. I crawl into the back of the van and settle in for the thirty-minute drive home. Link slides in next to me, with Simon, Bernie, and Ben in the middle row, and Chuck in the front.
Chuck and Ben usually fly out separate from the rest of the team. Both are socially awkward, Chuck more so than Ben, but both are kick-ass at CoB. So the fact that they flew home with us was a bit of a surprise.
The van pulls away from the airport pick-up, and I kid you not, Bernie doesn’t wait two seconds before she turns around in her seat, expectantly looking at me.
“What?” I mutter.
“Are you going to call her?” she asks gleefully.
I don’t get a chance to answer, when Simon chimes in, “Of course he is, he hasn’t stopped thinking about her since he signed her shirt,” as he twists his body in the seat and props his arm on the back of his seat.
I shoot a dirty look at his smug face and open my mouth when I’m interrupted again, this time by Link.
“Just don’t forget the one-week rule. You have to wait a week before you call her.”
Really? A week? As I turn to question him, Bernie opens her mouth then closes it. Then shakes her head.
“I really don’t think that is a thing,” I tell him.
“Actually, it’s three days. You have to wait three days, and since you told her you’d call her when you were back in town, you’ve got to wait until at least Wednesday, since today is Monday,” Simon informs us.
“I have to wait three days? Are you sure?”
“Hmm, no wonder you guys can’t get girlfriends.” Bernie shakes her head in concern, “You boys don’t know anything.”
“Who said we wanted girlfriends?” Link challenges.
She drags her perplexed gaze back to me and her expression and tone changes, “Please, do not listen to them. You do not need to wait to call her. Please. Don’t let Tweedle-dee and Tweedledum ruin this for you.”
“Hmm, ok, well I’ll figure it out,” I mutter. As Simon shakes his head and turns back around in his seat.
Link adds, “Whatever, it’s a real rule. You’ll seem desperate if you call too soon. Google it.”
I was not expecting this conversation at 3:00 a.m. in the back of a van on our way home from a ridiculously long week away. I was going to crash in my bed and sleep for at least eighteen hours. But now, all I can think about is when I will get to call Morgan and if it was going to be too soon or not soon enough. Shit.