Check & Mate

by Ali Hazelwood

I let out a laugh—a real one, my first since the tournament started, maybe even since Easton left. Emil stares with a kind, curious expression.

“Ah, yes. You are. Because boo-hoo, your boyfriend paid for your salary without asking for anything in return and didn’t tell you. Cry me the fucking Nile.”

CHESS IS COOL, ACTUALLY.