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"Speaking of video games," he remarked, "remember Fallout 3?"

"Oh yeah, I do. My rant about the final choice in the main game is one of my most watched videos."

"Remember when you leave Vault 101 for the first time? You shield your eyes from the sun, but when you lower your hand the entire Capital Wasteland's laid out before you, and you can go wherever the hell you want?" He reached over and lightly played with one of Sadie's curls. "That's how I feel right now. Like the entire world's in front of me for the first time in my life, and I can go anywhere, and do anything. It's a bit overwhelming, but it's also awesome."

"Any idea on what you're going to do first?"

"Besides you?" Sadie playfully swatted at his hand, causing him to laugh. "Well, I work tomorrow," he began, "but then I'll come home, bring in a couple of boxes from the garage, and then sit down with a bottle of Ruby Red and make a list of all the things I need to take care of, like calling my parents and letting them know I plan on staying in Emerald Pines. Hopefully, they'll let me stay here, but if not I'll need to find my own place. And then, I need to ask you out on a date."

"I thought we were doing lunch at Half in the Bag?"

"Yeah, but I mean an actual date. Like, shower, shave, dress up, go to a restaurant in Aspen, walk around a bit, bring you home, kiss you on the front porch, that kind of thing."

"You know you don't have to do that."

"I want to do that."

Sadie slid her body over so she could curl up with him. "You're sweet," she said. "I'd like that. It's been a while since I've been on a proper date. Most guys bring over a pizza from Joey R's and I'm ready to blow them." Glancing at him, Sadie asked hesitantly, "It doesn't bother you that I'm a hardcore slut?"

"You're not a slut. You like sex. I like sex. We like having sex with each other. As long as we're open and honest with each other, it's not a big deal." He kissed the crown of her head. "But that's a conversation for another time. Let's enjoy tonight and we'll see how our first date goes."

"First date? I like your optimism."

"I like you, Sadie. I want to get to know you all over again. I've seen you on Youtube, but I want to see the real Sadie Bedford."

"And I want to meet the real Garrett West." She rested her arm across his body. "There's a pattern with you... let me talk," she said when he tried to interrupt her. "You're always what people need you to be. I don't mean random acts of kindness, or being nice in general, I mean specifically what they need you to be in that moment. A rebound for Brenda. An unexpected prom date for me. Michelle's sexual lab partner. Another rebound of sorts for Colette. Vienna needed someone to watch her back and Gio, bless him, needed someone to look out for. Hell, even Danny needed you to be a victim. You switch roles and play the part better than most actors, but you're a supporting character in your own life."

She poked him in the shoulder. "You needed to be Michelle's Garrett tonight, but now you need to start writing your story. Because I'm not going to be with someone who doesn't have one. I'll be your friend. You're funny, kind, sweet, and worth a roll in the hay or two. But even if there is a spark between us that we can rekindle, I'm not going to waste my time with someone comfortable with just existing. The last thing I need is to be Southwest Airlines where other people's baggage flies for free. Are you picking up what I'm putting down?"

"If that's your criteria, that's your criteria," Garrett responded. "I'm almost 30. I should have some idea what I'm doing with my life, and just because you're my friend that doesn't mean you owe it to me to carry my water. And you're right. Like I said earlier, I need to start figuring things out. Better to win or lose than never play at all."

"Not knowing is the worst thing in the world, says the girl who owns stock in Clearblue."

"What about you?" he asked. "What's in your future?"

"Well, tomorrow morning I have to drive to Aspen to meet with my accountant, then I have an afternoon Zoom meeting with my video editor, and then I have to set up my stream for the evening. The Resident Evil 2 remake drops this week so I'm doing a speed run through the first game. And then, if you're still awake, I figure I'd come over and we could fuck like rabbits again."

"I'd like that."

"So would I. We could do that right now if you wanted to."

"Only if you remember to play the Final Fantasy music. You forgot the last time."

"Well excuse me," she remarked while slowly climbing on top of him. "I was kind of distracted by some of the best sex of my life."

"Some of?" Garrett's hands immediately slid down to her butt. She sighed as he gave the soft flesh a strong squeeze. "Is that a challenge?"

"No. It's an invitation." As they began to kiss, neither of them noticed the snow that had begun to fall outside the living room window.