Getting Back In The Game: Working Late

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Eric straightened his back with a groan, pulling his face away from the computer screen he had been staring at for what seemed like an eternity, but was actually much longer. He ran his fingers through his hair with two hands before bringing them down to wipe his face. He looked at his phone, lying face down on the desk beside him, and picked it up hesitantly. He knew the texts he had been ignoring weren’t going to be fun to read.

Jack [3:23pm]: Aaaand that’s enough work for this week. You guy’s down to go to Acquis in a couple hours? Daddy needs a swirl.

Andrew [3:31pm]: As much as I hate that you called yourself daddy, I’m in. This week kicked my ass.

Kyle [3:52pm]: I, too, would like to formally issue a complaint with your use of the word daddy.

Kyle [3:52pm]: But yeah I’m down. I’m already a couple beers deep.

Andrew [4:01pm]: No surprise there. Try to make it later than 8pm for once buddy.

Kyle [4:12pm]: Good call, I don’t want to miss you getting rejected by every girl in the bar like last weekend.

Jack [4:15pm]: Daddy like.

Jack [4:15pm]: Daddy like.

Jack [4:15pm]: Daddy like.

Andrew [4:18pm]: Dude upgrade your phone already this is the worst text to get multiple times.

Jack [4:23pm]: I upgraded to the X on Tuesday. I sent that text three times just for you baby.

Kyle [4:30pm]: I’m going to throw up.

Jack [4:42pm]: Lol. @Eric you coming or what playboy

Andrew [5:03pm]: He’s probably got big plans watching 2/3rds of a Netflix documentary with his gf before falling asleep at 9pm.

Kyle [5:24pm]: Nahh, he’ll crumble when he sees these texts. Didn’t he spend last weekend apple picking or something?

Andrew [5:30pm]: I’m surprised he managed to pick any apples in between the bitchfest he was filling our chat with. Traffic is a nightmare today. What time y’all thinking about meeting up?

Jack [5:34pm]: Dude I know. I’ve been stuck on this on-ramp for like twenty minutes. Y’all wanna meet at my place for a couple drinks at like 8?

Kyle [5:41pm]: I’m heading out to happy hour with my coworkers so I’ll just meet y’all at Acquis later.

Andrew [5:53pm]: RIP Kyle. I’m down to meet at your place Jack.

Jack [6:01pm]: Fosho.

Andrew [7:45pm]: @Jack what are you wearing tonight? You doing a t-shirt or a collar?

Jack [7:47pm]: Shit, idk. I’m still sitting in my towel on my couch. Got sucked into a 30 for 30. Probably a flannel or long sleeve though it’s lowkey cold out.

Kyle [7:52pm]: It’s not cold y All pussays. I’m wearing business Cassola.

Kyle [7:52pm]: *Casual

Andrew [8:04pm]: Yeah I’m gonna listen to the guy that’s not three beers away from a blackout. Jack, I’ll head to your place in a few.

Jack [8:06pm]: Fuck ok I’ll get dressed.

Eric sighed again as he finished catching up on texts. He glanced at the clock on the top corner of his computer screen. 9:13 p.m. And he was still at the office. He knew if he left right now he could still meet up with the guys, but his work was far from over.

“Fuuuck” he groaned as he leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms over his head. He was going to have to work tomorrow too. He knew if he just buckled down for a few more hours and woke up early he could get all his work finished in time for the afternoon games. Unable to make himself get back to his project, he clicked his Snapchat icon.

“Shit, everyone and their mother is having fun tonight,” he thought to himself as he tapped through pictures and videos. “Bottle service. Bottle service. Are they in Nashville? Yikes, they should take that picture down before their girlfriend sees it. Another anniversary dinner. Wait, what’s Alyssa up to? Who’s house is this?”

He watched an eight-second video of his girlfriend playing flip cup at an apartment he didn’t recognize. The last time he had talked to her, lamenting about how he would have to work late, she said she was probably going to stay in. After all, she was getting over a cold. “I guess she changed her mind,” Eric grumbled. “It’s kind of weird that she wouldn’t text me she decided to go out. And I’m not a fan of this guy who’s hugging in this video. Like, we get it, man, you guys won a game of flip cup. Act like you’ve been there before and keep your hands to yourself.”

A notification that he received a Snapchat distracted him from his thoughts. It was from Jack. Goddamn it. He knew he shouldn’t open it. He knew whatever he saw would just increase his FOMO and decrease his willpower. And yet, he couldn’t help himself. He clicked the purple square and stared as a blurry video filled his screen. It was Kyle, eyes drooping, head-nodding at the table while Jack’s raucous laugh emanated from the speakers. Kyle’s head dropped and then quickly jerked back up. He stared at the camera incomprehensibly and tried to swat it away. The caption read “this drunk asshole.”

Eric laughed as the video ended. “Goddamn it, Kyle. When will you learn you can’t handle Happy Hour on Fridays?” He looked at his computer screen again, calculating. He had about seven more hours of work to be done by Monday. Well, call it five. He was sure he could speed it up a bit. He had worked enough today. He could definitely finish five hours tomorrow. Or hell, he even had Sunday too. How could he forget about Sunday?

He smiled in his empty office as he reached for his laptop. “I’m too young to be trapped at work all weekend,” he thought. “I deserve to have some fun.” He closed his screen and packed up his bag as he texted with one hand

Eric [9:18pm]: I’m just getting done at the office. I have to work again tomorrow but I can meet you guys out for a beer or two. Where will y’all be in like 30 minutes? .

42

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Nick Arcadia

The opposite of a life coach. Email or DM me if you want some bad advice: nickarcadiapgp@gmail.com

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