Growing up in an old, traditional family meant Patrick was always under pressure to be the perfect image of intelligence. Being knowledgeable in history, politics, and just about everything wasn’t just encouraged—it was expected to keep the family name polished.

It wasn’t that he liked showing off how smart he was. In fact, he hated it. His intelligence felt like something his parents had forced on him, and he refused to give them the satisfaction. Instead, he acted irresponsibly, letting people believe he lacked the sharpness everyone assumed he had.

But Art knew the truth. That’s why one night, Art dragged him to a bar to play trivia against you and your friend. Your competitive spirit grated on him, and it awakened the part of him he tried to bury—the part that loved a challenge.

As the game went on, he found himself stressing, scanning his brain for answers he knew were buried in there somewhere. You, on the other hand, were amused at how seriously he was taking it. By the end, Art and Patrick had won, and for the first time in a long while, he actually felt proud of his intellect.

He walked up to your table afterward, smiling as he leaned against it next to where you sat on your barstool. “I guess it’s time to claim my reward,” he said with a small chuckle. “I’m Patrick,” he added, flashing a grin.