Page 6 of Bro Amazing

"Clarissa. She's agreed to be our girlfriend and move in," says Miles, a note of pride in his voice.

The computer screens all freeze as the guys turn in unison to look my way.

"Hi." I wave awkwardly because I really don't know what the protocol here is. I'd always imagined if I were ever to move in with a boyfriend it would be a moment for hugging and excitement. But I don't know these guys. And there are five of them.

"The flyer worked," says Quintin in awe.

When no one else says anything, I decide it's time to go. If this is going to be my future, I might as well start right now. Besides, I need to be out of my current apartment and have it cleaned by end of day tomorrow.

"Well, I'm going to go get started on my packing." I point to the door—as if they don't know which way I'm about to go in their own house. "I'll try to start moving in tonight so I can have everything settled at my apartment tomorrow."

"We have an ARAM tonight so we can't help you then," says Lionel immediately.

"That's what Miles said, and that's okay." I'll need someone to help though, and I can only think of two people who will be willing to help me on such short notice. I don't want to make the call, but I will. I’m annoyed that I'm having to make so many unpleasant choices lately, so many things I wouldn't do under normal circumstances, but I need to keep the end goal in mind. It will all be worth it when I'm a full-time author with an amazing career.

"You'll need a copy of the key," says Helix, reaching into his pocket and producing a set of keys. He finds the one he wants and starts pulling it off. "This way you won't have to interrupt or bother us."

"Thanks." I can't decide if this is sweet or annoying. How many guys will give you not only a key to their place almost as soon as they meet you, but their own key at that? Although Helix is also making it clear that their little game and their needs are above mine even when I'm doing them this favor of agreeing to be their live-in girlfriend.

Well, they're also doing me a big favor, but they don't need to know that part. This isn't a normal relationship where we tell each other everything and confess our deepest secrets. This is a business exchange.

They're all staring at me. Am I supposed to kiss them goodbye or something? I don't want to drag this out any longer than necessary. And I'm not ready to take so much initiative, even if they are handsome. This all feels so quick and sudden. I've just met these guys.

"Okay, good luck with your game. I'll see you later."

"Oh, and Clarissa?" calls Helix when I'm only a few steps from the gaming room. "You get on birth control."

"Uh. Okay." I practically run down the hall and out the front door, desperate to be out of there and away from their intense gazes. This is going to be difficult, but at least I've solved my problem on my own like a big girl without having to call my parents for money.

Although I'm about to call them to borrow their truck. And maybe ask for help carrying my bed frame. I'll just have to figure out how to explain my new living situation to them.

And then there are Helix's parting words.

Chapter Four

It's crazy how fast someone can pack up an entire apartment when they're threatened with eviction. It's all very motivating.

"Thanks again for helping me move," I say the next day, carrying one end of my mattress while Dad carries the other up the stairs.

"Any time, sweetheart, you know that," he grunts.

"Maybe next time give us a little more notice?" asks Mom, lugging a box up behind us. "If you'd told us earlier this week when you found out, we could have gotten a few more people to help us."

"Sorry, with all the planning and packing, it completely slipped my mind." I hate lying to my parents, but I don't want them to know how bad my situation is. If they knew, they'd try to convince me to move home and give college a go. Most of my friends went that route, but it's not for me. I want to be a writer.

Or they would try to give me money. Which they definitely don't have.

"Our daughter has a lot on her mind, love," says Dad, always willing to protect and defend me. I can do no wrong in his eyes. "She has all of her stories and business things, and then the day-to-day stuff too. I'm sure it's a lot to keep track of."

His words are sweet, but they cut even deeper than if he'd agreed with Mom. They can't find out that I'm broke or about to move in with five guys I met because of a flyer. It'd break their hearts.

"All I'm saying is, then we could have picked a day that her new roommates would be home to help, is all," rebuts Mom. To her the world is black and white and it's everyone's duty to help everyone else. And she is not okay with anyone shirking their portion of the heavy lifting of life.

"They have a weird work schedule."Please don't ask what they do for a job, I think. That would not impress my parents. "And I had to work around when my critique group meets."

"Well, I hope we at least get to meet them some day," says Dad, lugging more boxes up the steps to stack them carefully in one corner of my new room. It's a bit of a disaster area, but Dad's trying to keep it as organized as possible so we can still move around in the small space. Chicago is not known for its spacious bedrooms.

"I'd like that." I smile at my parents. We're all sweaty from the heavy lifting, and because it's the last nice day between summer and fall, but they came through for me when asked and I love them all the more for it. I even mean what I say. I've always been close to my parents and would love for them to know my roommates. But only as roommates, and I'm not ready for them to meet before these gamers know that I'm keeping my parents in the dark about this single small aspect of my life. I don't want them to let anything slip in front of them.

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