“Second quarter numbers are still circling the bowl. So let’s wrap the meeting up and move product. Rob, I’m going to need you to come in next week. Oh, 160 bucks. Venmo me your share of Saturday’s drinks tab,” Mac said.

The boss waited. Confusion galloped around the conference table. Broad shouldered, Mac loomed over his coworkers daring them to silence. Regan raised a timid hand.

“Chip in for drinks? I thought it was a company thing,” Regan said.

“It was but the tab went over budget. I don’t want to kick a big bill up to the big boss.”

Hand in pocket, Mac stood and turned. Regan turned to the others. Mac whistled.

“Wait Mac. All I had were a couple of Coors. And Emily here doesn’t drink alcohol at all,” Danny said.

“Whose idea was it to order shots of the most expensive tequila the bar had?” Cara challenged.

Turning Mac paled. His face crumbled. The table of upset coworkers faced him ready to argue. He slipped his hand in his pocket. His face brightened into a snarl.

“Well it was a morale building event. Tequila makes the dream work. Guys let’s be a team here. It’s just a couple bucks.”

Mac gave a feral grin. He rubbed the scrap of his blanket tucked in his pocket. The others looked around helplessly focusing on Rob. Mac headed for the conference door.

“Mac, I put in for PTO three months ago. I can’t be here next week. I have plane tickets—“

“Sorry pal. I just denied it. Gotta get those numbers up.”