Page 49 of Love Notes and Late Nights
“I love board games,” Amy replied.
“Me too,” Marshall happily agreed.
“I hope it’s Pictionary,” Wolf said.
“Oh no, mister.” Tyler scolded Wolf with his index finger. “You’re not getting me with that one again.” He turned to Amy and explained. “He’s an artist. Unfair advantage. The word was sand. How anyone can draw sand is beyond me. I drew a bunch of dots that Ethan thought was pepper.” He paused to glare at Ethan for a second. “While Wolf drew the ocean, the sun, and the sand, complete with sunbathers. Van Gogh couldn’t have done it better.”
The captain’s voice came over the loudspeaker announcing that they’d be taking off in a few minutes, and Tyler hurried to place his tote bag under the seat.
“I was hoping he brought Pictionary again,” Wolf whispered to Harris as he fastened his seatbelt.
“You’re an instigator.”
Wolf grinned wider. “I try.”
After the plane took off, everyone moved to the round table that would accommodate all of them for a board game. Tyler opened his bag o’ tricks and pulled out a large rectangular box. “Who’s up for Monopoly?”
“Monopoly?” Wolf complained. “That’s boring.”
“Monopoly is not boring. It’s classic. But this isn’t the classic version.” Tyler flipped the box around to face everyone. “We’re playing the Queen version! Not Queen as in Queen Elizabeth. Queen as in Freddy Mercury in all his fabulousness.”
Harris couldn’t believe it. He’d heard of the spin on popular cities, but never on a rock band. “That’s cool.” And everyone else agreed.
About a half hour into the game, the temperature on the plane dropped, and Harris felt a chill so he asked the flight attendant for a blanket.
“A blanket?” Marshall asked. “It’s like a sauna in here.”
The plane was freezing, but Harris knew better than to argue with the Abominable Snowman disguised as a six-foot guitarist. “I’m cold, and I forgot my sweatshirt.”
“It is a bit chilly,” Amy agreed.
“I’ll keep you warm.” Marshall wrapped his arms around Amy and snuggled close to her.
She looked at him with a big smile. “You’re steaming hot.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you noticed. I hope our RV is cool enough. The temps are supposed to be unbearable this weekend.”
“Why are we going to the desert when it’s a million degrees outside with thousands of people?” Tyler asked. “Why not go someplace where the weather is more amenable, like . . .” He tapped his finger on his chin. “Hawaii? The festival can still be on the beach.”
Ethan pinched Tyler’s chin and smiled as he shook his head slightly. “You’re so pretty.”
“Are you mocking me, Ethan Jones?” Tyler asked, his fist now on his hip. “Because I’ll be giving you a trim tomorrow with a pair of very sharp scissors.”
Ethan ran his hand over the length of his hair which had only grown a few inches since he lost almost a foot of it due to apyrotechnic disaster on stage. “I was serious. You’re very pretty. It’s distracting. I had no idea what you were even saying because I was so mesmerized by your pretty brown eyes and beautiful hair.”
Tyler smirked and nodded. “Yeah. Sure. But I’ll take it.” He looked down at the board. “Harris, it’s your turn.”
Harris picked up the dice and rolled a six. As he bounced his little guitar piece across the board he said, “To answer your question about Hawaii, it’s because there are too many permits and regulations and ordinances. It’s too expensive. Black Rock City was made to put on a festival. Hawaii would never allow anything that crazy.” He landed on Wembley Stadium, which had two arenas, otherwise known as hotels in the original game, and knew it was about to deplete his cash. “Who owns it?”
Wolf grinned. “I do. You owe me $2,000.”
Harris picked up his paper money and started counting it. At this rate, he’d be the first one out. “I suck at this game.”
“We can barter,” Wolf suggested.
“Can we?” Harris didn’t know why he looked at Tyler, as if the guy was in charge.
“Technically, no. But I’m a rule breaker. As long as no one objects, I’m OK with it. Let’s vote.”
