Page 8 of Play the Game
Jo
I actually think Noah gives more middle child energy. When there’re four kids in a family, who’s considered the middle child?
Hannah
See, now there’s a hard-hitting question.
Noah
Okay, but let’s ask it later. Right now, I have a question of my own.
Me
We love you a lot.
Noah
Cooper is my favorite today. For that and also because you’re participating in the group chat at a regular time of day. Usually we don’t hear from you until some ungodly hour of the night.
He’s not wrong. For the last year, I’ve been working insane hours as partnership decisions get closer. Making partner wasn’t ever something I thought all that much about, but then Evanjoined the firm and made it clear that she would be earning the open partnership spot in our group, and for reasons passing understanding, I got sucked into this competitive battle with her and, well, here we are.
But I’m tired. I’m so fucking tired, and I miss hanging out with my family, and I’ve spent the last six months wondering what the fuck I’m doing and why I care so much about a partnership in the first place. Which is why I’m texting my family at two in the afternoon instead of paying attention to this meeting.
Me
I love being the favorite.
Noah
I know how you do. Anyway, what would you say if I told you I just scored us all tickets behind the Strikers’ dugout to game one of the World Series on Tuesday?
Elliot
FUCK YES.
Jo
I would say you’re my favorite now and I need to go buy a jersey immediately. I love the lightning bolt logo. It’s so fucking cute.
Amelia
Shopping trip?
Hannah
Definitely yes.
Jordan
I think we’re losing the plot here. How did you get those tickets? You can’t even buy them on the secondary market. Boston hasn’t been in a World Series in like fifty years.
Noah
Their second baseman took a line drive to the face in game one of the ALCS and fractured his jaw. They didn’t think he would heal in time for the World Series, but because of my mad surgical skills he did, and he asked me if I wanted tickets.
Me
You were Ace Wilson’s surgeon?
