Playing Games

I slipped my key into the lock and attempted to push the door open.  It wouldn't budge.  My first panicked thought was that I'd somehow gone to the wrong apartment.  I glanced around furtively, confirming that yes, this is Kate's apartment.  My brow furrowed in confusion as I tried the door again.  Ah.  The deadbolt.  Kate must have locked it before bed and she's still asleep.  The deadbolt doesn't have an external lock that can be opened.

I knocked on the door, lightly at first.  Nothing.  I knocked harder. Still nothing.  Sighing, I pulled out my phone to call Kate.  I could hear it ringing through the door and realized sadly that her phone was in the living room.  I really, really had to pee and mentally begged Kate to wake up and open the door.  I half stepped side to side, praying nobody was watching my "pee dance".  If Kate didn't open the door within the next thirty seconds, I was definitely going to pee myself.  This time I pounded on the door so hard it shook a little.  I waited ten seconds, twenty, thirty.  Not a sound from inside.

I was furious, really.  It's unbelievably rude to lock someone out.  There was a reason we only used the deadbolt when both of us were home!  Cursing under my breath, I stomped my way over to Rob's door.  If he didn't answer, I'd probably cry.  I knocked a little harder than I intended to, feeling sheepish when he answered the door with a bewildered look on his face.

"I'm so sorry to pound on your door, but can I please use your bathroom? It's an emergency!" the words came out in a jumbled rush.

Rob raised his eyebrows without a word, moving aside to let me in.  I practically ran to his bathroom, slamming the door behind me and just barely got my leggings pulled down in time.  Aaand the seat was up, resulting in a soaking wet bottom.  I pulled myself up out of the water to relieve myself.  It was pretty much the best pee of my life.  I've heard guys talk about "pee shivers" before, and now I understood.  I dried the toilet water off carefully, before thoroughly washing my hands and exiting the bathroom.

Rob was lounging on his couch with an amused smirk on his face.

"What's so funny?" I asked. "Seriously, it was an emergency.  Kate left the deadbolt locked and wouldn't wake up to open the damn door!"

"Oh, it's not that.  I heard you cursing in there and remembered I left the seat up.  I can only assume that's what the cursing was for," he laughed, "but then I thought maybe the sight of my face made you sick again!  I have that effect on women sometimes."

With that comment, I burst into laughter.  I had been so embarrassed the previous night when I'd had to rush from the dinner table, yet here Rob was putting me at ease.

"Yeah, I'm a mess sometimes.  And we both know it wasn't your face, it was your blue cheese!" I'd basically pretended the event had never happened while Rob drove us back to our apartment complex.  He'd avoided the topic as well, like a gentleman.  I guess it was fair game to joke and laugh about now.

"I can't help but notice," he smirked again, "but you're wearing the same clothes you wore to dinner.  You have a good night?"

My face flushed.  I had absolutely not intended to spend the night with Eric and hadn't packed a change of clothes.  Luckily, I kept a small makeup bag and travel toothbrush in the car so I could freshen up.  And Rob was calling me out on it.

"I'll take your red face as a yes!"

I blushed harder, somehow, and attempted to shrug non-chalantly.

"Yeah, I had fun.  No big deal.  Thanks, by the way, for letting me in to use your bathroom.  I'm sure you're getting sick of me barging in on you all the time for one reason or another." I attempted to change the subject.

Rob draped an arm around my shoulder and ruffled my hair, much like he'd done to his sister the night before.

"It's no problem, kid.  I kinda like having you around.  You can hang out here for a bit until Kate answers her phone to let you in.  Want a snack or a drink or anything?"

"I am hungry," I admitted. "Have you eaten?  Can I make you breakfast?  I still have two and a half hours before work, I'm sure Kate will be up by then so I can shower and change."

"Hey, I'll never turn down breakfast!"

With that, I made my way to Rob's kitchen to get started.



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Kate had finally woken up to let me in, leaving me just enough time for a quick shower before work.  I had made no attempt to hide my irritation and she seemed contrite.  Unsurprisingly, she'd been sleeping off a heavy night of drinking.  I could tell by the smeared mascara, puffy eyes and stale scent of booze radiating from her.  I'd given her the cold shoulder and went about my day.

Work was fine, nothing interesting had gone on.  I'm becoming friendly with Kaylie, the other girl who is part of the workforce management team.  Our shift only overlaps by two hours, but we've now exchanged numbers and made plans to hang out outside of work in the near future.  She's really been great at teaching me the ropes of my position at work and she's fun to talk to.  I'm looking forward to getting to know her better.

I was headed to Holly's house for a last minute game night.  She sent out an invite on Facebook and i was surprised how many people had accepted.  Obviously, they wouldn't all show up but i was excited.  She hasn't done one in awhile, mostly due to working two jobs and having a boyfriend she spends all her free time with.  I'd barely met him but he seemed nice.  I stopped to pick up some snacks for the group and an iced tea for myself.

Holly answered the door, looking radiant as usual.  She pulled me in for a hug, kissing my cheek.

"I'm so glad you could come!  Is Kate coming?  I haven't seen her in ages!"

I shook my head, "Nah, she's not coming.  She's working tonight."

Holly nodded before asking, "What about Eric, can he make it?  I wanna meet him!"

"He is working late tonight, too.  You know the restaurant business.  Is it cool if my friend Rob comes by?  I didn't want to invite him without clearing it with you first."

"Absolutely, the more, the merrier!"

I texted Rob, asking if he'd be down.  He replied immediately, so I sent him the address.  I made my way to the kitchen and set out the snacks I'd brought.  Holly had already set out a huge punch bowl of sangria, various dried fruit chips, tortilla chips, guacamole and a cheese platter.

People began filing in.  I knew most of them, it was great seeing friends I hadn't caught up with I. Awhile.  Small groups broke off, milling about, snacking, drinking and chatting.  Rob soon showed up and I introduced him to Holly and a few others.

Holl nudged me, whispering, "He's hot!"  I laughed and playfully pushed her away.

Finally,we had a decent sized group together, ready to play.  Catchphrase was always a crowd favorite to get the games started.  Teams were broken off and rules were explained to newcomers.  A rowdy first round had just concluded when the front door opened.

In walked Michael, with Manda in tow.