I adjusted my bag and scanned the parking lot. “Would it be inappropriate if I joined in?”
She hesitated.
Of course it was weird. Why would she want to hang out with an underling like me when she could party with the toy guy? I bet he was a blast. He probably brought a bubble gun to parties.
I hurried my pace and tugged my hat down. “Never mind. I just remembered, one of my guilds does their raids on Wednesdays.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s not an event, it’s just a casual meet-up for anyone who can make it. You know the bar with that giant ‘Live Music’ sign down the road here?” She pointed.
“Yes.” So, it’d be loud. I couldn’t wear earplugs at a social event.
“A lot of us go there on Wednesday nights. Maybe we’ll see you there tomorrow,” she said, turning down another aisle.
“Yes, perhaps.” I dialed my brother right away. It was just for the walk to my car. Then, I’d be safe. It only took two rings for him to answer, but the frequency still vibrated through my veins.
“Hello, sister,” he said, his voice rumbling low. “I’m going to have to put you on speaker in a moment.”
I tightened my grip on my phone and pumped the unlock button on my keys so the rear lights would flash. “I’m almost to my car. By the way, do you know of a Wednesday night ritual where mall employees meet up at the bar down the street?”
“No,” he drolled.
Right. He didn’t want to spend time with anyone except Kat. And maybe me.
“Could you go with me tomorrow? Maybe just for a drink?” I peered over my shoulder, then flashed a pocket light over my tires and the back seat.
“You want to go out?” he asked.
“Maybe.” If he went with me. “Ash invited me.”
Well, Sal did, technically, but my stomach clenched at the thought of explaining how we met.
“Did she also invite your family?” Victor asked.
“She said anyone could come.” I huffed and slid into the driver’s seat, locking the doors. “I was hoping you’d go with me. You know, so I could…” Handle other humans? “Get a feel for things,” I finished, swallowing hard.
He hummed and mulled.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
“I had plans, but we’ll figure something out,” he said. “I’m proud of you, Z.”
Proud? For what? Pretending I wanted to go to parties?
Propellers smacked my ribcage from the inside. I was fine.Normal, see?
“Great. I’ll see you at home.” I dropped my phone into the cupholder and breathed deeply. This wasn’t a big deal. I was making friends. Or at least capable of it. Victor would see. Then, maybe we could go back to some semblance of normalcy. Staying in, playing games, and watching movies. That was good. Perfect, for me.
By the time my brother got home, I was three hours deep into playing Craft Cove. I’d forgotten how addicting resource games like this could be. He waved at the security camera in the garage, then checked his phone.
I poked the intercom. “Hey, how was the rest of your day?”
He gave the camera a thumbs-up.
“Good.” Oh, I’d forgotten to press the button. Not that it mattered. He would walk through the living room soon enough.
My brother ambled in with the faint aura of buttered popcorn. “What are you up to?”
“Watching a movie. Playing Craft Cove. Everyone at work is into it.”
