Page 9 of Dating and Dragons

When the campaign is complete, they cheer and chat for a few minutes about how great it’s been before signing off. Once it’s clear that the livestream has ended, they all fall back in their chairs like I did, laughing and high-fiving.

“That was epic!” Logan cries. He points at Mark. “That was inspired when you paralyzed that harpy and used it as cover.”

“It just came to me!”

“And you two,” Sloane says, pointing to Kashvi and Sanjiv. “Amazing teamwork.”

The twins grin and elbow each other. “I can’t believe this is over,” Sanjiv says. The others nod sadly.

“But not forever. We’re starting a new campaign, and it’s going to be even better than this one,” Sloane reminds everyone.

“How many viewers did we get today?” Logan asks.

“A new high—a hundred and sixty-two.”

“All right, new goal, then. We’re hitting two hundred and fifty with our next campaign. Maybe even five hundred!”

Everyone chuckles and shakes their heads.

Kashvi turns around in her chair to look at me. “What did you think, Quinn?”

“You all are unbelievable.”

“So?” She raises an eyebrow. “Do you think you’re up to joining?”

“Wait,” Logan interrupts, his eyes flashing at me. “You’re thinking aboutjoiningthe group?”

“Why did you think I had her come in today?” Kashvi asks incredulously.

My stomach sinks at the change in Logan’s expression. It’s as if Kashvi’s announced I’ll be swinging by every Saturday to pour a bucket of manure on the game table.

“I don’t know,” he replies. “I thought maybe you were hanging out after or something. You play D&D?”

“Yes, I play,” I reply sharply. “Just…you know, not likethis.”

“You get used to it,” Mark says, and takes a huge gulp of Dr Pepper directly from the two-liter. “The cameras are intimidating at first and you overanalyze every word you say, but eventually you forget that anyone is watching and it’s just fun. I bet you’d love it.”

“You should consider joining. It would be great to have another player,” Sloane adds.

“I know Imighthave given you a hard time before”—Sanjiv glances at his sister—“but it’d be cool to have you. It’s good to switch things up so we don’t fall into a rut. And I know it’d make Kashvi happy.”

Logan’s eyes narrow at Sanjiv, but his silence is all I need to realize that Logan does not want me here as a player. Seriously? He was so nice before—what’s so horrible about me playing with the group? Am I not good enough for them?He doesn’t know me well enough to guess what kind of player I am.

I cock my head at him. “What do you think, Logan?”

His eyes widen, like he didn’t expect me to call him out. “Uh, you should do what you want to do.”

“But what doyouthink I should do? I’d like to hear your opinion.”

He clears his throat. I’m glad to see I can make him squirm.

“Do you think I can’t cut it? Or are you hesitating because you don’t want another girl in the campaign?” I push.

His mouth drops open. “What?No, it’s not that at all! I don’t care about that.”

Rather than standing up for Logan, everyone waits in silence, and I feel both vindicated and slightly nauseous. So it’s not in my head—he really doesn’t want me to join.

“It’s just…well…” He looks around again. “I’m not sure if you’d be a good fit. We’re high energy when we play, and you seem kind of quiet and easily intimidated. We need personalities more like your grandma actually—take no prisoners.”

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