Page 91 of Game On

We hadn’t had a chance to do that gaming session he suggested yet, and my little gamer heart had been waiting for it. Bringing my console over so we could sit next to each other while we played Dragonspire together sounded awesome.

I texted Logan back immediately.

ME: YES! I’m so game for that.

The sound of footsteps distracted me, and Alex walked into the office where I had been doing the bookkeeping for the tattoo shop.

“Hey, you got a minute?” he asked.

I set my phone down and saved my place in my work. “Sure. What’s up?”

“I’d like to use more of your accountant skills versus straight bookkeeping.”

The tattoo shop was my number one client right now since I was working the most here. Alex had talked about me doing their tax preparation already, which I had negotiated a different rate because it was a different set of skills.

“I hate figuring out the business side of shit, and you’re great with our numbers,” he explained.

“Okay, but my rate for accounting versus bookkeeping differs.”

“That’s fine. We’re already paying you below industry rate, so I want to talk numbers with you.”

I stared at Alex for a second. Since I was just starting out, I charged at a lower rate to drum up more business. So far, it had been working, and I was getting a lot of new clients and work coming off the freelance sites.

Alex smiled at me. “I looked it up, but I’m willing to negotiate pay.”

We talked through numbers until we agreed, and then he left so I could finish my current task. I loved working for the shop, and they were so relaxed and let me be flexible with my schedule. It made it so much easier to juggle all my clients and childcare.

I worked for a couple more hours before I went home. Rosie was already at Logan’s since Mari was watching her again. I wasn’t supposed to have her, but Seth kept making excuses about why he couldn’t take her. More and more, I thought my mom and sister were right about filing for custody. I basically had sole custody if he didn’t want to be a father, but I needed help with her. I was seeing more money coming in, but kids were expensive, and I needed child support. If he was going to skirt his fatherly duties, the least he could do was help me financially.

I got in the shower, but since we were doing a night in of gaming and takeout, I dressed casually in lounge pants and a Mario hoodie. Logan would get a kick out of it.

I grabbed a backpack and laid a towel out on my bed. I unhooked my console and undid the cords. I put my console on the towel and wrapped the towel around it to protect it before putting it in my backpack. I put the cords in on top, chucked my wireless controller in the bag, and then I remembered I needed an extra pack of batteries. I found some in my nightstand and shoved them in my bag as well. I eyed my laptop on my bed and slid that into my bag as well. I might have time to get some work done later if need be.

I went into Rosie’s room and put an overnight bag together for her. She had things at Logan’s, but I wanted to be prepared.

Mom found me lugging all my stuff downstairs when she walked in the door. She pinned me with a curious look. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” I protested. “I’m going to Logan’s for the night.”

“Uh huh.”

I rolled my eyes. “Say what ya gotta say, Mom.”

“Is he your boyfriend yet?”

I shook my head. “Mom, it’s not like that. We both⁠—”

“Don’t have time for that,” she finished the sentence I kept repeating to her. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t get why you keep saying that. Because since he first took you out, it seems like whenever you go out, it’s with him.”

“We’re just friends,” I insisted.

“Uh huh.”

“Mom, he’s busy with hockey, and I’m busy building up my client list.”

“You’re so busy, but you’re making time for each other when you can. Sounds like you’re dating, honey!”

I shook my head. “No. We’re just friends. And he’s the only one I can talk to about being a single parent.”