Chapter 49

Marshall POV

"Laser tag?" Leila said, face expressionless, staring at me as I handed her the equipment, dressed in high waisted leggings, nikes, crop top and a cropped hoodie and a sleek high pony.

She dressed down as I had asked before picking her up.

Leila casual is something I would never get tired of, she was a vision that's for sure.

That ass in leggings really was something else.

"Yeah figured it's something we're both good at"

"You know I was in enforcement for years right? I'm trained in many guns"

"Yeah well, I'll try my luck"

"Get ready to lose than" She sighed, placing the vest then picking up her gu.

"I'm, I do know how to use guns too you know"

"Please" She snorts, aiming it at me and pulling the trigger "Pistol whipping doesn't count"

She took off in the darkened direction, as the buzzer went for the game to begin.

We played for the time, Leila obviously having the upper hand at the end of it.

Of course, all my years with being indifferent spotlights you would think I wouldn't forget that white glows in blacklight.

Leila was wearing all dark clothing.

She didn't even know.

I groan to myself as I hid being the corner.

This is what happens when you mouth off to your girl Marshall.

God, I hope she enjoyed the last few dates.

I tried to keep them fun and uncomplicated so that I could ease her into dating, I didn't want to shock her into running since she hadn't really dated exclusively before.

And to be honest, I would rather stitch up my mouth with a rusty needle than admit that I was a hopeless romantic.

But I couldn't even deny it.

And I didn't want her to be nervous when I did take her out and show her actual romantic side in full force.

I hear the noise of my vest going off and the lights coming on and turning to see Leila smirking at me.

"God fucking damnit"

"You're not great at this are you?" she said, leaning up against the all casually.

"How could I be with little miss fuckin' SWAT over here" I said rolling my eyes "Some call of duty boss level bullshit"

"It's okay to admit you're not good at something you know that right superman?" she laughed, pushing herself off the wall, tapping my cheek with her palm and walking ahead of me out of the maze.

I followed behind her, enjoying the view, it helped placate my bruised ego for the time being.

Until I tear that ass up next that is.

"You wanna get some food? I know this place not far, does great burgers"

She shrugged without turning to me "Sure, your shout loser"

I grunt in relation as we hand the equipment back and head towards the basement parking.

"What's the next activity that you suck at" She laughs turning to me as we get to the car, I push her up against it, caging her in with my arms.

She looks at me and a small playful smile crosses her lips as I start down at them.

"Keep up the trash talk baby, I'll show you some indoor activities when we get home and I'm about to have you screaming my name in the next few hours"

"After what I've just seen" She snorted "Well see"

This woman drives me absolutely fuckin' crazy, and I love every last bit of the insanity.

---

I was silent on the drive back to my place after we had some dinner.

I was internally seething.

"You have fun tonight?"

I nod, still looking straight ahead.

"You okay? You've been pretty quiet" He says, arm resting on the steering wheel while he glances at me nervously and then continues to stare ahead.

I nod again, my anger and disappointment licking the surface like a flame about to burn through an entire forest.

"Can't wait to do it again, I dig doing these things with you-"

The final thread of my mind snaps, a loud echo through my head as everything boils over.

"And fucking do what? Where are we gonna go, Marshall? To a fucking pottery cafe? Maybe make some goddamn flower pots?!" I yell, the pent up rage hitting me wave after wave.

He snapped his eyes to me looking bewildered.

"Leila I-"

"What is it you want from me, Marshall? Do you want a friendship? Is that what you want? You wanna just fuck me and be friends? Because it's VERY fucking clear to me, you don't need to romance friends you fuck, you asshole"

He frowned at me and went to speak again and I cut him off.

"If I wanted to pretend, I would have just ignored all of this and focused on my fake dates with targets" I said, feeling the flame leave my body, just feeling emotionally exhausted and disappointed in myself "I know for a fact that you romanced your way with Stella and all I'm worth is mini golf"

I had allowed myself to be strung along.

"I'm getting friend-zoned, had I known it was a sequel to he's just not that fucking into you, I would have bailed this and not let my guard down"

I looked around and noticed Marshall had pulled over somewhere.

"You done?" he said, looking at me with his head tilted.

Looking down in my lap I nodded, I just wanted to go home and forget about this whole stupid thing.

I wasn't going to lose myself again in this.

I would forgive him and just move on with life-

"I'm actually crazy about you Leila" He said simply "I chose these dates because I didn't want to spook you, partially because you're pretty much inexperienced and I also wanted to ease you into dating me because I can be quite overbearing once we get into it"

"What? But I thou-"

"Nah you gonna listen to me now" He replied, cutting me off "I like you, more than a friend you lunatic, so I'll tell you what, leave it to me and ill show you"

"Okay, I'm um, sorry" I mumbled, feeling like a complete moron for losing my temper.

"Don't be" he shrugged starting the car again and driving "I'm not the best with communication, I should have known better, I'm sorry baby"

I was embarrassed.

I also knew better not to assume or jump to conclusion.

Guess it's time to buy a pogo stick, because I've been doing nothing but that lately.

"Wanna kick it in front of the tv for a bit? You know, just cuddling and shit?" He said giving me a sheepish smirk.

I gave him a small apologetic smile "Sure, i'd really like that"