Page 17 of One More Round

“We need to come up with the gaming rotation schedule, make sure the kitchen is well-stocked, plan our giveaways—what the swag is and how often we’re running them. We also need to get a final guest count and when they are joining on the stream or stopping by. We’ve already established that we will open up more Q&A with the viewers and I think our goal should be two hundred seventy-five thousand dollars. Anyone disagree?” He looks around at us, seeking our agreement.

“I’m down,” I offer.

In turn, Bernie, Ben, Chuck, and John all agree.

“Selling yourself short, but whatever,” Link mutters.

“Morgan said she’d help you coordinate the food, Bernie. I’ll just give her my team credit card, if that will help you,” Dex says.

Bernie excitedly snags the notebook out of Dex’s hands.

“Oh great, that will help me not stress out about it when the event starts. I’m working on the schedule this week. I know that this has all been on the calendar for a while but let me know if there are any times you cannot be here. I’ll schedule around everyone’s needs. I was thinking that six-hour shifts will work well.”

OK, not only is she the voice of reason, but she is also a walking day planner. She is ridiculously organized.

We continue to make our way through the agenda with little interruption. Once we are done with the meeting—after Chuck, Ben, and John leave—it’s about dinnertime.

Link looks up from his phone and then slides it into his pocket.

“Anyone up for dinner at The Bar tonight?” he asks the room.

“Can’t. I’m already planning on hanging out with the girls tonight,” Bernie answers.

“Yeah, Ruby just texted and asked if we wanted to join,” he says.

“I can’t. I’ve got a date tonight.” I stand up from my spot on the couch and head to where the gaming stations are set up, so I can sit down at my gaming rig. I set up this date a few days ago. We’ve gone out a couple of times, and she’s cool, but I don’t think I’m really that into her.

“Ah, with that Lindsey chick?” Link asks.

“Yeah. We are meeting for dinner in a couple hours,” I say as I fire up the PlayStation and put my headset on. A littleCoBbefore a date never hurt anyone.

“Well, bring her to The Bar after dinner. You’ve been on like, five dates with her. Isn’t it time to meet her?” Dex offers.

Damn.

“Uh, I mean, we haven’t gone on that many … but I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” I slide my headset off one ear as I glance over at Dex.

“Because of Gia?” Bernie perks up from the notebook where she is still working on the schedule.

“Oh, snap!” Link laughs.

“No, not because of Gia,” I mutter. Great. Now I’m thinking about Gia. But, that could be interesting. I wonder what Gia would do if I brought a date.

“That could actually lead to an electrifying evening,” Dex contemplates.

My eyebrow lifts at his words and I hear Link and Bernie agree.

I swear under my breath and put my headset back on to drown out this conversation. But the last thing I can do now is play a decent round. I yank the headset off, stand back up and go grab my phone off the counter by the door.

“I’ll ask Lindsey, but I can’t guarantee we will be there.” I start to head toward the door. “But if we end up at The Bar, I don’t want to hear or see any of you trying to start something. I don’t even know why you guys think this is a thing. It’s not a thing.” I glare at Link and Dex.

I open the front door to head to the apartment that I share with Dex and Link one floor up. I hear Link muttering as I walk through the doorway.

“Oh, it’s definitely a thing.”

Loud enough for him to hear, I say, “Leave it be, asshat.”

I hear snickers from the peanut gallery as the door closes.

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