Page 15 of Bro Amazing

His argument sounds a lot like the one I've used to justify my current situation.

Maybe we have more in common than I thought. Maybe … I could actually be friends with these guys. It'd make the sex a lot less awkward.

Or maybe it'd make it more awkward.

"Speaking of being stuck inside all the time," interjects Lionel, "you've spent a lot of time shut up in your room lately."

Heat rises in my face. I knew at some point they would call me out and demand all the benefits they've missed out on over the last couple of days.

I shouldn't have come down here. I shouldn't have sought them out. I'm not their friend, I'm their hired sex toy.

I mean, hiredgirlfriend.

"So it's not like you can talk because you haven't gone outside in days," Lionel continues, interrupting my panic spiral.

"Maybe I've left every day," I counter. "You've all been so focused on gaming, you never noticed."

"Your shoes have been in exactly the same position. If you'd left, they would be slightly different," says Miles.

"Maybe I have multiple pairs of shoes." I don't know why I'm arguing. But I am surprised by the interest they've taken in mywhereabouts. I wonder how far their curiosity stretched. Did any of them walk by my room and listen to hear if I was inside?

Were any of them were tempted to come find me for sex?

Did Iwantthem to barge in and say, "This is happening now!"? Did Iwantthem to leave me no choice in the matter?

"Do you have multiple pairs of shoes?" asks Quintin, snapping me back to the present.

"Of course I do." Everyone has multiple pairs of shoes for different occasions and weather. "But … you're right. I didn't go out. I was working."

I hope they'll let me leave it at that. What else can I say? That I was avoiding them and the sex that I'm certain they want from me?

"At least you get to work from home instead of having to go into the office. But even that little bit of freedom wouldn't be enough at some point," says Helix. "Not for me."

"Nor me," says Lionel.

"Same," adds Ethan as the others nod in agreement.

Well,thatwas certainly easier than I thought it would be. Either they have absolutely no real interest in me as a person, or they really can't imagine that anyone else would decide to pursue a career outside of the normal nine to five.

"Where did you go tonight?" asks Quintin.

The other gamers all shoot him a look, as if they can't believe he is asking me such a question, and then return their focus to me. I guess he's paying even more attention to my shoes than Miles. I'm not sure if that's weird or sweet.

"Did you go out with a guy?" asks Miles, his voice sharp. "Because we've hired you to be our girlfriend, and it should go without saying that that means you can't be dating other people."

I can't help but roll my eyes.

"I met some girlfriends for a drink. We usually meet at least once a week to catch up with each other."

And to talk about sex and romance and imaginary characters who live in our heads.

Lionel smirks. "So you're going to come home tipsy at least once a week?"

Miles frowns at Lionel and then focuses on me. "Is that safe?"

I start to protest that I'm allowed to go outside by myself.

"No," says Miles, shutting down anything I was about to say. "I mean, like, safe to walk home alone after drinking. Should one of us go meet you and walk you home, or did your friends walk you?"

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