Page 42 of Pucking Enemies


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Once I get to the Cloak website, I grab my phone and go to my messages withClickTease.There are still a few minutes to go until the time we said we’d meet, but I don’t think it’d be a bad idea just to let her know that I’m ready whenever she gets on.

GlideControlZ: I’m ready when you are! No rush, though. I’m early

I move to set my phone down, not expecting to hear from her yet, but before I can lay it on the bed it buzzes. Snagging it back up, I’m thrilled to find she’s already responded.

ClickTease: Hey! I’m actually on right now too. Wanna just start?

GlideControlZ: Yeah! What do you wanna do?

ClickTease: Board games? I’ll warn you, though. I’m pretty cutthroat.

GlideControlZ: Bring it on.

I click on the Board Game tab, and we switch to chatting with the messenger feature on the website.

ClickTease: What do you want to play?

I look at the options. All pretty standard game-wise - UNO, checkers, SORRY - family-friendly. Digital versions of each, of course.

GlideControlZ: How about some good old-fashioned checkers?

ClickTease: Lol, are you eighty or something?

GlideControlZ: What? Afraid I’ll kick your ass?

ClickTease: Oh, you’re gonna regret that, pal. Let’s do this!

We both go into checkers and choose our colors. She starts and I watch as one of her black pieces slides across the virtual board. When I make my first move, she slides one of her pieces next to mine and I take it. Her next one hops over mine in a perfect double-jump. Damn. I smirk. Well played.

As we play, we continue to banter and joke back and forth. She makes me laugh out loud with her wit, her well-timed teasing… and her geeky pop culture references. She might be just as much of a nerd about this stuff as I am, actually.

ClickTease: Hail to the king, baby!

GlideControlZ: Woah! You quoting Ash or Duke Nukem?

ClickTease: Both! And that’s why I keep dominating your ass in this game.

GlideControlZ: It’s just one! Don’t get all high and mighty.

ClickTease: Do I sense some jealousy? Fear of losing lingering in the air above you?

I grin.

GlideControlZ: Just shut up and make your next move

We continue to play for hours, and she schools me every damn time. I’m not usually a man who likes to lose, but if it’s her, I find I don’t mind.

GlideControlZ: So tell me, what’s a deal breaker for you?

ClickTease: Like in relationships?

GlideControlZ: Yeah.

ClickTease: Easy - liars. I will not tolerate liars.

GlideControlZ: I get the feeling there’s a specific reason for that?

She takes a moment to answer, and I worry maybe I’m digging too deep too soon. Finally, my computer dings and hold my breath as I read her response.