Benny twirls a pawn between his fingers, smirking like he already knows how this is going to end. "You sure you want to do this?"

I cross my arms, unimpressed. "Just make your move, Watts."

He chuckles, leaning back in his chair like he has all the time in the world. "Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you."

The game starts slow, both of us calculating, waiting for the other to slip. I know his style—controlled, methodical, always five steps ahead. It’s frustrating. It’s also why I’m determined to win.

"You’re thinking too hard," he says, tapping the edge of the board like he’s already bored. "That’s why you lose to me."

I scoff. "You wish."

A few more moves, and the board starts to shift in his favor. My knight is gone. My position is weakening. He’s grinning now, like he can already see how this ends.

I bite my lip, scanning the board. Then I see it. A single move. One he didn’t account for.

I slide my bishop forward, my fingers light on the piece. Benny blinks.

Then frowns.

Then groans.

"Are you serious?" He leans forward, staring at the board like he can undo it if he just looks hard enough.