Page 144 of Talk Nerdy To Me
Chapter 38
BRITT
Three days with no Base sightings should be good news. Except…everyone is talking about how different he is. Apparently he’s turned into a bit of a social butterfly since returning, instead of a hermit artist who doesn’t really find the rest of the world all that appealing.
Fortunately, tonight is a black-tie event hosted by Wren’s mother. Base rarely ever gets mentioned at these things.
Two large, round tables are reserved for us as we leave the silent auction room and head into the banquet room.
I don’t make enough money yet to competitively bid on anything here, but I still enjoy the learning experience.
My mind blanks when I come to an abrupt halt, spotting what has to be an illusion, because even that probability is higher than Base Masters actually wearing a tuxedo. Concussions can cause hallucinations, but I don’t remember receiving blunt-force trauma to my head.
Loss of memory is a symptom as well. I could be experiencing a concussion and not remember to look for the symptoms.
He’s talking to Tag, and Tag is smiling as he claps his cousin’s shoulder. I turn very sharply and go to find our table, because now I know what he’s doing. He’s using my relationship chart against me, and he’s probably very aware of the fact he looks good doing it.
He’s supposed to sulk in corners in places like this and talk about how much he hates it. Not shake hands with people as Tag introduces him—
I slam very hard into a body, and hands go to my shoulders to quickly steady me.
“Ah, Ms. Sterling,” Vince Jaggons says as he pulls back and looks me over.
He’s wearing a bowtie on top of a T-shirt with just a blazer. The odds are that he’s also wearing leather pants.
“Sorry,” I blurt out, eyes widening. “I didn’t see you.”
“That’s because you were looking behind you while walking forward. Usually we walk toward the things that ensnare our attention so thoroughly,” he tells me with lips twisting in a grin.
I nod in agreement, and then look down at my shoes. Huh. No leather pants after all. I’m not sure what that fabric would be called, to be honest.
“You sent me with a group of boys, and so far they’re shaping into possible men. Good eye. If you want to switch industries, make sure I’m your first call,” he adds, bringing my attention back up.
“Are you seriously pitching to my prodigy?” Harley says as she walks up.
“Of course. I’m a businessman too. Her mind isn’t limited to just some games,” he tells her on a scoff.
Harley shakes her head. “I called dibs. She’s mine. I’m not giving her up either.”
I’m not sure why I smile, but I do. Vince nudges me on his way by. “When you no longer feel challenged, give me a call. It’s rare to find a keen appreciation for artistry existing in a mind already so brilliant.”
My smile only grows, because he’s actually really good at being nice.
“She’s in the middle of developing her first game, and it’s challenging enough,” Harley says as she grabs my hand and starts dragging me away.
I hear Vince laughing from behind me, and I let Harley guide me to our table.
“Your father was working his charm on Britt so he could steal her from me,” Harley tattles to Bo the second we sit down.
“But Britt isn’t really into music like that,” Bo says like she’s confused.
I tune them out as they carry on, and I let my eyes wander back to Base.
Vince is with him now, and they’re talking to someone who is probably really important to the music industry. I assume that’s why they’re here.
Exhaling a little easier, no longer feeling like this is directly related to me, I drink from my water glass as the dishes start being delivered to tables.
I lose sight of Base as our table fills up, noticeably lacking Ash and Tag. Presumably, they must be sitting with Base, wherever he is.
