Page 214 of Just for the Plot

I take in the space with its tall ceilings painted the same deep brown as the walls. The floors are old, worn wood that could probably be refurbished, but because of the vibe of the rest of the space, they’ve kept them to their original scuffs and I dig them.

“What do you think?” Brody asks.

“Hell,” I say, smoothing my hand over my jaw. “It’s kind of perfect. Can I see the furniture?”

“Sure.” But before he takes me to the back, he says, “And these curtains will cover the whole window, so there will be privacy, and we’re able to have security at the door as well, which I know was a concern.”

“Yeah, if we held this at the stadium, security would have been easier to control, but in a more open space like this, I think we would need it. Just to make sure everyone feels safe.”

“Agreed. Maggie has a company she works with that I can hook you up with, but if you have someone you work with already, that could work too.”

“I’ll ask Gretchen, my PR manager.”

“Sure.” He nods toward the back of the space and opens a door to an expansive closet that I was not expecting. It’s almost as big as the space and stacked with furniture, including couches, chairs, and tables.

“Holy shit,” I say, taking it all in, eyeing a few pieces that I think would work. “Wow, this space is almost bigger than the event space.”

“Yeah, we wanted to make sure we kept it quaint up front with a lot of options for decor to make it unique and your own.”

“Nice.” I run my hand over a deep turquoise couch. “I think this would beperfect with a few of the brown leather chairs and then some of the wooden ones. Scatter some of the coffee tables around, and that should be perfect.”

“That’s what I was thinking as well.”

“Can I take a picture to show my girl—” I pause, almost saying “girlfriend,” but just leave it at “girl.”

Brody nods. “Have at it.”

I snap a few pictures for Bower, and then we go out to the front of the space and I take some pictures there as well. Brody makes me take a picture of myself in front of the fireplace, which is so stupid, but he insisted.

When I’m done, I pocket my phone and say, “I think this works perfectly. Could we rent it once a month?”

“Of course. I can get you the details of the rental space along with all the legal bullshit that goes with it, and we can get this set up for you pretty quickly.”

“That’s great. Thank you, man. I really appreciate it.” I hold out my hand and he takes it, his eyes closing for a second, freaking me out. “Are you trying to feel Jason Orson’s essence?” I ask.

Looking guilty, he says, “How long ago was it? Have you washed since then?”

“What the hell do you think?”

“I want to say no, but that’s just a guess.”

“Jesus.” I shake my head and take off toward the door. “You’re lucky that I’m just desperate enough to put up with that shit, or else I’d be looking for another space.”

“Glad you reek of desperation, then.”

“I’m sure you are.”

“I’ll be in touch.”

“Yeah, thanks.” I give him a nod, not wanting to go for another handshake, and then I hop into my car, my driver pulling away from the curb as I buckle up.

I take my phone out again and send the pictures to Bower.

Bennett:Hope this place works for you, because I confirmed with the guy that it would work for us.

I flip through my emails and see one from Gretchen, asking if I’ve found a space, so I send her an email with the pictures inside it. I sort of want to tell her off, but I know what little that will do. She’s unaffected by that kind of shit.

Just as I press send on her email, Bower texts me back.