Chapter 29 #2
Before any of us can react, the sound of the microphone crackles, and the host’s voice booms over the speakers.
“Good evening, Emerley.” The crowd cheers back.
“Tonight’s trivia questions are all about Canadian pop culture.
It works like this. I will ask a question; you will quietly consult with your team members and then record your answer on a piece of paper that has been provided for you.
We will do three rounds, five questions each.
At the end of each round, I will ask you to hand in your responses. Are you ready?”
Once more the crowd cheers, clapping their hands and stomping their feet. Ryan winks when I glance over and find his eyes already on me.
“You’re going to lose,” I mouth, sliding a pen and paper towards me.
Doing the same, he shakes his head and says, “Never.”
“First question.” Everyone in the bar quiets down and listens.
“What Canadian band released the song ‘Bobcaygeon’ in 1999?”
Immediately, the group near the pool table sings The Tragically Hip song. I look to my teammates, and everyone nods in silent agreement. We all know and love the song. It’s practically our national anthem.
When I peer at Ryan, he raises his eyebrows.
“Next question. This one may be tricky. What is the name of the Canadian/American animated show that features a talking aardvark?”
“Caillou,” someone yells from across the room.
“Caillou isn’t an aardvark, you idiot,” a teammate scolds him.
“I’ve got this one,” Claire says, writing the name Arthur.
I peek up at Ryan, and he tips his head towards Riot. Of course he would know the cartoon. They probably watch it with Ben.
When the host is confident that everyone has their answers recorded, he continues.
“Which Canadian sitcom follows a wealthy family forced to live in a small town they once bought as a joke?”
“I love Schitt’s Creek,” Meg says loud enough that all the surrounding tables can hear. If they didn’t know the correct answer, they do now.
The host scowls at our table. Slowly raising the mic to his mouth, he says, “Please refrain from blurting out the answers.”
“Oops,” Meg giggles, making a show of zipping her lips and throwing away the key.
Ryan and I lock eyes as we both write the answer. I giggle when he rolls his shoulders and pretends to crack his neck like an athlete warming up for competition.
“Which Canadian-born musician had a breakout hit with the song ‘Call Me Maybe’?”
Once again, the group near the pool table is on its feet singing the Carly Rae Jepsen song. Hannah writes the answer and shows it to everyone to make sure we agree.
I feel the buzz of my phone in my pocket. I’m planning on ignoring it because phones are frowned upon during an active game when I see Ryan raise his to show me it’s him. Rolling my eyes, I discreetly pull it out and read his message.
Ryan
Do you want to know what I’m thinking about right now?
Ways to distract me? Or are you trying to get us disqualified?
Ryan
I’m thinking about my reward
Oh yeah?
I’m intrigued.
Ryan
You should be
Biting my lip, I place my phone away on my lap under the table. Then I hear the host say, “Final question. Which Canadian actors star alongside each other in the 2004 drama The Notebook? You must write down both their names to earn the point.”
The room buzzes as everyone discusses their answers.
A team seated at a table across from us argues about whether it’s Rachel McAdams or Amy Adams who is the leading actress. Another bickers over which famous Ryan it is. Of course, we know the correct answer, and Claire writes it down.
Smiling, I glance down at my phone to text a taunt to Ryan. My face immediately drops when I see a new message from Braden.
My Worst Mistake - Braden
You’re pretty tonight.
I’ve always loved the colour purple on you.
And those boots. Fuck, Becky, you know they do things to me.
My head jerks up, and I look around the room suspiciously. I can’t see him, but he must be here somewhere. I refuse to let him ruin my night.
Not tonight, Braden
I have nothing to say to you
My Worst Mistake - Braden
Don’t be like that
You used to like my compliments
That was a long time ago
leave me alone
I’m out with my friends
My Worst Mistake - Braden
Remember the time we fucked in the storage closet?
Stop
My Worst Mistake - Braden
We could do it again.
Closing my eyes, I draw in a large breath and release it slowly.
I set it face down on the table. This harassment has been going on for far too long.
One minute I’m overreacting, unreasonable, and somehow owe him.
Then he tells me he needs and misses me, swears we can fix things, and he can’t live without me.
This isn’t the first time he has crossed a line and made it sexual.
Our sex life was just as unpredictable as everything else between us. He’d ignore me for weeks, then come back flooding me with attention, suddenly unable to get enough of me. Everything about our relationship was toxic, but it took me leaving to see it.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when the crowd around me starts to move. Chairs scrape back and the noise picks up as everyone moves around the room. Claire collects our answers to take them to the front with Riot.
“Meg and I are going to the restroom,” Hannah says as they stand. “Do you want to come with us?”
“No, I’m going to wait here.”
Meg raises her glass and tips back her head to get the very last drop of her fruity drink. “I want another one of these,” she says, peering down into her empty cup.
“I’ll get you one,” Carson says. “Go with Hannah, and it will be here when you get back.”
“Thank you,” she sings as she walks away.
Hannah’s eyes widen, and her mouth is slack. “What the fuck, Carson?”
“Relax, the last one was a virgin, and this one will be as well.” He turns and walks towards the bar.
“I’d better go after her.” Hannah points to where our normally reserved friend is doubled over in laughter. From what? Who knows?
“Good idea,” I say as I push my chair out from the table. I’m grabbing my phone to put it in my pocket when I feel the buzz of a new text coming in. I peek over to where Ryan is talking to Dillon.
Glancing down, I read Braden’s last message.
My Worst Mistake - Braden
You would like that, wouldn’t you?
I know you miss me.
I quickly text my response.
Fuck off Braden
I’ve moved on and I’m happier than I’ve ever been
I’m finally with a REAL MAN who makes me happy and treats me right.
I watch as the text bubbles come up, pause, then start again. I’m about to power off my phone when his last message comes through.
My Worst Mistake - Braden
You’ll regret that, bitch!