Page 69 of Debugging Love

“I will eat it,” Drew says, snatching it out of her hand. He stripped down to his boxers mid-tournament and slathered his body with chalky titanium dioxide, which attracted a layer of sand. Now he looks like raw chicken covered in Shake ‘N Bake.

Violet glares at him. “Did you put your grubbies on all the sandwiches?”

“I do not like mustard.”

Violet jumps from her chair, marches over to the cooler, and sticks her head inside.

“Good thing we got ours before Drew put his grubby paws everywhere,” Morgan mumbles.

Christopher walks to the center of the circle and claps his hands together. We all groan before he speaks.

“Can we just eat in peace?” Juanita says.

“Of course. While playing…” After a long pause, Christopher glances over his shoulder. “While playing…”

Bruce grunts. “Oh. Sorry.” He holds up a box.

“Would You Rather, Campfire Addition!”

Several people balk. Violet points out the obvious. “We don’t have a campfire. Fires aren’t allowed on this beach.”

“That’s why we have an imaginary fire!” Christopher says enthusiastically. He grabs the game from Bruce and takes a seat. “Morgan,” he says after pulling out the first card. “Would you rather go glamping or backpacking?”

Morgan scowls. “Neither?”

“You have to pick one.”

“I’d rather stay in a Holiday Inn Express.”

“Not one of the options.”

“Fine. Glamping. But there better be a working shower.”

“This game is lame,” Juanita quips.

“How do you know?” Christopher asks. “We’re just getting started.” He pulls another card.

“Hup!” Juanita says, raising a hand.

“That’s my line.”

Juanita flashes him the quiet coyote sign and then grabs her phone. We wait while she searches something up.

“Would You Rather, Adult Edition.” She shows us her screen. “Drew, would you rather be blindfolded or gagged?”

“No.”

“Would you rather have the lights on or the lights off?”

“No.”

Juanita purses her lips before trying again. “Would you rather wear the same underwear for a month or a stranger’s boxers for a week?”

“No.”

“Christopher,” she whines. “I think your golden boy is broken.”

Christopher waves her comment away. “Ask someone else.”

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