Joneses – 11.5 Game On

Laughter erupted around the dinner table as Jared told of his space adventure of the day.

“…and then they surround me and said, ‘We’re coming with you!’ I looked at them and said, ‘…but you’re illegal aliens!'”

After the cacophony of laughter settled, Kaiden asked, “Where are you guys going tonight, mom?”

It was Wednesday, and Wednesday was date night. It took a couple of weeks for the children to get used to their parents leaving them at home, and honestly, Jared and Asia were nervous about it too. However, they had to trust that Kolby was responsible enough to manage things, and the others would be respectful enough to not rock the boat.

“We’re going to the movie theater,” she said carefully.

“What are you going to see?” Kolby asked.

She glanced at her husband quickly. “We’ll decide when we get there.”

“Speaking of which,” Jared said, “We should get ready. Finish your food and start on your homework. I don’t want to see anyone working when we get back.”

They went upstairs, showered, changed their clothes, said goodnight to their children, and scurried off for an evening of fun. When they arrived at their destination, their warm, loving masks came off and gloves went on.

“You ready for public humiliation, punk?” Asia asked.

“Pfffft. You’re going down, woman.”

He knew she was very serious, but it wasn’t that big of a deal for him. He liked seeing her enjoy the things she loved even if her methods of enjoyment were a bit unconventional. These date nights were perfect. Neither of them had much time to enjoy the things they loved, but her time was even more limited than his. If public humiliation was what he had to go through for her to have a bit of fun, so be it.

Underneath the warm glow, infectious smile, excitable, gushy personality was a geeky gamer girl who never had enough game time. Jared wasn’t sure why she felt the need to shield that part of her life from everyone–even their children. He thought the kids would think it was cool to know their mother was a gamer, but she thought otherwise. Sure, it wasn’t usual to see a successful woman, loving mother, and doting wife spend hours in front of a gaming console, but what was so wrong about it? If that’s what she loved to do, let her.

Watching her face light up as she put money in the machine and picked up the ball was worth every insult and jab he would receive that night. She usually was not a competitive person, but when it came to games? Oh. Watch out, world. She showed no mercy. It was one of the things that were so fascinating about her back when they first met in high school. She was always so sweet and bubbly, but that first date they spent at the arcade, she was a different person. It surprised him at first, and he wondered what he had gotten himself into. But, after a few rounds, he found her to be quite attractive in that state. She had been beating the pants off him ever since.

“Cute. It’s only the first round, dear.”

“Come on, baby. You’re not tired already, are you? Hee hee.”

“Not as tired as your defense.”

“Go! Go! Go! YES!”

She’s so cute.

“Come on, Jared! I’m gonna knock that smile right off your face!”

“Cheating? I’m not sure you can cheat in this game, baby!”

“Well…you did SOMETHING!”

“I won that round…THAT’S what I did. HA!”

Four hours.

It was an epic showdown, the first of it’s kind. The game was tied, and they had one round left to play. Both were nervous and had sweaty palms.

“So…last round….You brought your A game,” she said reluctantly.

“Nervous?”

“Never.”

“Let’s go.”

“YAAAAAS!”

It was sufficiently late, and they decided to head home although neither of them had to work the next day. However, Jared needed to lick his wounds. When they arrived at their address, they stood in front of the house grinning at each other like two lovesick teens.

“Did you have fun tonight, Mrs. Pruett?”

“Of course. I beat you,” she said with the sweetest smile on her face.

He chuckled. “You did. I had you on the ropes though…admit it.”

She rolled her eyes. “I was never under the impression you would win that game.”

He snorted. “Likely story. This, my dear, is why I stick to playing games I know I can win.”

She cocked her head to the side. “Oh really? Like what?”

He closed the gap between them and whispered all kinds of sweet, delicious suggestions in her ear. He wrapped his arms around her waist and went in for a deep, passionate kiss.

He didn’t let her go when they came up for air. It had been a while since he held her like that. But, she pulled away from him and began walking toward the house.

“I’m not sure I’m feeling that game,” she said over her shoulder.

He followed her with a devilish grin. “Ohhh. Gonna make me work for it, huh?”

She threw him a sultry glance. “Mmm hmm.”

“Hmph. Some people just have all the luck.”