Mind Games

“She’s always got an answer.”

“How’d the mice get irradiated?”

“From secret experiments in the secret underground lab run by the villainous Arkol Group that seeks world domination.”

“Okay, that explains it. So not a fantasy game like Endon.”

“I get an Endon backpack for school.”

“No way!” Rem met Bray’s statement with mad surprise. “I want one.”

“Are you going to school with me?”

“I wish. Some fantasy elements because evil secret lab,” Rem explained to Ty. “But heavy on the adventure and problem-solving. The chapter puzzles are a bi…” He caught himself. “A bit challenging.”

“Nice save,” Thea told him. “I’ll read over your copious notes, and make the snakes glow.”

“Great, and you should make Rowena a little more…” When he cupped his hands, palms up, jiggled them, Ty’s laugh nearly had him choking on his beer.

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. Not like—” He widened his fingers. “Just, you know, a little more … personality, considering present company.”

“Spoken like a teenage boy.”

Rem’s eyebrows lifted. “And what’s the most active demographic for video games?”

A breath hissed between her teeth. “Boys, eighteen and under. But the average demo overall is male, age thirty-four, and you’d think by that time a guy would … What am I saying, that obsession never fades.”

“You’re just jealous because you don’t have a big personality.”

“Get off my land.”

“I’ve got to do that. Meeting in town coming up. I’m taking some of those chocolate chip cookies on my way out.” Leaning over, he gave her cheek a noisy kiss. “Love you.”

“The reason often escapes me, but I love you, too.”

“It’s ’cause I’m so charming. Charm’s what landed me a date tonight with a hot blonde with a big personality.”

“What— Who?”

He only grinned and slid off the bench. “See y’all later.”

He jogged into the house, slamming the screen door behind him.

“Bye, bye! Time to play chase with Bunk.”

“What blonde?”

“If I could interject?”

Frowning, Thea turned back to Ty.

“I know a little about personalities. Yours is lovely.”

She rolled her eyes, but she laughed. “Thank you. But damn it, he’s probably right about Rowena. I can beat him, name the game, nine times out of ten. And the ten is only when I give him a break. But he’s got an eye for details at beta level, for little hitches and glitches I might miss, at least initially, because I’m too deep in it.”

“It helps to have someone you can trust with your work.”