Their friends

"Let's bring it to the Beer Club!"

"The Beer Club," was the name of the friend circle they belonged to, so called because they had started as a brewery touring group, only to put brewery tours on hold when one of the members got pregnant. They found other things to do in the meantime, but never really stuck to just the tours even after the member gave birth. Now they did book clubs, cocktail parties, movie showings and, of course, game nights.

Drew frowned. "Is this really a 'Beer Club' thing?"

"Of course it is!" said Jen. "They'll love it!"

"But there are only four pieces," said Drew.

"We can play in teams?" said Jen.

"Of three?" said Drew, "Or four? For a game like this? There are over a dozen people in the club!"

"Alright!" said Jen, throwing her hands up.

She turned around, making Drew think for a moment that she was putting the box back. Then she took out her cell phone.

"I'll ask for players in the group chat."

"But... I..."

Drew opened his mouth to argue, but couldn't think of a good retort, looking on as Jen's text popped into the message window.

"Well, I'd prefer if we didn't wait around for an answer, so we can leave and come back..."

"Someone's typing!" said Jen.

Drew sighed. Another message bumped Jen's request up the timeline. She pumped her fist and beamed triumphantly.

"We've got ourselves a game!"

Drew leaned in to read the text.