Page 22 of Bro Amazing

My fingers fly over the keyboard as I let all of the feelings from last night and this morning loose onto the page, building out one scene after another. Even during our short breaks, I'm finding the threads of scenes and planning how my FMC will move from one to another, building a relationship with the MMC.

So much of myself is going into this book, but my characters are going to fall for each other. With my roommates, we're going to end at some point—probably when I can afford to live on my own again. But I'll need at least a couple of new books out before that will happen, so I've no idea how long our lives will be interconnected.

At least I'm getting a lot of material out of them so even when I do move again, I'll still have research notes to go back to for future books. After all, at the rate things are going, I'll be gathering material faster than I can use it.

"All right, looks like we're done for the day. Not bad overall," says Sasha, closing her laptop and looking at me expectantly. "Let's walk to the train together."

"Oh, uh." I've written a lot more than I thought I would, but there are still so many notes I could jot down to build out my MMC. Still, if Sasha is ready to leave, it's probably best to call it a day. I can always keep writing once I get home. "Sure, let me pack up my stuff."

"We'll have to hurry though, I don't want to miss my train," says Sasha, all of her things already gathered.

"Not a problem." I haphazardly shove everything into my backpack. I can organize it on the train, or not even bother since I'll pull everything out again at home anyway.

"So when do we get to meet these new roommates?" asks Sasha, striding out the front door of the café ahead of me.

"Uh, well, they work a lot of weird hours and don't get out much." All of this is true. Their scrimmages are sometimes atweird hours because of the time differences, and theydon'tget out much. Or ever.

"You should have them come by a critique group sometime for a drink after." Sasha weaves through other pedestrians on the sidewalk as we head to The El.

"Hmm, we're not really friends," I say, hurrying to keep up. "I just moved in and we're still getting to know each other."

"This will be a perfect way to get to know them," she says, checking down the tracks for the train. "By introducing them to our critique group so we can help you vet them."

"I'm already living with them."And sleeping with them. We might not have had any real getting-to-know-each-other conversations, but we have for sure been spending time together. Naked. I let out a nervous laugh. "So I think that time has passed."

"Either way, you should invite them." Sasha's train arrives and she moves to get on. "I'll text about another writing session soon."

Left on the platform alone, I watch the train disappear. The announcement board says I still have fifteen minutes before my own train arrives. I probably just missed one.Oh, well. I reach into my overstuffed bag for a book. May as well use the extra time to do some of the reading that I claimed I was already doing.

Chapter Ten

When I arrive back at the house, there's a delivery package addressed to Helix resting against our door. I snag it. My roommates are probably in the middle of a game or a practice or whatever they're doing, and this is the nice thing to do, bringing in their mail.

The note I left them, letting them know I was meeting up with a friend for coffee, is still sitting untouched on the hallway table. They probably don't even know I left. If they're gaming, they're probably locked in and letting the real world fade away around them.

I get it. I've done the same, losing hours without realizing it when I'm in a writing flow. I decide to leave the package in the kitchen, where they'll definitely see it. Who knows if they'll think to check the hall table.

The door to the computer den is open, and as I pass by, I can't help but peek in.

"Clarissa," calls Lionel sharply.

Doubling back, I stop in their doorway, careful not to set foot inside the off-limits room.

"Where were you?" asks Lionel, leaning back in his gaming chair.

"A café with a friend. Did you not see my note?"

"No, but so long as it wasn't a date," says Miles, looking me over. Probably to make sure I'm not dressed in date attire, not that he would know what I'd wear on a date since they've never taken me out. "What's with the package?"

"I found it out on the stoop." I check the label again. "It's for Helix."

"I paid extra for immediate delivery." Helix smiles lazily as he holds out his hand for the package.

I'm not falling for it. My roommates were very clear about not stepping into their gaming room. I stay where I am.

"Bring it here," says Helix. "You can come in. Just this one time."

"What did you order?" asks Quintin as I drop my bag to the floor and cross the room to Helix.

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