Page 5 of Good Girls Beg

Lyra snorted a laugh. "Hornies for short.”

The kettle whistled and switched off.

While I laughed, she poured water into our cups and added milk and sugar.

I glanced back at my laptop screen. The crowdfunding campaign had another hundred dollar donation. Yes.

I smiled, but it faded when something else caught my eye.

In the top corner of the screen was a red bell, indicating a private message.

Let me guess, I said to myself. Someone is offended I dare to raise money for a bar and they've decided to let me know..

I understood. I really did. People on this platform were raising money for personal healthcare or to save their beloved pets. This would seem frivolous if they didn't stop to think. My fathers might be out on the street without a bit of help. Not to mention all of their staff as well. This was about more than a bar, this was the livelihood of a dozen people.

Honestly, why couldn’t people couldn't scroll on past?

I thought about ignoring it, but I clicked on the bell to open the private message. It came from someone using the internet handle Hel6913.

The message itself was a simple

I want to help you save Loams bar

"Me too, buddy," I said under my breath.

I clicked out of messages and went to look at the donations. Hel6913 hadn't placed one. That last hundred dollars had come from one of our regular customers. I sent them a quick thank you note before going back to the messages.

"What is it?" Lyra placed my tea in front of me and went back for hers. She liked her teabag in for longer so it was strong enough to kill an elephant.

"I don't know," I admitted. "Someone being creepy, I guess. You know what these things are like. They always draw the scammers." The message was probably from some thirteen year-old boy on the other side of the planet, thinking this would give him a laugh. Where did your parents go wrong with you? I thought.

My curiosity getting the better of me, I clicked on the username, but it went to a brand-new account, confirming my suspicions. They must have made it just now, so they could fuck with me.

"I wish people would use their time for good instead of evil," I muttered. If they spent half as much time helping people as they did trying to scam them, the world would be a better place.

As I finished saying that, another message popped up.

I can assure you I'm legit. I have a proposal for you

Lyra slipped back into the chair next to me. "I can't decide if I should advise you to walk away, or run."

“One, then the other, I think," I said. "In that order.” I hated running, but it seemed wise under the circumstances. Good thing it was figurative running, not literal. Figurative running, I could do all day. And often did.

"What are the chances they're actually legit?" I asked.

What if they had the answers I needed? A proposal to be a silent partner with the bar? Or someone who wanted to make a hefty donation with no strings attached? Or Santa Claus with an early Christmas present?

I sighed. The last one seemed the most likely. The Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy weren't off the table either. Unfortunately, I didn't have any teeth to spare.

"Are you going to respond?" Lyra asked.

"Definitely not." I closed the tab and shut down the computer before lowering the lid. "Whatever bullshit game they're playing, they can play it by themselves."

I ignored the sliver of doubt that made me question that decision, but in the end, this wasn't just about me.

Whoever Hel6913 was, they'd be messing my with dads too. They had enough on their plate as it was, without stressing about some internet scammer. Would they stress about it though? Knowing them, they'd be cracking jokes and having fun with the scammer by responding, until said scammer realized they had no intention of taking the bait.

"Can I convince you to come out with me tonight, or is the thesis going to keep you warm in bed?" Lyra gave me the side-eye and a slightly cocked eyebrow. Now she'd finished her degree in social work, she had more time to enjoy her life, especially Friday nights.