“That’s the spirit,” Mickey comments while I struggle to even figure out how he got his screen to show that he’s ready. Then I decide that pressing the buttons is more fun than any of that nonsense, especially because, on occasion, it makes what is happening on the screen change. I notice Riley leans forward as if he’s trying to shield me from Vero’s smirking face.
“He’s really smart in other ways,” Riley says.
I stop pressing buttons and look over at him. “Why am I more offended by that than Vero smirking over there?”
“The game is starting, my friends,” Mickey says. “And you’re all staring at each other instead of the screen. I wish someonewould stare at me, at least. I’m the one who got shot and is all sad.”
Pointing at the screen, I ask, “Why is Vero’s car already so much farther ahead than everyone else’s?”
“Because you’re pointing instead of playing,” Riley says as he reaches over to try to help me.
I press a button that immediately makes me plummet to my death. “Was that supposed to happen?”
“Not really,” Riley says. “See how this one turns you?”
“The only thing that can turn me on is you.”
“Turns the kart! Not turns me on!” he protests.
“You like it when I play with your knob too.”
“Torin!”
Mickey huffs. “Why the hell is Vero so good at this? I was supposed to win and then I was going to make you guys do something for me.”
“This is the most unexciting thing I’ve ever done with three other men,” Vero says. “And one time I was given three men as a sacrifice.”
“Did you sacrifice them?” Riley asks.
“I tried but my blade was too dull, so I decided they could just clean for me instead.”
“What the fuck? Youtried?”
“That guy was fine. He didn’t mind at all. Or was he the one who tried to assassinate me in my sleep… nah, that was someone else. No, he was with me willingly until he died. Worshiped the shit out of me until his death.”
“Like… of old age?” Riley asks, plainly invested while I’m over here just trying to chug along and keep this stupid buggy on the track as Vero and Mickey fly past me. Riley’s given up on me and is off trying to catch up with them.
“If I win, none of you may speak to me unless spoken to,” Vero declares.
“You can’t shout that just as you cross the finish line!” Mickey says.
“Human, you are speaking out of turn.” Vero smirks. “What is that sad pitiful thing doing on the bottom right screen?”
“Going for a leisurely stroll, taking in the sights,” I grumble as Mickey starts a new game before I can even rejoice in my ability to stay on the track.
“How about if I win… we’ll go ride roller coasters again,” Riley says with a wicked grin.
Now that horrifies me even more than Vero’s declaration that we may not speak. “Why do you insist on torturing me?”
“Your specimen is even scared of a simple roller coaster?” Vero asks before tsking. “Whatdoyou find attractive about him?”
“Everything,” Riley says, and I notice that this time he doesn’t pity me at all, he merely leaves me behind as I wonder why we can’t just watch the video of me riding on Riley’s back.
When it becomes apparent that Riley is going to win and I’m going to be stuck protecting my testicles on another roller coaster, I decide that I want anyone else to win. Even Vero.
“Roller coasters aren’t really needed, are they?” I ask. “Riley, please change your demands.”
“I refuse,” he says, and it hits me that I have to betray the man I love to save my dignity. I drop the ridiculous button machine and pull out a candy bar. Kit’s head whips around to face me while Riley lets out an inhuman noise. “Kit! No! We’re winning!”
