Check & Mate

by Ali Hazelwood

“I like it better when men shut their mouths and stuff their rooks up their asses, but clearly we can’t always get what we want.”

Nolan stares like I’m the center of gravity of the room, like nothing else ever existed but me in all of space and time.

“Can I kiss you?” “But our game— ” “I resign. You win. Can I kiss you?”

“I want everything.” His tone is calm. Matter-of-fact. Naked, in a way that has nothing to do with his clothes. “I’m all in.”

“I think it’s easier for you to be with people when you feel needed than when you need them. Less risky. Less messy, right?”