Chapter 11 -- Outside the Lines
After my escapade with Emma at the bar, the rest of the week was a blur. I spent most of it in my office reflecting. I thought about this game and these women, not with regret or disappointment but with much admiration and love. I tried to keep my emotions in check but I very much wanted to give each of them a very big hug. I wanted to avoid repeating the mistakes I felt I had made with Vivian. The upside was that I was no longer in pain missing Penny, though I thought of her often and looked forward to her return.
A great deal of time was also spent thinking about Emma. She had started this game but over time she had become just a fringe player. When we started, she seemed invincible, only to have that image destroyed by Sienna and then to bounce back with grace, class and dignity. We all knew that she cared for us and that she would do anything to protect us, but it seemed that she wanted more. While she would never ask for it, there was an unmistakable feeling lingering over us that Emma wanted her game back. She did not want to undermine Penny or slight anyone else, but there was a powerful feeling that Emma wanted to be in charge again. I knew that I was not the only one who thought this to be the case. It also occurred to me that like a great athlete late in their career, on any given night Emma could remind us all, and specifically me, that she still has the talent and will to run this game flawlessly.
Before I knew it, the week was over. I closed out the day Friday early, just not wanting to be in the office anymore. It was around 4pm when I shut down and headed for the door. On my way out of the office, I noticed Nikki was sitting at her desk with her hands in her hair. I stopped when I reached her and smiled at her.
"Rough week," I asked playfully.
"Ugh," she replied. "I can't wait for Penny to get back."
"I can't disagree with you, but I am surprised to hear you say that," I admitted.
"Emma runs a great office, but when she's running the game everything else takes a backseat," Nikki vented.
I was really blown away by this statement. Nikki had never been one to question who was in charge or complain about things. This was new and extremely interesting. I didn't think we should discuss it any further in the office.
"Would you like to go get a drink," I offered.
Nikki smiled, nodded and began shutting down her computer. She grabbed her pocketbook and I offered her my hand. She accepted it lightly and I led her out of the office. She followed me on the short ride to Millie's. Walking back in there I felt very awkward. We sat at the bar and I excused myself to the men's room.
When I returned, Nikki was sipping a white wine and giggling. I sat on the stool next to her and she covered her mouth with her hand as she continued to chuckle to herself.
"What's so funny," I asked her as I ordered a beer.
"Those two guys just bought me a drink," she laughed. "Even if I was available I wouldn't go for two douchebag preppies like that."
I looked past Nikki to the two guys seated at a table on the far side of the bar. I almost fell off my barstool when I saw that it was Brian and Ted. They stared at me as if it were not possible that I had showed up here again. I could not help but laugh along with Nikki. They were just two guys with no clue about women. It was almost sad yet it continued to be funny. I stopped laughing when I saw them stand from their chairs and begin walking towards us at the bar. When they reached us, Nikki turned to greet them with a smile.
"Thanks for the drink," Nikki said to them.
"You're welcome," Ted replied. "I'm Ted and this is Brian."
"I'm Nikki," she informed them playfully as she extended her soft, perfectly manicured hand. "And this is-"
"We've met," I interrupted her introduction of me as both Ted and Brian shook Nikki's hand.
"Oh really," Nikki postured.
"Yeah, your boy was in here with another blonde on Monday," Brian informed her.
I was pretty sure that Brian thought he was damaging my chance to score with Nikki based on the grin that spread across his face. I didn't flinch, which seemed to irritate him some. These guys had underestimated Emma and now they were, without a doubt, underestimating me. I rather enjoyed it, much like a hamster enjoys his wheel. But much like that, I was going to get bored with these two sooner or later.
"Is that right," Nikki gasped with a very mocking tone as she turned towards me. "Who was it?"
I took a long sip of my beer and set the bottle gently back down on the bar.
"It was Emma," I confirmed.
