I spy a gaming controller on his tv stand and I move closer to see what it is. It’s the same one we keep in the living room at home. Mostly because it’s the only one with games I know how to play. The ones Isaac plays aren’t anything I can get into no matter how much I try. He always hands me a controller, but I typically die within minutes. Sometimes even seconds.
I grab the remote and controller and turn on the TV. I also press the power button on the console. The output I need lights up, and I press it. With any luck he has the games I know.
His profile pops up, and I fight the urge to click on it. Just because I’m not the type to go through his house, it doesn’t mean I won’t check out what games he’s playing.
My finger hovers over the button before I use the joystick to select the guest profile. Hopefully I can still play whatever games he has on here.
Multiple games fill the screen. Some of them are the same ones Isaac plays, and I have a feeling they’d get along great. Well, aside from the fact that he’s much younger than me, and I’m not sure my kids want to see me dating anyone else.
I move the joystick around until I find a game I absolutely love. It’s a simple racing game, but it is so much fun. I loved it as a kid, and my own hate playing with me because I always beat them.
Selecting my character, I pick the tracks I want to race on. I always avoid the ones with water because it never fails. I get stuck going slow by taking too wide of a turn.
Racing cup through cup, I’m engrossed in this game. Someone clears their throat and I jump, hitting a banana peel another car has thrown into the road.
“You should probably lock the door when you’re here at night alone.” Eric stands by the table with a bag in his hand. “And now that I know you like to play video games, it’s on.”
“Shhh, I’m trying to concentrate.” I’ve been knocked into third place and that just won’t do. I hit a box and a star pops out of it. This is what will win the race for me. I hurry through the obstacles knocking people out of my way until I cross the finish line.
“Are there any other games you play?” Eric sets the containers on the kitchen table and I set the controller on the table in front of me. He doesn’t bring up the incident at the bar, and I’m grateful. It’s not something I want to dwell on.
“Not really,” I stand to join him. “Isaac keeps trying to get me to play the zombie games with him, but they take me out almost as soon as I get started. I’m more old school.”
Gah, that makes me sound ancient.
“There’s nothing wrong with that.” He slides a chair out for me to sit. “All these games have become popular again. I remember Patrick trying to get that tiny console that has all the games on it so he wouldn’t have to buy a gaming console and individual games. Come to think of it, I actually don’t know if he ever got it.”
I know exactly what he’s talking about. I begged Keith to find one for me, but they were sold out at all the stores. The only place he could find them was an online site, and they were marked up for way more than they are worth.
Shrugging, I sit down in the chair as he pulls orange juice out of the fridge. Grabbing two glasses he joins me at the table. “You can’t mess with the classics.”
“True.” He opens our containers and hands me the silverware they included. “Do you play often?”
“Not really.” There’s not enough time in the day for me to enjoy myself. It’s one of the reasons I’m protective of my Sundays. It’s the one day I don’t have to do anything. Well, besides get everyone ready for the next week and wash all the laundry accumulated over the week. “By the time I get home from my other job, it’s time for dinner then running the kids around to various practices. And the weekends are pretty much booked with games and work.”
“I guess that means we’ll be gaming over here every once in a while.”
“You act like you’re going to get more chances at a date with me after next weekend.”
He points his fork at me and grins. “You act like you’re not.”
Wow. Someone is cocky tonight. Right now, though, I can’t really deny that. The more time I spend with him away from everyone else, the more I want to get to know him.
“So, does tonight count as a date?”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“Because we aren’t going out anywhere. Yes, I bought dinner. Or would it be a super early breakfast?” He tilts his head to the side. “It doesn’t matter. But technically I haven’t taken you out. Therefore, it’s not a date.”
“You realize that doesn’t make any sense. It’s perfectly fine to hang out at either of our houses, preferably yours, and call it a date.”
“Why mine?” He seems genuinely curious.
But how do I explain I don’t want to introduce him to my kids if we’re only going to date a few times. Hell, how do I know he won’t find me boring and move on to someone else?
Someone his age that has the freedom to do things without having to work around a schedule with kids. It really isn’t fair to him. I take a few bites of my food to gather my thoughts.
