Chapter Twenty-three
Morgan
Dex and I have been dating several weeks now and while it has been a whirlwind of fun and excitement, the feelings I’m starting to have for Dex are kind of scaring me. We spend as much time together as we can, but he’s busy a lot. The team actually does practice ten or more hours a day, but fortunately, he hasn’t had to travel again. I’m not looking forward to his next tournament, which is coming up in a week. I honestly believe him when he says he’s going to text and call me more. The last thing I want to be is a clingy girlfriend, but dammit, him crawling in my bed unannounced to see me completely melted my resolve. I had wanted to just get over it in time; however, maybe it was a good thing that we talked about it.
With that being said, I told myself that I needed to rein in my own emotions when he traveled. I can’t get all sad and mopey when he is away. I hate how much I miss him when we aren’t together, and that can’t be a good sign. Isn’t this something that happens months and months, maybe even a year after dating someone? The last thing I need is to become dependent on another guy, but every time I have that thought, it always circles back to the fact that maybe Dex isn't just another guy. Then, that thought in itself freaks me out. There is no way I could be falling in love with him already.
It’s just too soon. Maybe I need to create some space between us. Ever since we started having sex, things between us have been pretty hot and heavy. It’s like we can’t get enough of each other. When we are together, we’re always touching. When we are alone, we never seem to do much talking.
So for a rare Friday night, since we started dating, I’m not seeing Dex tonight. I’m having a girls’ night. Ruby, Gia, and Bernie were all happy to oblige my invitation. The plan is food, Netflix, and girl talk. I was just heading back into the living room when a knock comes at the door. I open it up to find Bernie with a large pizza box and breadsticks.
“Oh my God, you brought us Mike’s?” I say, and I have to admit, I bounced a little from excitement.
“Yes, I wouldn’t bring anything else, plus, I haven’t met my pizza quota for the week,” she replies as she walks in and heads for the dining room table.
“Oh, is this the famous Mike’s pizza Morgan can’t stop talking about?” asks Gia.
“Sure is,” Bernie replies as she opens up the box. The pizza is more New York style than original hand tossed, so it’s huge, and the melted cheese glistens under a thin layer of grease and pepperoni. I’m usually put off by cheesy pizza grease, but this pizza does the opposite, and I feel myself start to salivate.
“I can’t even wait for a plate.” I reach down and grab the first piece. “Oh, my God,” I manage to say through a mouthful of amazingness.
Gia brings in plates, and they all get themselves a piece while I stand there shoveling pizza in my mouth like I haven't had pizza in years. I can tell by the looks on Gia’s and Ruby’s faces as they each take a bite, they won’t be able to wait for a plate next time this pizza is in their presence either. Good. Now they can stop looking at me like I’m a madwoman.
I finish my piece and grab my plate and pile on more, then retreat to the couch with the others.
“Yeah, I’m never eating any other pizza ever again. I only ever want this for the rest of my life,” Gia manages. “Why did we wait so long to try this pizza?”
“You know what they say; Pizza is like sex. When it’s good, it’s amazing, and when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good. And this pizza…it’s like mind-blowing,” Ruby says. We all crack up laughing.
“Yeah, ok, Link,” I retort. I’ve heard that phrase come out of Link’s mouth before.
Her cheeks redden for a split second before she recovers, rolls her eyes, and mutters, “Whatever.”
“So, Morgan, is there a particular reason why we are having a girls’ night tonight?” Bernie asks through bites of pizza.
“Honestly, I just wanted to hang out with you girls tonight,” I shrug.
“Yeah, uh huh,” Ruby says.
“And, I need some advice,” I add through a bite of pizza.
“Ok, I’ll accept this. I was wondering why you suddenly wanted to be Dex-less tonight,” Gia says with a knowing look in her eyes. She’s got to know I’m having a relationship freak-out.
“You make it sound like I’ve deserted my girls now that I’ve got a boyfriend! And that’s so not true. We hang out as a group almost more than Dex and I go out just the two of us.” I sass back.
She shakes her head with a smile, swallows and adds “I’m just giving you a hard time, Mo.”
“Actually, I’m wondering why you two don’t lock yourself up more often. You’re both so touchy feely with each other, it’s kinda gross sometimes,” Bernie laughs.
“I second that!” adds Ruby.
“Wow, you guys, tell me how you really feel,” I mutter. They chuckle at that, and we sit in comfortable silence for a long moment.
“Ok, so spill it, Morgan. You’ve been, like, head over heels for Dex for weeks. What’s going on?” Ruby adds.
“I’d just like to add the fact that Dex was just as surprised when you told him you couldn’t hang out tonight,” Bernie says with certainty.
Well, let’s just jump right into the girl talk, boy troubles portion of the night, why don’t we. I really wanted to talk to them about this anyways. Gia knows me the best so she will know where my head is. Ruby is always pretty insightful when it comes to guys, and Bernie is like a sister to Dex so she will be able to provide some solid advice on that front.
With a sigh, I place my plate on the end table. “That’s the problem. I’m head over heels for him, and it's too soon for that. I mean, he just asked me today if I wanted to come with him to his parents' house on Sunday. Isn't it way too soon to be meeting his parents?”
“Ok, so you are freaking out then? It’s not because you want to break up with him?” asks Ruby.
“NO!” I say frantically because I don’t want to break up with him. “No, I just don’t want to be so into him like I am, yet. And I can’t help it, it all just seems to be moving so fast. So yeah, I’m freaking out.”
"Well that makes sense, and I can tell you that he was worried about asking you to meet his family. Mrs. Roberts has actually been asking him since Link mentioned you right after Comic-Con, to bring you home,” shares Bernie. “She’s been dying to meet you.”
“Do you talk to Dex’s parents on a regular basis?” ask Ruby.
“No, but I’ve known them for a few years. They are very supportive of Dex. They flew out to our last tournament. His mom asked me about you,” she says through a smile. “I told her she’d love you, and it’s the truth.”
“Well, great. Now that you’ve talked me up...” I say as I slump back into the couch.
“I don’t know why you’re worried, there is no doubt in my mind that she will love you, and you know it,” scoffs Gia.
“I’m just saying that Dex’s family wants to meet you, but Dex was afraid that he’s going to scare you off. Apparently, he was right, but his family is important to him, and you are important to him. His mom sees that, and she wants to meet you.”
“Why is his mom so excited to meet her, though? Does Dex not bring a lot of girls around?” asks Ruby.
“Well, not really. Mrs. Roberts is dying for one of her boys to get serious about…uh…you know, settling down. Please don’t let that freak you out, Morgan. I don’t think you need to worry about Dex wanting to move fast, it’s just that…you’re special. We all know it. The team, his family, and he knows it.”
I gulp.
“What about his brother?” asks Ruby. Bernie’s face flushes slightly at the question.
“Wade, he’s older and not tied down and far from it.”
“Ahh,” Ruby replies with understanding. I understood, too. Mrs. Roberts really wants at least one of her sons to settle down.
“Ok. Listen up, Mo,” demands Gia, “here’s the deal. I get it. You really like Dex, more than you expected to, so soon into your relationship. Things are moving fast, but you’re an adult. Adult relationships move faster than they did in college, and high school relationships don’t count. So, you need to get over that.” She takes a breath. “As for meeting the parents, if you don’t feel comfortable meeting them yet, then tell Dex. I’m sure he will understand.”
Bernie and Ruby are nodding in agreement “But, I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” she adds.
I know she’s right. I know I’m being stupid. I get inside my own head sometimes, and as she says all this, it makes sense. I feel better than I did at the start of the night, but there is still a hint of panic buried deep in my gut. Sometimes, I don’t remember what it’s like to have a real family. From what I can tell, Dex’s family is amazing. What happens if I adore his family and then this thing with Dex doesn’t work out?
“Ok, ok. You’re all right,” I sigh and force a smile.
“Good. Now text him and tell him you’ll go Sunday,” Ruby says, picking up my phone from the end table and shoving it in my hand.
Morgan: I’ll go with you Sunday.
Dex: That’s good news.
Dex: Is this too soon? I don’t want you to feel like you have to meet them if you aren’t ready.
Morgan: No, I want to meet them. Promise.
Dex: Are you enjoying your girls’ night?
Morgan: Why? Do you miss me?
Dex: Yes.
Morgan: I miss you too. XOXO