The Game of Love

Chapter 7 - The Downhill Slope

The walk home from Hoseok's felt long; longer than it really was. As I walked, with so many thoughts running through my head, I looked at my phone to see the time and noticed a bunch of messages from Bryan. They started out cute, but over the hours I was dark, the texts grew concerned, then fearful that I had ghosted him. I can see how he would think that after bailing on him last night, then not responding all day. I better call him. Hitting the icon next to his name, the phone began to ring. Within a couple seconds, he picked up.

"Candice??"

"Yeah, it's me. Sorry I missed your messages, my phone was dead.", why did I lie to him so quickly?

"I got worried when you never responded. I thought...", he paused, "I started to think that last night was actually a goodbye."

"Don't worry so much, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel that way."

"You must think I'm crazy and needy for getting insecure so fast... I overreacted."

"Not at all. It's nice that you got worried. It means you care."

"I do... I've never dated anyone so amazing. Is it too soon to say that I feel like we have a connection?"

"I think we do, too.", it made me smile to hear him say that. "We have a lot in common."

"What are you up to tonight?"

"Just taking a walk, I'm almost back home."

"It's kind of late, are you sure it's safe to walk around the city after dark?"

"It's not that late, it just gets dark earlier this time of year. But if you are so worried, maybe you should have escorted me."

"I wish I was. I'm bored at home doing laundry."

I needed a distraction from thinking about Hoseok. The sooner I got him off my mind, the sooner I'd forget about him, "Hey, you want to come over?", my mood picked up with a chipper tone.

"You sure it's not too late for that? It might be late if we hang out too long, and we have to work tomorrow."

"So bring your work clothes with you. You can stay the night. We are going to the same place in the morning anyway."

"Are you sure?"

I was... Once Bryan was here, I'd stop thinking about Hoseok, and maybe get to pick up where we left off. "Definitely."

"Not to sound desperate, but I'll be over before you can change your mind!"

"Good!", he better hurry, I was already feeling weird, but why? I wanted this. I wanted 'him'.

We hung up and I walked faster to get home so I could shower and get comfy before he got there. Once my building was in sight, I practically ran to my door. I was excited, even if I was still feeling off about this. It's okay, once I saw him, my head would clear. I took a quick shower and put on some comfy plush PJ's, but when I saw myself in the standing mirror, I made a horrible face and immediately stripped to find something better. This one? No, no... too slutty. That one? Not slutty enough! Damn, why was it so hard to pick something?? Okay, I'll just go with the little shorts and matching tank top set. Good enough.

A knock hit the door and my heart jumped. Fluffing my hair up, I made my way to the door and opened it with a grin on my face, hand on my hip.

"Wow!", Bryan's jaw hit the floor. He nearly dropped the small bag of clothes he brought with him. "I didn't know we were having a PJ party."

"I didn't want to get dressed for such a short time before bed.", I was using my 'buy me a drink' voice.

He came in, keeping his eyes on me, and I pushed the door closed behind him, leaning against it. Okay, so I was being quite a bit obvious, but I knew what I wanted, and I knew he wanted it, too.