how long til you wake?

“Thanks.” She chuckled at his comment as she turned back towards the table. “What exactly is a hot pocket anyway? It sounds like one of those things that are so bad, that they’re actually good.” 

“That is a good way to describe them actually. Though certain flavors I stand by being good over others. Looks like sometime I’ll have to return the favor in making dinner and introduce you to the American staple. Might leave you with some regret but it feels mandatory.”

“And you didn’t think to say anything or ask for help?” Although, it occurred to her once the words were out, there wasn’t a real reason why he would ask that of her. “How can I help you?”

“You looking to tone up by lifting some steel beams?” He asked playfully with a small smirk. “Well if you have a gift card to a massage place or if you could just stay in one spot while we talk so I don’t have to move my head, that would be appreciated.”

“Excuse you? How have you been functioning the past few days if you can’t move your neck? What happened?”

“I’m not going to lie to you, Mace. I have not been functioning well. I pulled it lifting shit and work and I thought that I could use the weekend to rest it and be fine. My neck did not go along with that plan.”

“What the hell did you do?” Gemma chuckled. “Does it hurt or is it just stiff?”

“You know, just some really manly man stuff,” he put some roughness in his voice as he joked. “Both. Well it only hurts if I don’t keep my head perfectly still.”

“Well, in that case I guess we’ll have to find a famous quote-themed trivia night somewhere. I don’t know Lincoln’s famous speech either, but I’m sure I can remember a few ‘impressive quotes’. I don’t even think I’ve seen Ace Ventura, so you’re definitely an asset to the team.” Gemma offered with a soft chuckle. “Maybe a little bit. How can I possibly believe you with not even a slight demonstration of your unique talents?” 

“You... You have never seen Ace Ventura? I thought that you were supposed to be an educated woman and yet you have missed out on such a masterpiece?” He shook his head in disappointment though he didn’t know if she would actually like it. If she would actually find any of his interests actually interesting. “I can’t believe that you are making me prove myself to you. But fine. You want to see something?”

“And what would that very unique and catered night look like, then?“ She wondered, hoping to get to know him a little better. "You see, this just kind of feels like a cop-out. What if you never decide to actually show me, how could I possibly believe your extremely unique skills are there?” 

“A lot of quotes. But not like impressive ones you know like Abraham Lincoln’s famous speech but like I can basically recite the whole Jim Carey’s Ace Ventura,” he admitted with an embarrassed laugh. Gemma was cultured and intelligent. And while she was so easy to talk to he definitely fell short. “Correct me if I’m wrong here but this sounds like you don’t believe me? Are you doubting my talents?”

“Then you just haven’t found the right theme night.” Gemma shrugged as a reassuring smile formed. “I appreciate that, though I’m definitely wondering what you consider to be your ‘unique skills’.”

“Trust me when I say that would have to be a very unique and catered night.” Matt couldn’t help but look at her smile and smile a bit himself. “Oh, well, I can’t just tell you. I mean I have to calculate when I show those kind of things because if I just go on boasting about it then I just come off as arrogant and cocky. But they’re there.”

“Is this you telling me you suck at trivia?” Gemma wondered with a slight smirk. “That entirely depends on just how extreme that ass whooping is. As long as you don’t make me look too bad, I’m sure I’ll be very forgiving.” 

“It just somehow turns out that the vast amount of useless information that I have is even useless when it comes to trivia,” he admitted with a defeated tone. “I’ll try to tone it down but you know I can only try to hide my unique skills so much.”

“I’d say I’m competitive when I’m good at something. So if you suck at say, a pub quiz or a game like 30 seconds, I’ll likely get extremely frustrated. Won’t throw a fit, but get close to that.” Gemma chuckled. “Though, when I suck myself I’m all good.” 

“Got it... So just so you are aware the next trivia night I just happen to be very busy because I don’t know that I could take seeing that anger on your eyes.” Matt smiled. “Alright so if I end up whooping your ass in something then we can just both admire my skill.”

“Rights of passage are so different for men, it still blows my mind.” Macy laughed a little and just took a sip of her drink. “I’m not sure if that’s exactly on my to do list for the night, but I’ll keep it in the back of my mind. What about you? Revisiting your glory days?” 

“Oh yeah? Touching another girl’s boob wasn’t a highlight for you?” He asked in a serious tone before a smile gave way. “I think you should really consider it. Uh no. I think that I will keep the glory days the glory days. Keep the night PG.”

“Fair enough.” He did have a point, and frankly his option sounded much better anyway. “Alright, then let’s do this and at least attempt to win while we still can.”

“Just so you are aware there may be a high chance that we won’t win and I want to know what kind of reaction I should be ready for. Like do you rage out? Cause if so you asked the wrong guy here tonight.” He almost said asked the wrong guy on a date, but he didn’t know if that was what this was.

“I mean that’s a little embarrassing, but I guess that’s what it’s for. No we did truth or dare, spin the bottle, all of those things but somehow i must’ve been busy during Seven Minutes.” 

“There is no guy that will ever find it embarrassing. It’s a right of passage. You may be able to make up for it tonight. See what you missed out on.”

“I’m guessing the game will probably get easier the more you’re drinking too.” Gemma chuckled. “Okay, so what do I do?”

“Or it gets harder and you just don’t give a shit?” He suggested with a laugh. He was just glad to have this time with her more than he cared about the games. “I think you start with the cards first and do what is on it?”