16
Cody
What a crazy day Cody was having. He couldn’t believe it was real. First game publishing representatives were listening to him pitch his board game idea, encouraging him to submit online, then he was admitting to Willow he had used her face and name to create graphic novels, then he’d discovered that he’d sold some. A lot.
Willow was curled up in the double bed, Humphrey was sprawled out on the single spare bed over by the window, engaged in his laptop, and Cody was staring in amazement at his book accounts.
The profit looking back at him made him wonder if board games was the job for him after all. Was it possible for him to make a living from stories instead?
It was all a bit much. Cody had never felt so overwhelmed before, let alone successful.
‘You all right up there, Wisher?’ asked Humphrey, not taking his eyes off his screen.
‘I think I’ve got imposter syndrome.’
‘Common condition. It’ll pass.’
Cody wasn’t so sure. He wasn’t sure about much lately. One minute he’s in uni, the next he’s half-looking for work in the business sector, just to please Zach, then he’s an accountant, a carpenter, a farmhand, a board game designer, an actor, and now an author.
Maybe I should just pick a lane .
‘I got a few cards today,’ mumbled Humphrey. ‘Told to apply for digital game art jobs. Junior level.’
‘That’s good. Your showreel is epic.’
‘Thanks, man. But competition is fierce.’
‘Got to be in it to win it. Hang on. What’s wrong with this conversation? We’ve swapped roles.’
Humphrey snorted a laugh, then sat up, looking serious for once. ‘It gets you excited, doesn’t it, being surrounded by people in the industry?’
‘Yeah, it shows us it’s doable.’
‘But bloody hard to get your foot in the door.’
Cody shrugged. ‘All we can do is try. At least we have goals and are doing something about it. Some people just dream and do nothing.’
Humphrey gestured at Willow. ‘Easy for some, eh?’
‘She hasn’t had it easy. She studied hard at uni. Got top marks. Her grandad was supposed to be easing her into his role, but, well, you know.’ Cody looked over his shoulder and smiled softly. ‘She’s taken on a lot. It might be a family business, but she’s the only one doing it full-time with her gran.’
‘Sorry about putting my foot in it earlier. I was carried away with the buzz and wasn’t thinking straight.’
‘No worries, mate. She was all right with it.’
She’s always all right with everything .
Cody smiled to himself as he went back to staring at his laptop in amazement.
Humphrey whizzed his one around to showcase his designs. ‘Look. Here’s what I propose for better ads for the Silver Willow series.’
‘Wow! You’re so good. And while we’re on the subject, how have you managed to reach so many readers with my stories in such a short time?’
‘I told you before you had follows from the fanfiction days. Plus, I posted everywhere. A few friends owed me favours as well, so I got them involved.’
‘Maybe you should get a job in marketing and advertising.’
Humphrey’s forehead creased. ‘Nah, you’re all right. I can do it, but it bores me. I was just excited to get your work out there, that’s all.’
‘Well, thanks. Whatever you did, you did good.’
‘I’m glad you’re pleased, because I’ve got you booked in to do a couple of podcasts.’
Cody’s tired eyes shot open. ‘What?’ he said quietly through gritted teeth.
‘The first is with Macca. You know how many followers he has. It’s not easy getting on his show, but he’s one of the mates who owed me.’
‘I didn’t even know you knew him.’
‘Goes out with my cousin.’
‘Ah, it’s who you know not what you know.’
Humphrey shrugged. ‘Don’t knock it. So, you in?’
Cody didn’t want to do interviews or make himself known. He’d only been a published author five minutes, and he’d kind of fell into that.
‘If anything, it’ll just be a chat about graphic novels,’ said Humphrey. ‘You can do that in your sleep. So stop overthinking and just flow, man.’
‘I feel like all I do lately is flow. Life was a lot easier in school. At least then I knew where I was supposed to be and when.’
‘Yeah, adulthood sucks. Still, at least we get to eat chocolate at bedtime now.’ Humphrey grinned, tossing him an orange chocolate bar.
Cody watched it land on the bed, then shut down his laptop and left it on the desk. The hotel bedroom was small but had enough room for the three of them to sprawl their cases over the floor, have chargers and phones set up everywhere, and enough shelf space in the en suite for the washbags.
Humphrey was concentrating on his laptop again, so Cody went to the bathroom with his phone to call Zach.
‘Aren’t you at the convention thingy?’ was the first thing his brother asked.
Cody put the toilet seat down and sat. ‘I’m in my hotel room now.’
‘Any good?’
‘Standard room. Not like where you work.’
‘I meant the event.’
‘Oh, yeah. I was encouraged to submit my game.’
‘That’s great.’
Cody quirked an eyebrow. ‘It is?’
‘You love your hobby, so, yeah.’
‘It feels more than a hobby to me, Zach. Which leads me on to why I called.’
‘Should I be worried?’
Cody quietly laughed. ‘No. I have a surprise. And trust me when I tell you, it surprised me too.’
‘Okay, now I’m intrigued.’
‘You know those graphic novels I was always doodling?’
‘Yeah, about Willow.’
‘Not quite, but, yes, sort of. Anyway, Humphrey talked me into putting them up for sale. I’ve earned some money from them.’
Zach’s whoosh of joy crackled the phone line. ‘Brilliant. See, hobbies are good.’
‘Zach, I’ve made enough money to last me the year so far, and they’ve not been out five minutes. Humphrey did some sort of super advertising strategy or something. I had followers remember me from when I was writing fanfiction. I never thought anything of this. It was just a bit of fun. Now Humphrey’s made a website and everything.’
‘Wow, Cody, that’s incredible.’
A wave of warmth filled him as his brother’s words hit his heart. Cody always wanted to make Zach proud but often felt he was the weakest link in their small family.
‘I’m still looking for work,’ Cody felt the need to add, or rather, lie.
‘Stop stressing about that. I’ll be back soon. We can sort you out then, together, like we always do.’
That was the problem. Cody didn’t want Zach sorting his life anymore. Sure, it was easier, as his brother was way more organised and assertive. He didn’t get to be a hotel manager of a swanky hotel in London by just flowing. Zach had something Cody wished he possessed. Determination. Once Zach had his eyes on the prize, he went for it full on. Cody tended to test the water first.
‘I’m submitting my game when I get home, and I’m a lick of paint away from finishing Grandad’s old kiosk. I’ve come to realise I like doing more than one thing, so I was thinking I might just stick with the jobs I have, as I’m happy.’
There was silence, and Cody wasn’t sure if he’d lost the connection.
Zach’s breathing brought the conversation back to life. ‘Okay, if it makes you happy.’
Cody’s happiness was short-lived. Now he felt bad he wasn’t off to London to become a high-class suit. ‘I can pay you back for all you paid out during uni.’
‘Oi, don’t be daft. We’re not doing that. I pushed you down that road because I wanted you to earn some top dollar, but if you feel happier with what you’re doing now, then that’s the way it’ll stay. Cody, I just want you to be happy. And have money.’ Zach laughed, making Cody smile.
‘You really do like money, Zach.’
‘It’s needed. Anyway, I’ve only been working my backside off all this time so I can get back home and rebuild our house and restart our business. We’re going to need all this cash. Mostly, the boating will be seasonal, so we have to have backup for the winter.’
Cody perked up. ‘We have my money now. We can use that.’
‘We’ll see.’
‘Zach, let me help now I can.’
‘I said we’ll see. I don’t want you worrying about money. Everything’s fine.’
Cody sighed, slumping his shoulders. Zach never let him help with anything. ‘Any news on when you’ll be back?’
‘I’ll be back for Halloween to see your play, then I’ll be here to help ease the new guy into the role, then I’ll end the lease on the flat and head home.’
‘Fran said you can stay with us.’
‘That’s okay, I’ve got something sorted.’
That didn’t surprise Cody. Zach was always sorted. He wasn’t sure it was possible for anything to mess with his brother’s schedule.
They said goodnight, and Cody had a wash before heading to bed. Another full day was on the cards at the event tomorrow, and he wanted to be awake and alert to network the hell out of the exhibition.
Humphrey, the forever night owl, was still engrossed in his screen, so Cody left one side light on for him and slipped into bed beside Willow.
‘Sweet dreams, Wisher,’ whispered Humphrey, making Cody chuckle.
After telling his friend to get some shuteye, he snuggled his weary body further beneath the thin quilt and silently yawned.
Could life be any stranger? Graphic novel sales, extra income, Zach not pushing for the suit and tie, Willow’s arm resting on his back.
Cody was sure he wouldn’t get any sleep, but he closed his eyes anyway, daring himself to turn to face her.
Her hand moved, sliding down towards his bum. He swallowed hard, then slowly shuffled to the edge of the bed, away from sleepy wandering fingertips. There was no room in his head for Willow right now, and why did Zach have to mention the play? It was nice being away from it all for a bit. No stupid lines, no costumes to try on, and no Kip Kirkland.
Cody took a quiet calming breath and settled.
Everything’s going to be just fine .
The smallest of smiles hit his lips, quickly washed away by Willow suddenly spooning him. He widened his eyes, browsing Humphrey’s makeshift bed. Could he squeeze on there with him instead?
As much as he wanted to wriggle free, part of him didn’t want to budge at all. Willow was cuddling him, almost forcing him off the bed. Her arm snaked around his waist, and her face was smooshed into the back of his neck. He didn’t have the fight in him to move away. Besides, if soulmate Kip got his claws into her, closeness with Willow would soon be a thing of the past.
Sod it!
Cody closed his eyes and held her hand, brushing ever so lightly over her plastic wedding ring.
He opened his eyes again, thinking moments had passed, but the light was out, and Humphrey was snoring gently, so more time must have passed than he’d realised. It was still dark outside, and Willow was still fast asleep, only this time instead of her wrapped around his back, they were tangled in a face-to-face embrace in the middle of the bed, and Cody wasn’t quite sure if he was dreaming.
Willow stirred, groaning quietly. One eye sleepily peeped into his curious gaze, and Cody was frozen in time. He daren’t move, breathe, or even blink, and all his mind did was tell him to kiss her, but she closed her eye, smiled softly, then fell back to sleep, seemingly happy to be exactly where she was.
Cody had no idea what to do about their joined bodies. They couldn’t be any closer. Well, they could, but he couldn’t think about that in his position, as that would definitely make the situation more awkward, because if his thoughts went there, his body would react, and she would surely open that eye again, perhaps not with a smile.
He could feel her bare legs on his skin, as they were both in shorts and a tee-shirt, and it felt so, so good, and right. Natural, as though that’s how they always slept. It was incredibly tempting to stroke over her thigh, up her hip, across her stomach.
Oh, what a flipping dilemma. He was certain he should peel himself away, but she was so snuggled and looked peaceful, and he would have been fine cuddling, but watching her in his arms was only hurting his heart, as he knew she had her mind made up that the dude in the drawing was the only one for her.
Cody gazed up at the ceiling, giving it a death glare as though it had insulted him. He was wide awake and sure he would stay that way till the birds started tweeting in the trees.
Willow made a light muffled sound whilst pushing further into him, and that was about as much as he could take. Gently, he unravelled himself from her vice-like grip and slid over to the other side of the bed, turning to see if she had anything to say about that. She stayed where she was, her arms now empty and the slight smile gone from her face.
God, I love you, Willow .
He turned away, not wanting to see what he couldn’t have. Not wanting to feel heartache or rejection. He closed his eyes but stayed awake till dawn.