Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
He’s only ever spoken to Joey via in-game chat or messages.
He’s convinced Joey’s an adult and more than that. Someone who could take his place.
So I think today’s the day to put him out of his misery, and he can see for himself that his nemesis is actually a ten-year-old kid.
Most gamers have one anyway without even realizing it.
Some kids today are so smart, so bright. Just not in the way school thinks they should be, so their talents get overlooked.
But not our Joey.
I keep saying he’s going places, and his position with our company is guaranteed. Even though he’s happy with free gameplay and merchandise, he’s got way more than that coming.
Jade’s stuff isn’t enough to fill a whole van, but Miles’ loan of his truck means we can easily fit everything in one load and still have room in front for all of us.
Of course, Joey wants to come and stay with us forever. But we whittled the deal down to his staying for the school holidays.
Giving him and his mom a break from each other. Having him on hand to help with the work on the game he’s taken on as a personal project is a great idea.
Bordering on obsession, Joey’s interest in helping make the game better reminds me a lot of a younger man I used to know.
Me.
Long before the world and its cruel ways knocked the stuffing out of me.
I’ve learned a lot from my experiences, and I’m determined to help Joey get ahead without making the same mistakes.
He’s next door with his mom, and Jade’s mom, May, is there too.
All of them are in fine spirits, all things considered.
I really thought May would disown her only daughter once she found out she was hooking up with an older guy.
She even made it sound like she has to rent out Jade’s room to keep her head above water. But I think that’s just something she made up to tease Jade about.
See, Joey’s not the only one guaranteed a place in our company.
Even Jade’s mom and Joey will have a spot reserved for them.
I don’t plan on launching a new game and company without extra staff, and truth be told, I’m going to need all the help I can get.
How on earth did I think I could do everything the way it was heading before I met Joey and Jade? I’ll never know.
Although I didn’t hear it from Jade, her mom, and Joey’s mom don’t just work for the local shipping company. They pretty much run it while someone else takes all the credit.
A story close to my own heart.
So once I quizzed May and Sheree a little, it was clear they’re more than capable of managing the distribution and shipping of our finished game products.
Once they’re finished, that’s where Joey’s going to shine.
Probably the busiest school holidays he’s ever had are coming up, but it could also be the most lucrative for him and all of us in time.
Once the truck’s loaded with the last of Jade’s belongings, we both head next door and find Joey sitting atop a pile of his own.
“Uh… It’s only for a couple of weeks, Joey. Not forever,” I remind him, smiling awkwardly at Jade.
“Not planning on running away, I hope?” she kids him, shooting me a wink that assures me he’s not. But I’m not so sure.
“It’s all his computer gear,” Jade explains, playfully punching my arm and setting my mind at ease.
Telling Joey in her next breath that there’s more computer gear than he’s ever dreamed of waiting for him at our place.
Hearing her call my place our place always makes me smile.
She’s come a long way to accepting herself as my right hand, my absolute equal in everything.
And it also makes me smile when I see her taking charge like she is today.
She’s actually way more organized than I ever was, and it shows in everything we do together now.
Including making sure that Joey understands he’s only visiting.
He’s not moving in with us.
I mean, Joey’s great. But I’d rather focus on making some kids of our own instead of poaching someone else’s.
“I know,” Joey chimes, patting the stacks of carefully packed boxes as if they’re his babies.
“I just like to use my own stuff. I want to feel at home. Is that okay, Zak?” he asks me.
“Sure thing, Joey,” I smile. “It’ll help fill the rest of the truck anyhow,” I tell him, asking if he needs help with the bigger stuff.
He agrees excitedly, relieved he gets to take everything he wants with him, and the girls group together as we set to work loading the truck.
Talking in low tones and giggling the way they do whenever they’re together now.
It used to make me feel better about things, seeing them all so close and chatting friendlier than I ever saw them when I first met both moms.