Page 40 of Confessions of a Virgin on a Dating App
“Hey, wait up!” I announced.
I waited for the crowd to fall silent, and I continued.
“I haveGuiding Hit,dummies,” I scoffed. “And I haven’t used it yet this round. Which meant that 8 is actually an 18, so…”
Laughter, now aimed in Cameron’s direction, roared through the crowd. I swore I could see angry steam wisping out of his pierced nostrils.
“And for damage,” I continued. “I roll…”
“Don’t bother,” Cameron grumbled. “I only have two hit points. I’m dead.”
More laughter, followed by cheers, flowed through my eardrums and left my brain buzzing as if I’d just downed a huge dose of caffeine. My heart thumped madly in my chest, and my limbs began to shake.
I had been so determined to win. But to have it actuallyhappenwas incredible.
“Congratulations, Avery!” Jordan announced as he and the few remaining spectators clapped. “Thank you to everyone for attending! Our final four players can collect their prizes at the front desk. Everyone else, have a good evening!”
The spectators shuffled out the door until only the top four players remained, all lined up at the cash register to obtain their prizes. Cameron flashed me a wicked glare as he stood behind me, his bulky frame towering over my petite one. But behind those fiery eyes, I saw a small, congratulatory smile.
Everyone at the shop was competitive. And as one of only three girls in the entire competition, it sent a small bubble of pride through my chest to have beaten the boys.
“Congratulations, Avie.”
That same familiar voice crept up behind me, just as it always did. But this time, I was overjoyed to hear it.
I turned around to see Devin’s black-clothed frame hovering over me, his arms still crossed over his chest. But on his face was a smile. Not his usual smug, teasing smirk, but a genuine smile of praise. His green eyes swirled with a warmth that I rarely saw from him, and it made me beam from ear to ear like a giddy idiot.
“Thanks, Dev.”
“What dice do you want? I can grab them for you.”
My eyes flicked over to a stand atop the counter, where all the basic resin dice sets were stored. “I want the ones with little cows in them.”
Devin snorted. “Why cows?”
I shrugged. “They’re fun. When you already have like six full dice sets, you start picking up the more…whimsicalones.”
“I see,” Devin smiled, a hint of his usual smirk returning to his face. “Cows are cute. You’ll have to play a minotaur character sometime and use them.”
Cameron finished up ahead of me, and Jordan announced that he needed to head out to pick his toddler up from daycare.
“No problem,” Devin waved Jordan away as he stepped behind the counter. “I can take care of things from here. Have a good evening. And thanks for all your help.”
“Of course, man! Bye!”
Jordan strode out the front door, with Cameron right behind him. An uneasy silence settled over me as I realized Devin and I were the only ones left in the store.
“So, Koopa did win after all,” Devin smirked. “Defeating Mario will be a piece of cake after dealing with everyone tonight.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re such a dweeb.”
“Am I?” Devin pressed a palm to his chest in mock offense. “Well, it’s a good thing I run a game shop then.”
I smiled. We truly were all dweebs here. But we were in good company, and Critical Games had been a lifesaver when I first moved to Orlando.I wouldn’t be who I am today without it.
“So, one cow dice set,” Devin plopped the plastic case on the counter in a dramatic fashion, resting his palm over it. “And if I remember correctly, you wantedCremara’s Horde of Dragons, didn’t you?”
I scoffed. “Good memory. But specifically the special edition one, which…crap.”
