“What Canadian band released the song ‘Bobcaygeon’ in 1999?”
Immediately, the group near the pool table sings The Tragically Hip song. I look to my teammates, and everyone nods in silent agreement. We all know and love the song. It’s practically our national anthem.
When I peer at Ryan, he raises his eyebrows.
“Next question. This one may be tricky. What is the name of the Canadian/American animated show that features a talking aardvark?”
“Caillou,” someone yells from across the room.
“Caillou isn’t an aardvark, you idiot,” a teammate scolds him.
“I’ve got this one,” Claire says, writing the nameArthur.
I peek up at Ryan, and he tips his head towards Riot. Of course he would know the cartoon. They probably watch it with Ben.
When the host is confident that everyone has their answers recorded, he continues.
“Which Canadian sitcom follows a wealthy family forced to live in a small town they once bought as a joke?”
“I loveSchitt’s Creek,” Meg says loud enough that all the surrounding tables can hear. If they didn’t know the correct answer, they do now.
The host scowls at our table. Slowly raising the mic to his mouth, he says, “Please refrain from blurting out the answers.”
“Oops,” Meg giggles, making a show of zipping her lips and throwing away the key.
Ryan and I lock eyes as we both write the answer. I giggle when he rolls his shoulders and pretends to crack his neck like an athlete warming up for competition.
“Which Canadian-born musician had a breakout hit with the song ‘Call Me Maybe’?”
Once again, the group near the pool table is on its feet singing the Carly Rae Jepsen song. Hannah writes the answer and shows it to everyone to make sure we agree.
I feel the buzz of my phone in my pocket. I’m planning on ignoring it because phones are frowned upon during an active game when I see Ryan raise his to show me it’s him. Rolling my eyes, I discreetly pull it out and read his message.
Ryan
Do you want to know what I’m thinking about right now?
Ways to distract me? Or are you trying to get us disqualified?
Ryan
I’m thinking about my reward
Oh yeah?
I’m intrigued.
Ryan
You should be
Biting my lip, I place my phone away on my lap under the table. Then I hear the host say, “Final question. Which Canadian actors star alongside each other in the 2004 dramaThe Notebook? You must write down both their names to earn the point.”
The room buzzes as everyone discusses their answers.
A team seated at a table across from us argues about whether it’s Rachel McAdams or Amy Adams who is the leading actress. Another bickers over which famous Ryan it is. Of course, we know the correct answer, and Claire writes it down.
Smiling, I glance down at my phone to text a taunt to Ryan. My face immediately drops when I see a new message from Braden.
