The morning came, and we went to Darren’s favorite breakfast spot called Golden Egg. I thought I had been to every diner in the area, but I hadn’t been to that one. We left the house as soon as we woke up, part of me hoped to meet his mom, but she was still sleeping.

At Golden Egg, we ordered. We shared some laughs, and the conversation flowed smoothly until the subject changed abruptly.

“So, last night, you said you wanted to talk about something at breakfast. What’s on your mind, Gordie?” Darren asked.

I smiled. It almost felt like a business conversation. “I wanted to talk about elite crushers. You’re pretty good. Two years ago, I played at the Chicago tournament. You know, the second largest one they have. I was 14 at the time, and I lost to Dayzees, but I was in the top 64 players.”

“You lost to Dayzees? I hope you don’t feel bad about it. That’s the best player in the world.”

“Still? I thought the top guys rotated at the number one spot?”

Darren shook his head. “Ever since his first tournament, he’s been at the number one spot.”

“Wow, I haven’t been following since…” and just like that, I was on the verge of tears.

“What was it like playing against Dayzees?” Darren said quickly.

“He was brutal and a huge jerk too. He kept making fun of me. I was just fourteen, though, so my skin was pretty thin, and I got pretty upset by it.”

“So is that what you meant yesterday when I said that Wyatt couldn’t stand the big personalities, and you agreed?”

I cocked my eyebrow and smiled. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I was referring to. And you know what, I really want to get revenge on him.”

“Really? How so?” Darren asked, looking at me with a slight bit of concern.

“Obviously, nothing malicious or harmful, but I want to beat him and his cronies. You know how Elite Crushers does the special 8 team tournament? They still do that, right?”

“Yeah, you’re referring to the top eight players who assemble a team of three others? Just as long as they aren’t in the top sixteen?”

“Bingo. This is what I wanted to talk to you about. I got to thinking last night as we were playing, what if we teamed up? I think we could take his team down. I still have to meet Wyatt, but if your cousin is as good as you say he is, he could probably make it to the top 32 players in the world, piece of cake. That’s really the opportunity we need because from there, he’s just a few games away from the top eight because you say he’s better than you, right?”

Darren nodded. “Yeah, he’s definitely better than me, but there’s a little caveat to that plan.”

“What do you mean?”

“Wyatt is much better at the game when he’s been drinking alcohol. I don’t know what it is or how it works for him, but when he’s sober, he’s good, of course. But after he’s had a few drinks, he becomes untouchable.”

“What?”

“We’ve played it a bunch, and Wyatt’s also noticed it. He’s 23 years old, and when we play on the weekends, he likes to have a few beers, and as we play and he drinks, Wyatt becomes a wizard at the game.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Nope, I’m not. I wish I was. I would say he’s a little bit better than me when he’s sober. I can still steal a few games from him here in there. After he’s had a few, though, I think he might belong in the top sixteen best players. No joke.”

I scratched my chin, wondering if I tried alcohol if I would be better, but I shook my head. I had never heard of that happening, and I had little interest in consuming something that poisoned my body. “What about you, Darren? Have you tried drinking and playing?”

“Yes, I have, but like everyone else, it doesn’t do much. I’m not the same player when I’m under the influence, much worse as a matter of fact.”

“Well, this really complicates things. My plan was, if we get Wyatt in the top eight, then he’ll get an invite to the special tourney. He’ll be asked to assemble a team, and he can pick us as his free agents, and then all we have to do is just find one more person. The more I think about it, though, alcohol would be used as a performance enhancer, and he’d probably get banned.”

“Yeah, if they found out.” Darren smirked.

“It would be pretty obvious if he’s taking pulls from a flask mid-match.”

“Not if he does it in the bathroom, in a stall or something before his game.”

“Oh, man.” I rubbed my forehead. “I don’t like the sound of that. Let’s see how he plays in a tournament when he’s completely sober. I’d like to save the alcohol stuff as a last resort.”

“I get it. Yeah, we should talk with him sometime. The three of us should hang out and play a few games. I would be down to try a big tournament out,” Darren said with a bright smile. “So you’re just out for revenge on Dayzees?”

“Well, I’d like to get back in the scene to see if I could become a professional player or something. That’s the most important thing to me and the most likely. It would be awesome to get revenge on Dayzees, though, so that’s encouraging, but if we made it to that special eight-team tournament, do you know how much money we’d make?”

Darren shook his head.

“I think just for qualifying and agreeing to play, you get $10,000. Then if you win, you take home $1 million. That’s insane.”

“Yeah, but that’s split between four people just for agreeing to play. You

can’t rely on that 1 million. Do you know how slim the odds are that we would even win?”

I nod with frustration. “Yeah yeah, I know, but we have to aim big. I really think we might have a shot at this.”

“Well, before you get too carried away, you still have to meet my cousin Wyatt, and we also have to convince him to play in the tournament. So let’s focus on the small and achievable goals first.”

“I like your thinking, Darren. Do you know if Wyatt’s free today? I’d be down to drive over to his house to meet him and play a few matches.”

Darren chuckled. “Wow, you’re really excited about this. Yeah, I could call him. Why don’t I do that right now.”

He pulled out his phone and dialed Wyatt’s number as I stared with eyes bulging. The phone was on speaker, and each ring made my heart beat faster.

“Yeeeellow!” Wyatt greeted.

“Yeeeellow!” Darren said back.

“What’s happenin’ cuz?”

“Oh, nothing of much. Hanging out here with my new friend Gordie.”

“Ooooh, what a good name! Don’t hear too many people named Gordie these days. That’s miraculous.”

“It’s short for Gordon, actually,” I blurted.

“Ahhh, even better! A pleasure to meet you over the phone, Royal Sir Gordon.”

“Nice to meet you too, Wyatt. Your cousin has told me all about you.”

“I hope he’s told you all of the bad things.” Wyatt laughed hazily. “So, what’s good in the neighborhood?”

“Well, you see, Gordie and I are currently at Golden Egg about to eat some breakfast—“

“I think my invite is still in the mail, heh heh,” Wyatt interrupted.

“So anyway, we were wondering what you were up to today and if you’d want to hang out? Gordie over here is quite the Elite Crushers talent, and he wants to meet the man, the myth, the legend, Wyatt Dunsworth.”

“Elite crushers, you say? Now you’re speaking my language. Yeah, you guys can come over whenever. I’ve got nothing going on.”

I fist-pumped triumphantly in midair.

“Sounds good, will be over there as soon as we’re done,” Darren said, and we all exchanged goodbyes over the phone.

“He seems like a pretty funny guy,” I said.

“Yeah, he’s a good time. I think you guys will get along just fine,” Darren said as the server walked over and delivered our meals to us, we proceeded to scarf down our breakfast feast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, and buttery pancakes.

We left the restaurant and then hopped in my car. I messaged my parents that I would be hanging out with Darren for the rest of the day. We drove north for about a half-hour, even passing through downtown Chicago. Wyatt’s parents lived in a neighborhood a couple miles away from Wrigley Field. It was a crowded area, but they were very nice homes. I couldn’t imagine how much they cost.

When we arrived, Darren jogged up to the porch and knocked on the door to the narrow, three-story house. But no one answered. Three minutes dragged on of waiting.

“Did you text him to let him know you’re here?” I asked.

“I tried calling him a few times but no answer.”

A wave of nervousness went through my body. What if he’s like this for tournaments, and he runs late? What if we’re always waiting on him? Would I even want to team up with this guy?

The front door swung open, and standing there was a lanky guy with long hair and a purple headband around his forehead. He had a goofy smile and a mustache, wearing a tank top, gym shorts, and tube socks.

“What’s up, bro-ski?” he said, extending his arms wide for a hug.

Darren wrapped his arms around him. “What’s up, Bro Montana? It’s good to see you, man. Wyatt, this is my friend you met over the phone. His name is Gordie.”

“What’s up, man? I’m Wyatt. Good to meet you in person.” he stuck his arm out, and we shook hands.

“It’s good to meet you too. Thanks for having us over,” I said.

“Yeah, of course, mi casa, Darren’s casa,” Wyatt shrugged, “and Darren’s friend’s casa,” Wyatt said and followed it up with a hazy laugh. “Well, come on inside, let’s get to some Crushing action, eh?”

The inside of the house looked remarkably clean. Recently finished wood floors and modern style lights hanging overhead with Edison bulbs. We entered Wyatt’s room upstairs, which could have been a luxury studio apartment with high ceilings and thick vintage crown molding. He had a queen-size bed and a couch to seat four right in front of a mounted, flat-screen TV.

“Wow… this is amazing,” I said, admiring the art that hung on his walls.

Each piece was a psychedelic collage with bright colors and erratic patterns.

“Thanks, man. Can I get you anything to drink or some food? I know you guys just ate and all, but I want to be a good host,” Wyatt said

“You know, I’d like to play a few games of Elite Crushers with you if that’s okay?” I asked.

“Yeah, man, of course it is,” Wyatt said as he turned on the system while Darren and I sat on his couch.

He gave me a silver, clean, wireless ENcontroller and sat down next to me. The three of us had a lot of space on his couch.

I marveled at the controller. It was shining onto my face. “Wow, a silver one. These are pretty rare.”

“Yeah, I like the color on them. Only the best for my guest,” Wyatt said with a wink. “Alright, so what do you want to do? I’ll let the guest pick.”

“I’d like to play one-on-one if that’s okay with you? Darren tells me you’re good, and I like to play in tournaments,” I said.

“Oh no, you’re not one of those douchebags that take the game too seriously, are you?”

Uh oh… Not a good start. “Ha, what do you mean?”

“I mean like, douchebags. Players who critique you mid-match, throw controllers when they lose, scream about the analog stick, the game, the lag, or any other excuse you can find… you know, a lot of the people you find at the Elite Crushers pro tournaments?”

“Don’t worry, Wyatt, Gordie here is a good guy. We were up all night yesterday, and not once did Gordie do any of those things,” Darren said.

“Like Dayzees?” I asked.

“Oh, don’t get me started, screw that guy,” Wyatt said, and then he shook his head. “Well, that’s not completely fair to say. Maybe something bad was happening to him the day I met him. I’d like to think he’s not that rude, you know, give people another chance? But I met him once at a tournament, and I was not a fan. He sucked.”

“I met him at a tournament two years ago, and he was super mean to me,” I said. I proceeded to tell him all about the experience I had going up against Dayzees.

Wyatt shook. “My gut was right. Dayzees does indeed suck as a human.”

“What happened when you met him?”

“Yeah, I don’t think I’ve heard this,” Darren said, perking his ears and leaning towards us.

“When I met Dayzees, it was at last year’s Chicago tournament…