Chapter 3

I surveyed the table in my game room, double-checking that I’d remembered everything. I had my custom-printed map of my homebrew world of Firth hanging up on the wall like always. My DM screen, my notes, my dice - with extra sets ready in case someone didn’t bring their own. I had the fresh, partially completed character sheets ready to go. With new players, it was always better to give them a few choices like basic class and names and to get into the game quickly. I had three copies of the Player’s Handbook out and ready for referencing (or browsing for inspiration). Drinks were prepped on the side table - non-alcoholic since at least half of them were still 20. Bowls were ready for whatever snacks they brought.

With nothing left to do, I nodded to myself, proud of my work.

“Nothing better than Game Day,” I said, looking over at my cat where he was lounging on his shelf perch near the window. “Right, Jasper?”

Jasper meowed at me and blinked.

“Good point,” I said, the old game of pretending to talk to him so I wasn’t talking to myself kicking in. I headed back out of my game room to my office, sitting down to check my emails. No time to spin up some work, but enough to fire off a couple of emails. I was trying to decide how best to phrase ‘Pay my rate or get fucked’ to a client who had come to me through word of mouth when the doorbell rang.

Leaving my office and work behind, I headed to the front door and could hear female voices on the other side. I immediately hoped that Rhia wasn’t making things awkward for me and showing up after her friends, but I put on my winningest smile and opened the door.

Oh thank God, I thought.

“Hey, ladies,” I said, swinging the door open wide and gesturing inside. “Come on in!”

“Hey, Shane,” Rhia set, leading the way with a big grin and stepping right up to me to pull me into a tight hug. Her dark chestnut hair was down and loose, looking silky smooth, and she’d done her makeup lightly. I was a little shocked by her outfit though - the pink skirt was fine, but the polka dot red and white top looked like it was a size too small for her. Especially in the bust. It showed off a strip of her stomach above the waist of her skirt and between the sheer amount of cleavage she was showing and the thin shoulder straps I was pretty damn sure there wasn’t a bra under it.