Game On (Aeon Book 1) Read online

  Game On

  Wendy Smith

  Edited by

  Lauren Clarke Editing

  Cover Design by

  Moss Book Covers

  Contents

  Free Book

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  Free Book

  Also by Wendy Smith

  About the Author

  “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.” — Lewis Carroll

  Dedication

  With huge thanks to @kaiawrites and @The_Book_Queen on Twitter for the tweet that inspired this book. Molly Beckham has been in my head since that day, and wouldn’t leave me alone until I wrote her story.

  Also dedicated to the WxC crew. And for what should have been.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Ariadne Wayne is in no way affiliated with any brands, songs, musicians or artists mentioned in this book.

  *CW Cancer death

  Created with Vellum

  Free Book

  Click here to subscribe to my mailing list and receive your free novella!

  1

  Molly

  And in tech news, the owner of Mollab and gaming platform Aeon, Molly Beckham, is said to be close to a merger with smaller gaming platform company Psycom. Rumors have been gaining momentum since she was seen out with Psycom owner, Darryn Phillips …

  I roll my eyes as I pick up the remote and turn the television off.

  “Close to merger, my ass.” I huff. “And seen out with. I didn’t plan on being in the same place at the same time as that douche.”

  I throw the remote onto the bed and lie back on the pillows. The only place I’ve been out lately has been at Game Connection, an industry event where I couldn’t afford not to be seen with a ton of people in the gaming industry. Darryn included, because networking is a big part of my success. But of course, the media see what they want to see, and I have no doubt that Darryn’s quite happy to feed that fire.

  He wants my company, and he wants me.

  I’m not sure if he has a preference, or an order that those wants are in, but I don’t really care enough to ask him.

  Because I’m not interested.

  All I want right now is to get my newest game completed.

  My love life is pretty low on my list of priorities.

  And Darryn Phillips is at the bottom of that list.

  Buzz. Buzz.

  My phone vibrates on the bedside cabinet, jiggling across the uneven surface of junk that it sits on, and I reach out, grabbing it right before it falls.

  With a self-satisfied smile, I press the big green button.

  “Morning, Miranda. I’m not coming in today.”

  Miranda laughs. “Big night?”

  “Me, my computer, and a big bottle of tequila. I think I need to sleep for a week.”

  “You work too hard.”

  I smile. “Trust me, there wasn’t a lot of working last night. But I’d just like to say that Psycom’s new game is ridiculously easy, and, as of just before I went to sleep, I was top of the leaderboard for multiplay on that piece-of-crap platform, Imperium.”

  Her laugh is louder this time. “You are such a geek.”

  “And proud of it.”

  “Why is his game so easy?”

  “Because it’s a rip-off of Devil’s Trial. It looks different, but the gameplay is identical. I know that game like the back of my hand.”

  “Are you going to let him get away with it?”

  “I’m not sure what I can do. Except maybe tell a few people how to complete it. It took forever. It’s hard to play a game when the platform stops responding.” I yawn.

  “You sound tired.”

  “I am. Which is why I’m going back to sleep and hanging up.”

  She laughs. “Not just yet. I saw the story this morning, and I’ve already had a couple of reporters call and told them no comment.”

  “Nice. Well, I’ll turn off my phone when I hang up …” I sigh as the call waiting beeps start. “I think it’s already beginning”

  “Okay. Have a good day, and I’ll stick with the no comment line if they make it as far as me. I’ll tell reception too.”

  “If you want, I can log in and cut the phones off the network.”

  She laughs again. “I’m not sure if I’d go that far.”

  “It’s always an option.”

  “Bye,” she says. “I’ll message you on the chat app if I need you.”

  “Sounds good. Phone off, computer on.”

  “As if you ever have that thing off. Talk to you later.”

  When she disconnects the call, I sit for a moment in silence. I’m no celebrity, but when you’re the creator of one of the biggest gaming platforms in the world, there are people who take an interest in your business.

  Mollab is my business. And my business only.

  I don’t need anyone operating it with me. I don’t intend to sell it.

  It’s the only thing in my life that has any value to me.

  And I’m not just talking about the money.

  2

  Brad

  Rumors have been gaining momentum since she was seen out with Psycom owner, Darryn Phillips …

  God, how I want to turn the television off. The last person I want to hear about right now is Molly Beckham.

  “Isn’t that Jaclyn Beckham’s daughter?” one of the patients sitting on the couch at the other end of the room asks the person beside her.

  “Yes. Such a lovely girl. I live next door to Jaclyn, and Molly dotes on her.”

  At that, I roll my eyes. What a load of crap. Molly hasn’t been home for ten years. I know, because that was the last time I saw her. When she kissed me goodbye and left for college, never to be seen again.

  Molly Beckham broke my heart.

  “Daddy.” Grace runs toward me, jumping on my lap.

  “Ooof. Grace. You’re too big for that.” I laugh.

  She wraps her arms around my neck. “Love you, Daddy.”

  “Love you too, sweetheart.”

  Mom walks in the door, stress all over her face. “Any news?”

  I shake my head. “The doctor’s still in there. It can’t be long now, though. I hope he hurries up.”

  She nods.

  “Did you have a good dinner?” I ask.

  Grace nods. “We had mac and cheese. Not as nice as Mommy’s or Grandma’s.”

  “Your mom is really good at mac and cheese
.” I wrap my arms around Grace and hold her tight.

  “Brad.”

  I look up. Doctor Bainbridge stands in the doorway. “Hop up, Grace. I just need to speak to the doctor.”

  “Come here, Grace,” Mom says.

  I leave the room, joining the doctor in the hallway.

  “How is she?” I ask.

  “There’s not much time left. I think she’ll be gone in the next hour or so.”

  I nod. “Thank you.”

  “If there’s anything else I can do, please let me know. I can recommend an excellent grief counsellor, and she’s especially good with children.”

  “I appreciate it. Grace and her mother are very close.” I run my fingers through my hair. There’s so much to think about. It’s hard to believe that we’ve reached this point, but for the past few months, I’ve known that it was coming.

  “You can go back in. She’s on a lot of pain relief, and sleeping.” He licks his lips. “She won’t wake up before she passes.”

  “I understand. Thank you.”

  Walking back into the waiting room, I hold my hand out for Grace to take. “Shall we go and sit with Mommy?”

  Grace nods, and my chest tightens. This is it. Our last chance to say goodbye.

  Grace slips her hand in mine.

  “Do you want me to wait here?” Mom says.

  I shake my head. “I’m not sure how long this is going to take. Go home and get some rest, Mom.”

  She frowns. “You call me if you need anything.”

  “Of course.”

  She bends, and kisses Grace on the forehead before straightening up and kissing my cheek. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?”

  “I need some alone time with Grace and Lane. I know where you are.”

  She nods. I would ask her to come with us, but this is my last chance to be with my former wife, and the only other person I want around is Grace.

  As she walks down the corridor, I take a deep breath, looking down when Grace squeezes my hand. She knows what’s going on. I wish to God she didn’t have to. It’s a lot to deal with for a seven-year-old.

  “Let’s go, Daddy.”

  I nod. “Okay.”

  The steady beep of the machines tells me that Lane’s heart’s still beating. For the moment. Lane was diagnosed with breast cancer six months ago, and it had progressed too far to stop it. It was fast and invasive, and it cut her down quicker than even the doctors thought it would.

  I take a seat beside the bed. Grace climbs up onto my lap.

  Lane looks so peaceful. When I die, this is how I want it to be. Surrounded by the people who love me.

  Grace leans her head on my chest. She knows what’s coming. We talked about it when we discovered Lane was terminal. I’m just glad we have each other.

  “Mommy’s not waking up again, is she?” she whispers.

  I shake my head. “I don’t think so, sweetheart. But she can still hear you, so maybe you can tell her all about how much you love her.”

  She pouts and nods, leaning closer to the bed. “I love you, Mommy. I’m going to miss you so much. I’ll miss your hugs and your kisses. So will Daddy.”

  I bite down on my cheek until the copper taste of blood fills my mouth. It’s been a couple of years since I kissed my former wife, and right now I’d give anything to have kissed her in that time. Just to recapture that love.

  “I didn’t go to school today. Grandma took me to dinner. We had mac and cheese, but it wasn’t as good as yours. I miss yours.”

  She reaches out and places the blue toy rabbit she’s been carrying around next to Lane. “He can keep you company.”

  “That’s a good girl,” I say, running my fingers through her curls.

  Grace wraps her arms around my neck and sniffs.

  And we wait.

  It’s nearly seven thirty p.m., and the nurse came in an hour ago to pull the curtains. It’s spring, and the sun still lingers, so I asked her to leave them alone.

  Lane loved the sun.

  “Daddy, I need to go to the bathroom.” Grace pouts.

  “I can take her.” Mandy, the nurse who’s been with Lane the most, holds out her hand. “I’m sure you’ll want to stay here.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll be back in a minute, Daddy,” Grace says.

  I pop a kiss on my daughter’s temple and let her go. She disappears out the door, hand in hand with Mandy.

  The machine Lane was on was disconnected half an hour ago. She’s lasted longer than the hour the doctor thought she might. We no longer hear the beeps marking Lane’s heartbeat. The silence is eerie, but welcome. Now she gets to die in peace.

  “I’m sorry, Lane. I’m so sorry you won’t get to see Grace grow up,” I whisper. “But I promise you that I’ll give her everything. I’ll make sure she brushes her teeth and keeps those good manners you instilled in her.”

  Lane lets out a breath. It’s a long, slow breath.

  “I love you,” I whisper.

  Her chest stops moving.

  For a moment, I watch. Grace comes back in and climbs on my lap again.

  I turn my attention to Mandy. “I think she …”

  Her eyes widen a little, and she nods. I hold my daughter tight as Mandy looks for Lane’s pulse. “I’ll get a doctor,” she says.

  The next few moments tick by like hours. A new doctor comes in, one we haven’t seen before, but she gives us a kind smile and nods toward me.

  It only takes a short time for her to check.

  “Time of death: seven twenty-seven p.m,” the doctor says.

  Grace holds on tight, and I bury my face in her neck. Lane’s mother died a few years ago, and her father took off before Lane was born. We were all she had.

  Grace soaks the neck of my shirt with her tears, and I nod at Mandy. “I’m just going to take her out to get some fresh air.”

  “Take your time,” she says softly. “We’ll wait.”

  “Thank you.”

  The light’s fading as I walk outside with my daughter wrapped around me. The spring weather is warm, and I’m so glad for it as I find a bench to sit on, and just hold Grace.

  “Mommy,” she whispers, her tears flooding my skin.

  “I know, baby. Get it all out. She loved you so much, Grace. So very much.”

  She sniffles, and fresh tears well in my eyes. I can’t imagine a world without Lane, no matter how long we’ve had to prepare for it. Even after our divorce, she was still my best friend, my confidante, and the one person I knew would always be there for me.

  My mind wanders back to Molly. She left, hit it big with her company and became a multi-millionaire. Not once did she look back, leaving me, her boyfriend, behind. She also left Lane behind. Lane, who was Molly’s life-long best friend. Lane who was as heartbroken as I was when Molly left.

  Lane, who became my wife and the mother of my daughter.

  And now Lane, who never hurt a fly, is dead.

  “Can we go home?” Grace asks.

  “Sure we can. We’ll just go back inside and say goodbye to your mom one last time. Is that okay?”

  She nods.

  “Just remember, Grace, she’ll always be with us. She’ll be here.” I place my hand on Grace’s heart. “Mommy will be a part of you forever.”

  “We still have all her photos.”

  I nod. “We sure do. And video. I have lots of the two of you from when you were a baby.”

  “Should we go and see Mommy now?” she asks.

  “I think we should.”

  She holds my hand tight all the way back to the room. Sometimes Grace seems so grown up, and I forget her age. Now, she’s clingy, like she was when she was a toddler, but I understand it. It makes me feel better to hold her hand.

  Mandy’s tidied the room a bit. She’s moved the monitor out of the way completely, and pulled the curtains. The lights are dimmed a little and not so harsh as hospital lights usually are. I’m grateful for the small things.

&
nbsp; It’s quiet and peaceful.

  “Goodbye, Lane.” I lean over and press a kiss to her cheek. It’s already cool, and not for the first time, I wish I could trade places with her. Lane didn’t deserve this. She was sweetness, and light, and everything that’s good with this world.

  And she passed all that onto our daughter.

  “Mommy.” Grace sobs. I lift her up onto the bed, and she leans her head against Lane’s.

  For a while, there’s silence as my little girl cries. I can’t do anything. There’s nothing I can do or say to mend her broken heart.

  An hour passes before Grace lets go, and I lift her from the bed.

  “Let’s go home, Grace. We’ll let Mandy and the others take care of your mom from here.”

  She nods. Her tear-stained face pulls at my heart. I know how she’s feeling. Without Lane, I’m lost. We might have been divorced for two years, but we still lived in each other’s pockets. We co-parented Grace as if our split was just a bump in the road and we were still a family.

  I close my eyes as I hold her close. “You’re such a brave girl, Gracie-boo. I love you.”

  I turn her on my hip, and we both look at Lane. I pick up the small blue toy rabbit, and tuck it between Grace and me.

  “This is yours now. You have to take really good care of it, but it belongs to you.”

  She shakes her head. “It’s Mommy’s.”

  “And I bet anything she’d want you to have it.” I take a deep breath. “Let’s go home and get some sleep. I bet you’re tired.”