The Game Plan (Game On, #3)(100)

GrayG: Glad to be of service, honey. You can always count on me.

IvyMac: You’re starting to be the first person I turn to. If that freaks you out, tell me. I’ll dial it down.

GrayG: What? No. Don’t take this wrong, but I’ve kind of become addicted to your texts.

IvyMac: Me too. Talking to you is like talking to myself. Only better.

GrayG: It’s scary that I get that.

GrayG: I feel like I can tell you anything.

IvyMac: You can. That’s what friends do.

GrayG: I’ve never been friends with a girl before.

IvyMac: I’m honored to be your first.



The next morning…



GrayG: So as friends, can I still say inappropriate, sex-related things?

IvyMac: Sure. Think of me as just another guy. With a vagina.

GrayG: A. Shudder. B. Yeah, no. C. I had this dream that you were sucking my 8==> But when I looked down, I discovered it was actually a goat…you know. Then I really woke up because I yelled so hard, I fell out of bed. And now I live in mortal terror of goats.

IvyMac: LMFAO! Gray got it from a goat!

GrayG: >:-[

IvyMac: Goat-on-Gray action! Heeeee! Falls down ded

GrayG: You suck, you know that?

IvyMac: No, the goat does! Dies again My sides. My sides!

GrayG: Laugh it up, Chuckles.

IvyMac: Okay. I’m good now. Aw, Cupcake, I’m so glad we’re friends. It means a lot to me. I feel safe with you. Like I can be me without worrying about sex getting in the way of things. Or something.

IvyMac: I’m rambling. Ignore me.

GrayG: Honey, your friendship is a f*cking gift. Don’t ever doubt it.



After a few more texts, and a few hours of going without…



GrayG: So I got into it with Drew. He accused me of trying to f*ck his girl. I would NEVER f*cking do that. Whatever people think about me, I would die before I did that shit.

IvyMac: I’d never believe that of you, Gray. I’m sorry you’re hurt. :-(

GrayG: I’m not hurt. You wouldn’t? How do you know for sure? I’m kind of known as a player. Shit, maybe I should call myself Sir Fucksalot.

IvyMac: Stop it. Any guy who crams into a tiny pink car and willingly drives it around town as a favor to his friend wouldn’t turn around and stab that friend in the back. Player or not, you’re a good guy. And I’m the only one who can call you Sir Fucksalot! >:-[

IvyMac: It’s okay to be hurt, btw. I’d be hurt if my friend accused me of that. Do you want me to come home and kick his ass? Cuz I got skillz. Mad ass-kicking skillz.

GrayG: lol. Not necessary. I know Drew doesn’t really mean it. He’s going through some stuff with his leg being broken. Just. Okay, yeah, it hurt that he took it out on me.

IvyMac: :-( {{{{hugs}}}}

GrayG: Ivy, is it weird that I kind of wish you were home? That I kind of miss you?

IvyMac: No. I wish I were there right now. I miss you too.

IvyMac: Okay. About to go into another tunnel. Txt me later, Cupcake

GrayG: Will do. Thanks for listening, Mac.



Next day…



GrayG: Everything is cool with Drew. He apologized for being a dick. We tossed around the football today. He hadn’t touched one in a while, so that was good.

IvyMac: Good. I’m so glad. I know how much he means to you.

GrayG: I’m going over to hang out with him and his girl, Anna. You’d like her. She’s saucy too. But, you know, not special saucy.

IvyMac: You’re risking your nuts, calling me special sauce. Don’t think I won’t make good on my threat whenever we meet.

GrayG: There you go, talking about my nuts again. One day, we gotta address this fascination you have with them.

IvyMac: Sure, we can address it, and then you can limp away.

GrayG: Empty threats, Mac. You know you couldn’t hurt me. You love me too much.

IvyMac: Whatever, Cupcake. Have fun tonight. Helpful party tip: don’t mention your nuts <—basic rules of polite society 101

GrayG: Damn, you’re telling me this now? The topic of my nuts has always been my go-to conversational opening. O.o

IvyMac: The more you know, Gray.

GrayG: What would I do without you to guide me?

IvyMac: Best not to think about that, Cupcake.

GrayG: Yeah, the idea is too terrible to contemplate. Stay safe, Ivy. I’ll txt later. You gonna be up?

IvyMac: Yes. Don’t think I can fall asleep anymore without your nightly text.

GrayG: Miss you.

IvyMac: Miss you too.



A few days and several texts later…



Gray

If life has taught me anything it’s to appreciate what you’ve got. Take something for granted and it could be gone before you even realized what you had. I learned that lesson from my mom, though I wish every day that I hadn’t. One day she was baking me apple cake and reminding me to study after football practice, the next day she’s pulling me into the den to tell me she had cancer. Hell, I remember every word of the conversation. Every f*cking word punched into my flesh as if they were nails. But particularly I remember how she ended it: Live every day to the fullest, Gray. Appreciate life to the fullest, promise me that.

And I have. I still do. Enjoy the moment. Revel in it. Soak up life and f*ck the rest.