Chapter 30
POV: Emma
I never thought I'd see Mr. Fletcher surrender.
He'd been the unofficial champion of every neighborhood game since before I moved into Brookside.
Chess.
Bowling.
Trivia.
Even beanbag toss.
He won everything.
Until Damian arrived.
It started with checkers.
Mr. Fletcher adjusted his glasses and pointed at the board.
"You know the rules, son?"
"I think so."
"You 'think'?"
"I learned from a ten-year-old last week."
The old man chuckled.
"Then prepare to lose."
Ten minutes later, he was staring silently at the board.
"No..."
Damian scratched the back of his neck.
"Was that... good?"
Mr. Fletcher looked at him.
"Good?"
He stood up dramatically.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
Everyone turned.
"I've been defeated."
Walter placed a hand over his heart.
"It
