Page 8 of Confessions of a Virgin on a Dating App
As I went to sit down, my phone buzzed again. I studied the growing crowd – the shop was divided into two rooms, one for retail and one for gaming. In the gaming room, about twenty patrons were clustered around the six long tables, chatting and trading cards. I was the only woman there, which happened often. Cassidy had to work late that night, which meant I would be on my own.
My pocket buzzed again as I slouched in my chair. I pulled out my phone, eager to read Tristan’s latest message.
You go to a game shop every Friday night? That’s so cool! Where is it?
“Hey Avery!”
My typing fingers were interrupted by a sudden shout. I looked up and immediately grinned. It was Aaron, one of my closest friends at the shop. He hadn’t been able to make it in a few weeks, so I was surprised to see him. I was also surprised that he’d dyed his hair a new color—bright lime green.
“Hey!” I waved back as Aaron slid into the seat next to me. “Is Cass coming tonight?”
I shook my head, “She has to work late.”
“Ah.”
Aaron’s frown caused a knowing smirk to light up my face. He hadn’t been subtle about his crush on my best friend. But Cassidy was oblivious, and Aaron was too big of a chicken to ask her out, which meant that I had the joy of watching him fawn all over her every time all three of us were at the shop.
“Anyway, what decks did you bring?”
Aaron began pulling out his own deck boxes just as Devin shouted that they would be starting in a few minutes. I pulled out my phone again, my eyes lingering on Tristan’s last message as I typed a response.
It’s near downtown. It’s called Critical Games. Anyway, we’re about to play the Creatures & Crypts TCG, so you probably won’t hear from me for a few hours.
I smiled as I hit send. This was good for me. I needed to spend the night enjoying a card game with my friends and not fretting over my datinglife.
And just as Devin began announcing pairings, my phone buzzed one more time.
Sounds fun. Have a great night!
“Alright, everyone, we’re going to start TCG Night,” Devin sauntered over to the gaming tables and gestured for the crowd to pay attention. “I’m assuming you’re all here for theCreatures & Crypts TCG?”
There was a collective nod.
“Excellent. Now, I know we sometimes have some newbies in the crowd. Does everyone know how toplay C&C?”
“C&C? I thought this wasMagic: The Gathering!” a sudden voice sprung from the crowd, eliciting a few giggles.
“Shut up Chris,” Devin scowled playfully. “Alright, go find your assigned pod and get started.”
Thankfully, Aaron and I were together for the first game. TheCreatures & Crypts TCGwas a four-player trading card game, played with 100-card decks centered around a single “captain” card. It had been my favorite trading card game for years, ever since I first walked into Critical Games when I moved to Orlando.
Devin was the one who taught me how to play. And he was the one who helped me pick out my firstC&Cdeck.
Ugh,I grimaced.Why are you even thinking about him right now?
Another vision of his chest tattoo flashed in my mind, and I clenched my hand of cards tighter.
I forced myself to shift my thoughts back to Tristan, endlessly wondering what he would be like in person.If he’d look like his profile photo. What his voice would sound like. If he would be able to carry on a conversation.
I knew I was jumping the gun. I shouldn’t have felt butterflies before I’d even met the guy. But I couldn’t help it. Especially since I knew that if the first date went well, I’d be head over heels for him. I was already halfway there.
I frowned when I realized that he hadn’t actually asked me out yet.
“Uh, Avery?” Aaron nudged my shoulder with his. “Your turn.”
“Oh, thanks.”
Goddamnit. Focus.
