Chapter 4
AHRI WAS QUIET ON THE drive to the gaming den.
For some reason, the phone thing had hit her harder than anything else.
She’d been in a dream-like state, but the issue of her electronic footprint being traceable had made it real.
Bill seemed committed to making her go silent.
While she appreciated that he was trying to keep her safe, it worried her that she might not have access to her money.
The car pulled up to the theater, and she surveyed a giant sign that hung where the marquee would have been with the words The Gaming Den, cleverly made up of controllers and board game pieces.
They got in line to pay their entrance fee which Rafe handled.
She liked that he didn’t assume he should get in free.
“I can pay for myself.” Ahri did have some cash on her.
“I’ve got it.” Rafe gently touched her arm when she started to argue. “I’m actually looking forward to this as more than a work visit. Please, let me pay for you.”
Warmth crept up her face and spread through her body. His bright blue eyes held hers for a second. Then a small crease appeared between them. He blinked and dropped his hand.
“Okay,” Ahri said when she could finally get a breath. “Thanks.”
All the garbage she’d been dealing with lately must have taken its toll on her. What an emotional mess she was, responding to him like that. She gave herself a mental shake. It was stupid.
When they entered, the smell of popcorn hit Ahri, and her stomach growled. Not wanting to think about whatever that had been with Rafe, she turned her attention to the line of people at the concessions.
On the other side of the lobby was the nook Rafe had mentioned, where two tables had been set up. One had people playing a card game. Based on how they were dressed, one wearing elf ears and another in a mage’s robes, she guessed it might be Magic.
“What does it cost in utilities for a place this size?” she asked. “Can they make enough at the door and with concessions to pay the overhead?”
“That’s the question of the year,” Rafe said. “They only opened six months ago. We’re trusting that enough gamers want the shared in-person experience. They’re advertising at local theaters and online. The numbers have been steadily increasing as word gets out.”
Ahri’s stomach growled again.
“Sounds like you’re ready for dinner,” Rafe said with a chuckle.
“Some things I just can’t hide.” She followed him to the concessions line, glancing back at Bill.
He held back, watching people. Bill had a way about him, meeting people’s eyes and nodding his head in acknowledgment, that made him look like a people watcher. He was good at not looking creepy doing it.
“Hot dog, right?” Rafe asked.
“Yes, please. And I really need some chocolate.” She moved past him to the rack with the large candy boxes and muttered to herself, “It’s been one of those weeks.”
“I think you’re holding up really well,” Rafe said from behind her.
Ahri jumped and put her hand to her heart. “I thought you were getting the dogs.”
He held up two long boxes. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s okay. Maybe I won’t be so jumpy when we’re out of Phoenix.”
Rafe put the hot dogs on the counter and reached for her box of candy. Pinching her lips, she handed it over.
“Let’s eat first.” Rafe nodded at some round tables near the concessions counter and strode to a table.
She picked up packets of condiments on the way to join him, watching the people with interest. A group of five guys came from the hallway of theater rooms, all chatting enthusiastically.
Rafe grinned and nodded in their direction. “Listen to them.”
Ahri did, and the lingo sounded familiar. “They just finished a game of REKD.”
He nodded. “And they won.”
The group went to the concessions counter and picked out food, discussing strategies and reliving good plays. Another group of five followed, not looking as happy. She decided they’d lost the match.
“I wish I could lose myself in this world.” Ahri took a bite of her hot dog.
“What do you mean?” Rafe sipped from his cup. “Do you want to get a job in a place like this?”
“No,” she said when she’d swallowed. “What would I do here? I’m an office manager. I think the innovation part of what you guys are doing is what appeals to me. I’d love to be part of creating something.” She shook her head. “I don’t know how to explain it. I guess I’m just tired of my life.”
“I can understand that. I’ve felt the same way many times.”
“Really?” Ahri studied him. She’d thought he had everything. Not many guys were billionaires before they were thirty.
“I got everything I wanted.” Rafe heaved out a breath.
Ahri’s heart twisted a little at his obvious unhappiness.
No, it wasn’t that. Dissatisfaction maybe.
Did the other guys know? Kayn had said several times that it was because Rafe was good at what he did that they’d done so well, that he had business savvy.
How hard was it for him to be forced into a role just because he was good at it?
Rafe finished his food, lost in his own thoughts. Ahri wondered how old he was. If she remembered right, he was the youngest of the four guys.
“Everything happened so fast,” he finally said. “I’d just started the second semester of my graduate program when we got the first offer to sell.”
Ahri remembered how excited Kayn had been. The idea of her brother being a millionaire had blown both of them away.
“You talked them into holding out,” she said.
“I figured we were doing just fine as we were.” Rafe rose and gathered the trash.
“Did you think they’d counter the offer?”
“I didn’t.” He stood a little taller, and the corner of his mouth twitched. “That was a happy surprise. They really wanted the rights to that first game.”
“Are you sorry now you sold?” she asked.
“Why do you ask?” Rafe watched her, suddenly wary.
“Because you don’t sound happy.” Ahri knew that look. She’d seen it in her mirror for months.
“I’m twenty-five and a billionaire. Why shouldn’t I be happy?” Rafe gave a stiff shrug and wouldn’t look at her. “Ready to check out this place?”
“Sure.” Ahri followed him. He acted a lot older than twenty-five.
She doubted getting lucky with a game had made him so serious and mature.
What had happened in his past to have done that to him?
It struck her that he seemed like people she knew who were missing something in their lives.
Like herself. It was obvious money couldn’t buy everything.
Her thoughts drifted to her brother. Lately, they’d only been able to talk once a week rather than every couple of days. Some of that had been because of the project he was working on, the same one that’d made it hard for him to get away to come for her. Was he unhappy too?
Rafe nodded toward the entrance that led to the hallway of theater rooms. He guided her with a hand on the small of her back.
For some reason Rafe kept his hand there as they walked. She liked the comforting feel of it, the sense of belonging somewhere. His closeness and gentle touch made her feel watched over, protected. It also confused her, and she didn’t want to be even more confused right now.
Rafe opened the first door that had sound coming from it. They walked up the ramp. The large theater screen had the loading page for a game of REKD.
“Wow,” she breathed. “It’s amazing on the big screen. How do they get the game to show at that quality?”
“No idea. The tekkies handle that.” Rafe guided her the rest of the way into the room and paused. Bill ducked in behind them.
The seating in the lower three-quarters of the room had the same stadium seating as a theater, probably left over from its former use.
A few people sat in the seats, apparently spectators waiting for the game to begin.
The big difference came at the top. A platform had been constructed for the two teams of five each.
They sat on opposite sides with a large space between them.
Like in the professional games, they wore headsets so they could talk to team members.
“I’d like to sit right below one of the teams so I can hear their game chatter,” she said.
“Lead the way.”
Ahri checked the screen and recognized some of the names. She gasped and glanced back at Rafe. “This is the pro team.”
He grinned and nodded. “Do you follow them online?”
“I don’t miss a match if I can help it. Forget baseball or soccer. They’re boring.”
Rafe chuckled and indicated they should move further down the row.
“How much do you play?” he asked as they took their seats.
“Daily, if I can. I guess you could call it my hobby.”
The pregame champion bans and selections were finished, and the game started.
“Is this just a practice game?” she whispered, leaning close to Rafe.
“Yes.” His warm breath tickled her ear and sent a little tingle down her spine. He smelled really good. She shook her head at the random thought and tried to pull back her thoughts. He added, “The Midsummer Clash will be held in Miami.”
“Will you be broadcasting it in any of the rooms here?” Ahri asked. “I think it’d be a fun shared experience.”
“We’ve talked about it. The owner ought to make a killing on concessions.”
“Enough to make this month’s rent anyway,” Ahri said.
“Let’s hope so. If enough people enjoy coming, this could turn into a lucrative investment.”
“You already get huge crowds at the live locations,” she said.
“I’ll bet there are plenty of people who’d like to watch the events together, but they’d need to know about them.
Theaters broadcast special events like plays.
Imagine if locals could win tickets to come here to watch a live broadcast of the Clash finals. It might be good advertising.”
Rafe gave a soft grunt like he was thinking about it and turned his attention to the game.
As usual, Ahri found herself wrapped up in the game play.
She loved to watch how the pro players used clever spell or attack combinations when they used her favorite champion’s wombo-combos.
It was a close game. When it ended and the pro team won, she jumped to her feet with the others, applauding.
At the end, the lights brightened, and a man entered.
“That’s Tim Nasus, the owner.” Rafe stood.
“I just heard you’d sneaked in. Everyone,” the man pointed to Rafe, “we have a special guest tonight. This is Rafe Davis, one of the creators of REKD.”
“Is the game really your initials?” one of the pro team members asked.
“It sure is. Rafe, Ezreal, Kayn, and Darius,” Rafe said as everyone gathered around him. “It’s also a play on the gaming term rekt.”
“Kayn, like a cane you walk with?” Another pro member asked with a chuckle. “All this time I’ve been pronouncing it cayenne.”
Ahri covered her mouth to keep from laughing. Her brother always hated it when people mispronounced his name. She stepped back, and Bill moved to her side, keeping an eye on the small crowd.
Rafe did a good job of answering questions. Finally, he looked back at her.
“We’ve been invited to play. Are you interested?”
“I’m only Ruby 5, so I’m not that highly ranked,” she said.
“It’s just in fun,” Rafe said.
“I’ll play,” she said, glancing at the pro team members, “but go easy on us, okay?”
“No way.” Rafe frowned. “If we win, I don’t want anyone to say they threw the game for us.”
“Fine. I call support.” Ahri glanced at the team stations. “Where do I sit?”
She was surprised when Bill took up one of the seats. He took the jungle role which seemed to suit him. The five-member team was filled out by two people from the audience.
Ahri had never played with Rafe before. He was really good.
One of the things she loved about the support role was watching out for her team members.
In the game it was easy for her to forget her problems and do something she could control.
She and Rafe partnered well on the bottom battle lane.
Their team put up a good fight, but in the end, they were spanked.
“That was fun.” She shook everyone’s hands, surprised to find how much more relaxed she was.
Rafe talked with Mr. Nasus for a few minutes while the players queued up for another game.
“Do you have to stand around being bored stupid very often?” she asked Bill.
“It’s never boring to watch a game.” Bill nodded toward Rafe who was approaching them.
“You ready to go?” he asked.
“If you are,” she said. “Thanks for letting me come.”
Rafe took his seat beside Ahri, surprised at how much he’d enjoyed the evening. She looked better than she had when they’d left the hotel, so it’d been a good break for her. He was glad.
With Kayn so busy the next couple of weeks, Rafe wondered if Ahri would receive the kind of support she’d need. The idea that she’d be better off at his mother’s bed-and-breakfast kept coming to mind. With two young children and a garden to help tend, there’d be plenty to keep her distracted.
“It’s probably too soon to ask about your plans,” Rafe began and immediately wished he hadn’t spoken.
“Plans. I wish I knew what to do.” Ahri looked away from him, out the window. “Leaving my job here with a day’s notice has burned that bridge. It might be hard to get another job.”
“I meant your plans for Zed.”
She turned to face Rafe, and their gazes met. “You mean besides divorce him?”
“I’ve assumed you’d do that, since it seems the only sensible thing to do. Are you still in love with him?” He groaned. “Sorry. Sometimes my brain rattles around like a BB in a boxcar.”
“What?” She stared at him in confusion.
“It’s an expression that means I’m stupid. I shouldn’t have asked you such a personal question.”
“It’s okay. I haven’t loved him in . . . I don’t know. A long time. He’s not the man I married.” She made that motion again, rubbing her chest, like her heart hurt. “I just don’t understand where we went wrong. I think that hurts the most. I feel like such a failure.”
“I get it.” Rafe wasn’t about to go into his own relationship issues. “Just know that you have whatever time you need. Not just from Kayn. I’ll support you in whatever you need. And the other guys will too.”
“Thank you.” Ahri glanced at him, her eyes glistening.
Rafe wished he could do more for her.