Fuck it.
“Why not?” I hopped off my barstool and followed him to his group.
“Ari, this is Vic, Henry, and Jason.”
They all waved sweetly.
“Have a seat.” Jason pulled out the empty chair next to him.
“Thanks.”
“So, Ari, what brings you out on this glorious Saturday afternoon?” Henry asked through a grizzled beard.
“Needed a drink and some fresh air,” I answered. “What about you guys?”
“Weekly boys club,” Warren explained. “When these three decided to get hitched, we had to set aside a time for us men to have some guy time.”
“I don’t want to impose.” I started to get up, feeling like a very awkward fifth wheel.
Warren held his hand up. “Please, you’re not imposing. They’re all married. I am a lone wolf among domesticated house pets. Don’t leave me with the riffraff.”
Vic narrowed his gaze at me. “I swear I’ve seen you before.”
I shrugged my shoulders high. “I don’t think so.” I couldn’t place their faces at all, and I definitely had never run into them at Might As Well before.
“Let me ask you something, Ari.” Henry raised an eyebrow.
“Sure.”
“Kissed any football players lately?” He could barely get the words out before erupting in laughter.
“Excuse me?” I leapt to my feet.
“You owe me ten bucks, Warren. I told you that was the chick who was spotted here lip-locked with Logan Turner. Pay up, my friend.” Henry continued with his hysterics as the rest of the group joined in.
“Aw, Ari, don’t be like that,” Warren called after me as I threw a twenty on the bar and did what I did best: I ran.
* * *
Safely back in my condo,I did what I did every time real life was a little too much for me. I hid behind my avatar Mazyy.
I sleighed dragons, shot down orcs, and stormed castles with ferocity. Hiding in my fictional world was going to have to be enough from now on because out in the real world, people were cruel and made bets at the expense of others’ feelings.
Tears streamed down my down my face as I flew from Ironforge to Stormwind on my snowy gryphon.
Just as I got my toon into the auction house to unload some of my plunder, a blue message popped up in the chat box from a handle I didn’t have saved in my friends list.
Ltfredhenrry: Josie?
Mazyy: Who is this?
Ltfredhenrry: I made it pretty easy for you…guess.
I racked my brain trying to break down the long character name.
Mazyy: Give me one hint.
Ltfredhenrry: “But life isn’t hard to manage when you’ve nothing to lose.”
