Page 41 of Malice and Surrender
“We usually use something that is….” I started and looked to Avro for help.
“Silly, I guess, is the best word.” Avro shrugged as he popped a strawberry in his mouth from the plate in the middle of the table.
“Yeah, silly. That’s a good word. I mean, we can use one, but I didn’t think you would want one of your songs turned into a drinking game,” I said.
Jace shrugged. “That’s fine, whatever. It was just a suggestion,” he said in that same monotone voice. He seemed dejected and maybe hurt. I stared at him as he pushed his rice around. That was enough of whatever was going on.
“Okay, that’s it. Tell me what the fight was about,” I said.
Avro started to answer, but I stopped him with a hand on his arm. “No, I want to hear it from Jace.”
Jace leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. “You really want to know?”
“Jace, please,” Avro pleaded, and I could tell he just wanted this whole topic to disappear, but we were past that, or at least I was.
“Let him speak, Avro, please.”
Sighing, Avro stood and walked to the sink. Jace’s eyes followed him with every stride. “Fine, you want to know, here it is. We’re arguing over what gaming console to get.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I asked, not sure if this was the truth but pretty sure it wasn’t. I was positive it had something to do with me, and I had no intention of coming between them if that was the case, but a game console?
“Yeah, I want a PlayStation, but he wants an Xbox. You see, we play when I’m on the road, but we’ve only ever had one type, and now he wants to change it. I prefer to keep the same type for a couple more years, so I don’t have to relearn all new games. Anyway, what do you think?”
I couldn’t tell if this was some veiled argument, but the look on Jace’s face was serious as he leaned on the table and stared at me.
“I’m not sure I’m qualified to answer this. I’ve never had either, but if the fight makes you this angry, then…” I glanced over at Avro, who was now leaning against the counter. “Maybe don’t change,” I said tentatively.
“Ha, don’t change. Love that response,” Jace said, and Avro rolled his eyes.
“Yes, but the old system sucks when you’re on the road,” Avro argued.
“Only for you,” Jace countered.
“It’s been three years of bad connection and terrible service. It’s time to try something new,” Avro argued.
“Wow, three years? Okay, I might have to agree with Avro. That’s a long time to put up with a horrible system,” I offered and then wondered why I’d asked in the first place. This was the strangest argument ever. Was this a guy thing?
“But I like my old system. It works well for me, for now,” Jace said, leaning back in his chair. “I’m more than happy to learn any system you want once I’m home more.”
“Maybe, but it feels like it is slowly killing me. Nothing ever feels right, and I’m always panicked for the few moments that there is…a stable connection,” Avro said.
Jace groaned and pushed himself up from the table to pace the room. This all seemed very dramatic for a gaming system. I knew people got into it and chose sides and their favorites, but this was more intense than I’d ever pictured.
“Okay, new idea, hear me out,” I said, and they looked at me. “Maybe it’s time to try something completely new and go with a Nintendo Switch.” I smiled. “You know, get some of those interactive games, and it would be new for both of you.”
Avro and Jace looked at one another and laughed. Just like that, the tension evaporated.
It was the first laugh I’d heard from either of them all night. Avro walked over and held out his hand. “Who knows, maybe you’re right, but I’m not sure arguing over it anymore tonight will make a positive decision.”
Slipping my hand into Avro’s, I stared at him and then looked over at Jace before standing. “For whatever it’s worth, I don’t think you two should argue over this.”
My heart skipped a beat as Avro slid his arm around my waist. “Oh yeah, and why is that?”
“I haven’t spent much time with the two of you together, but it’s easy to see the love you have between you. One console or the other, it doesn’t matter as long as you get to be with one another. Isn’t that what’s most important?”
“And you,” Avro said.
“Me?”
