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"Kingston Entertainment wants to buy stock from his company, PixelForge. Gain some capital and market trust in the gaming sector, but he's too stubborn."
"Is that who keeps calling you?"
Sighing, he plops down onto his chair, the movement chipping away at my anxiety. "Yep. He's probably realizing my low-ball numbers weren't really all that low. Or he's putting his assistant up to it, more likely, having her call me with another insultingly high counter offer. But this isn't my first rodeo. I'm putting him on ice. Let him think I've moved on to a different company."
There's the Elias I know.
My pulse calms, but shoots right back up when his head swivels again. It's then I realize I'll do anything, say anything, to keep him from that third line—even bring up Juliana's side of the deal in the worst possible timing. Something I planned for later, once I gained more footing in the company, but now is the least of my concerns.
"So, uh..." I motion toward him, opting to sit in one of the leather chairs in front of his desk. "You're serious about moving into gaming, then?"
His eyes find mine, and their hazy fog lifts a bit. "Definitely. The board's already approved of the strategy, too, and for good reason. The market grew over fifteen percent just last year..."
His voice drifts through my one ear and out the other as he spouts off decimals, floating-point numbers and market share caps, yada, yada, all of which I had the misfortune of overhearing at our last family dinner.
I just nod, until his lips stop moving. "Was it your idea to sponsor games at this year's DreamScape?"
"Yep." He sighs proudly and leans back in his chair, propping an ankle up on his knee. "All me. It's the best way to get consumers' eyes on our company, to be taken seriously in the market. Maybe we'll host our own gaming convention someday, but that's years down the line."
"I see..." I rub my chin, feigning deep thought. "And who gets the final say in which games get picked?"
He cocks his head. "The sudden gaming enthusiast, are you now?"
I fake an awkward laugh. "Just curious, is all."
"Well, if you really must know, I'm picking the games."
My stomach slingshots down to the fucking floor, a cough I somehow stifle rippling up my throat. If my reaction isn't written plainly on my face, he doesn't say. He's picking? That can't be right. Because that would mean... My deal with Juliana is a waste of time.
Well, not a complete waste. I much prefer seeing her sleeping under my roof than her old apartment, even if it's in the guest bedroom and not mine. Especially when she practically lives in skin-tight yoga pants and has the uncanny ability of putting herself in the most tempting situations.
I wet my lips as the scene from last night replays in my mind, when she bumped into me fresh out of the shower, and the mishap by the window... Juliana may roll her eyes and scoff at my dubious remarks, but there's no denying how well she responds to my touch. The way she gravitates toward it, so eager to please me, and loses all control, practically begging for—
Stop it. I grit my teeth. Now's literally the worst time to pop a boner. Not to mention, it's inappropriate.
It's not the first time I've thought of her today. Quite the opposite, actually. Earlier, I blamed the recurrence on my boring report, my mind drifting, to no avail, but I'm not at my desk anymore, safe to hide my untimely arousal. I'm in front of my brother's.
I stuff down Juliana and her enticing everything, forcing myself to contemplate the real reason for my poor reaction. Why having Elias choosing who does and doesn't get a feature is bad news.
Juliana's supposed to have an advantage. Not only because she'll gain a one-on-one audience with whoever's decision it is, but also because that someone should be our father, who'll choose her girly kitty game no matter what, once he recognizes how good my new girlfriend is for my reputation. But if that's out the window, then—
"Dad has the final say, as always, though," he says, his tone laden with annoyance.
Air darts back into my lungs.
Thank. God. Couldn't he have just led with that?
"Is that the case with the indie creator feature as well?"
Now he looks super suspicious. "You're really beating around the bush here, Hayden. Is there something you'd like to ask me?"
I scratch the back of my head. "Uhh..." Fuck, this is even weirder than I thought it'd be. "It's nothing. I just know someone who'd be interested in the spot. A... friend."
"Reaalllyyy?" he drawls, his eyelids drooping. "One of your friends created a video game they'd like featured at the nerdiest convention on Earth?"
"Well... not exactly a friend."
Jesus H. Christ. You'd think I'm confessing to murder.
