by Dante Steel
“I really hate that you investigate me. I’m not—I don’t deserve to have my privacy invaded like that.”
“Do not be alarmed, Mr. Johnson.”
“Gary. My name is Gary. We’ve been over this.”
“Very well, Gary. I have come here to inform you that there has been a breech.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Unfortunately, there was a breech in the security of the game. I cannot at this time tell you if anything has been affected. So far, everything is as it should be, but I thought it best to inform you. You are pleased I told you, yes?”
“I want answers, Haru. I don’t want games, and I’m sure as hell not going to give you a pat on the back for telling me that something is wrong, but you don’t know what it is. Or maybe you do know, but you aren’t going to tell me. I’m so sick and tired of the games and bullshit, Haru. When is it going to stop? When is it going to end?”
“It will end. Let me assure you. You will be returned to your life. I only do not know when. We are doing everything in our power—”
“You need to involve more people then because the power so far is lacking.”
“You are frustrated. I understand.”
“Frustrated is one fucking word for it! Those vampires are insane! Do you know how many we faced the other night? I went up fifty levels. Fifty! That’s mind-boggling!”
“It is, but now, you will find the vampires easier to handle, yes? Since you are that much stronger, that much more powerful.”
“Dude, I’m still not a hero in this game yet.”
“Because you have not yet completed enough quests.”
“Just make me a superhero already. I want to change my name.”
“I know. I understand. My hands are tied. I cannot have you jump that far ahead. I am sorry.”
“You’re sorry. That’s helps me a lot, hearing that. You’re sorry. Your apology doesn’t mean shit to me. You know, I almost wonder if you really are a developer. Maybe you’re just on the PR part of the gaming company and you’re trying to talk me down and keep me just informed enough to make me happy so I won’t sue.”
“Mr. Johnson—Gary, rather—please, I assure you—”
“Your assurances mean nothing.”
“Very well. All I can tell you is this. There has been a breech, and I can give you some advice. Be careful, Gary. Be very careful.”
Gary shouted after Haru, “Can you send us back to the first issue?” but the Japanese man had already left the room.
Great. Wonderful. This was fantastic. The last breech in security had been Samuel August, insane genius, entering the game. Had someone else done the same?
“Or is the breech Samuel August crossing over to Vampire War?” Gary rubbed his chin. Either way, this wasn’t a good thing. Not at all.
Right or wrong, Gary kept the information from the girls for a few days. Olivia was the same as she always was, flirting with them all, a bit more with the girls than before. Nicoletta didn’t seem to mind, but she didn’t flirt back much. She seemed to have forgotten about that kiss she had shared with Olivia. Elena ignored her mostly but didn’t seem as upset about it as before.
Then again, Elena had been ignoring all of them, even Gary. She was becoming a bit of a loner. He tried to reach out to her several times a day, but she didn’t want to be bothered. She wanted to be alone. He knew she had to work through things her own way and on her own timeline, but he so desperately wanted her back. She had given him so much of herself that for her to pull back now left him feeling isolated as well.
As for Nicoletta, Gary caught her a few times talking with and flirting with other gamers. It hurt Gary that she was doing this, and he wondered if she was pissed at him.
Finally, one night, before she left, he drew her aside.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she said, stubbornly not looking at him.
“I don’t think it’s nothing. Talk to me, Nicoletta. Please.”
“Por favor,” she snapped. “I don’t want to talk. No. No talk.” She muttered something in Spanish.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry,” he said, and he winced since the words almost came out as a question.
“For what?” she asked coolly, crossing her arms.
“For upsetting you.”
“And how did you upset me?”
Damn it. She knew he had no idea. He hung his head. He was playing with her when he had accused Haru of doing the same thing to him.
“I… Because of Elena.”
“And Olivia. Seriously, how could you two gang up on her like that?”
“We did not gang up on her!” he protested. “Elena was the one who wanted it, wanted me.”
“You didn’t think to tell her no just because of her grief?”
“I didn’t want to upset her.”
“Bullshit. You just wanted to fuck her.”
“It wasn’t fucking her,” he said quietly. “Just like I never fucked you.”
“Stop it. We never had sex.”
“Yes, we did.”
“You slept with my avatar. Not me.”
“It felt real to me, and I thought it meant something to you. If it didn’t, I’m sorry. I never meant to do anything to any of you that you didn’t want to.”
“Why the hell did Olivia even interject then and there? She knew about Elena’s mother!”
“Olivia… She…” He shrugged, words failing him.
“She wanted anything and everything that has a pulse. She would fuck an animal.”
“That isn’t true, and you know it. That’s not fair. That’s not right.”
“Maybe not,” she muttered darkly, “but I can’t keep pretending that that didn’t happen.”
“Elena’s not as upset about it as you are!”
“Are you so sure about that?” Nicoletta asked coolly. “Because she talks to me more than she talks to either of you, and it’s because she can’t stand what you two did.”
“I didn’t…” Gary ran a hand through his hair. “Look. I care for you. Deeply.”
“And Elena. And Olivia. Elena I get but Olivia? Come on, chico.”
“What is wrong with Olivia?” he demanded.
“She’s too… much.”
“She’s been through a lot,” he said. “You would know if you talked to her. Is she a bit liberal with her love? Maybe, but is that so terrible of a thing? She’s been through her own hell, Nicoletta, and you and I, we have no place to judge her.”
Nicoletta hesitated and considered his words. “What happened to her?”
“It’s not my place to say.”
“Cop out.” She sighed and rolled her eyes.
“Believe me, if it were your story, you would be so pissed at me for telling it that you wouldn’t speak to me again for the rest of my life plus fifty years.”
“That bad, huh?” Nicoletta grew quiet.
“I never meant to hurt you or Elena or Olivia.”
“I don’t think Olivia’s hurting any.”
“Maybe not from me but from her past…”
“Ah.” She rubbed her arms as if cold. Normally, Gary would have pulled her close to warm her up, or he would’ve asked if he could. Right now, he didn’t know if she would appreciate it, so he kept his mouth shut.
“Why are you flirting with the other gamers?” he asked. He did his damnedest to not sound upset, but he was.
“Who the hell are you to sound all judgmental?” she exploded. She shook her head frantically and opened her mouth.
Quickly, he raced over and pushed her mouth shut. Her eyes grew wide with fury, but then, smoke came out of her nose and ears, just like in a cartoon. He eyed her, and she nodded.
“Sorry,” she muttered, hardly looking at him.
“You almost blasted me with fire!”
“Yeah, well, you got me so heated…” She paused, and they caught each other’s eyes. Both burst out laughing.
H
e chuckled. “I needed that laugh. Things have been so intense lately.”
“I know. That’s why I’ve been talking to other gamers. I need a release.”
“Away from us? Away from me?”
She shrugged.
“And it honestly didn’t look or sound like just talking to me.”
“You can’t judge. You want your cake, brownie, and lollipop too.”
He glanced down.
“Fine. You’re the lollipop. Um, cake, brownie, and pie. You can’t have us all.”
“I know it’s wrong. I know it’s not right. But my heart—”
“Your heart is torn between three different women, and instead of being man enough to pick one—”
“Maybe I’m man enough for all three of you,” he challenged. “Damn. Can I sound any more egotistical?”
“Actually, you don’t sound half bad compared to some of the other gamers.”
“That’s no excuse. I know actions speak louder than words, but I don’t want to hurt any of you, and I do… I care about you all. More than I can say. I don’t want to have to choose. I don’t want to lose any of you.”
Nicoletta rubbed her shoulder. “I have something to tell you.”
“Something good? You figured out your future?”
“No.”
“Not your future or not good?”
“Both.”
“Is it something all of us should hear?” he asked.
She nodded miserably.
“Actually, I have something to tell you all to.”
“You first,” she called as he went to retrieve the others.
Once all four of them were together, Gary sucked in a deep breath. “I talked to Haru. He said there’s been a breech. He doesn’t know what it is or what caused it, but he said we should be careful.”
“Great,” Elena muttered.
“I have better news,” Nicoletta said fake-cheerfully.
“Really?” Olivia asked.
“No,” Nicoletta snapped. “I’ve been talking to other gamers, and, guys, he’s back. The breech? It’s Smaug. He’s here in Vampire War.”
Chapter Sixteen
Gary rubbed his chin. “You two need to go, so we won’t act on this intel until later.”
“Why not?” Elena asked. “We’re the strongest two anyhow.”
“Hey,” Nicoletta said.
Elena shrugged. “Gary can do what Olivia can.”
Olivia swallowed hard. “So I’m obsolete, is that what you’re saying?”
“If the leotard fits… and in your case, it doesn’t.”
Olivia smirked. “You’re just jealous because you can’t fill one out like I can.”
“You can’t fill it. You’re falling out of it!”
“It’s a gift. What can I say?”
“They aren’t real! I bet you’re an ‘A’ cup in real life. You’re overcompensating for something clearly.”
“Oh, so you’re the psychologist now? Guess I should just give back my degree.”
“Look, you two,” Gary started.
Nicoletta shook her head, and he sighed. He didn’t want to have to watch them fight.
“Gary is stronger than you are,” Elena said. “Face facts.”
“You want me to face facts? How about you face facts. You aren’t even mourning your mom. You’re just going around, pretending nothing’s happened—”
“You don’t know me. You don’t know my life story. You don’t have any right to judge me, okay? So you can take that white horse you’re riding on and—”
“I have no horse, Elena. I have no issues. None.”
“Oh, yeah? What about your fear of heights?”
“I think I’ve been handling that just fine, don’t you? If you would’ve let me finish—”
“No wonder you went into psychology. You clearly love to hear yourself speak.”
“I have no issues with you. You hate me for wanting you. For falling for you because you’re every bit as strong and powerful as you say you are. Fine. Hate me for it. But that won’t change how I feel.” Olivia blinked back tears. “I try to seem happy and upbeat all the time, but I’m not. Cut me and I bleed and all of that crap. I know you’ve had a rough go of it, and I’m sorry. I hate that. I want you to be happy. I do. But pretending that the death of your mother hasn’t affected you will only make things worse. Let me help you.”
“I don’t need your help!”
“Maybe you don’t. Fine, but let someone else help you. Gary or Nicoletta or someone else. Someone. Please. I know that death isn’t easy, and it affects everyone differently, but no one, absolutely no one, is better for it by shutting themselves away from the people they need the most.”
“The people who need me the most are back home,” Elena said, tears filling her eyes.
“But who do you need the most?” Gary asked softly. “Relatives you hardly saw or spoke to?”
Elena shook her head. Wordlessly, she began to cry.
Gary wanted to hold her, but he didn’t know if he could or should. Nicoletta stepped forward to hug her, and Elena accepted it. Olivia started forward, but Elena shook her head. Gary knew to stay back at that point. He wasn’t going to push his luck. Elena wasn’t ready.
Eventually, Olivia went away, and then Nicoletta departed too after saying her farewells.
Gary turned to Elena. “Do you want to talk?” he asked.
“Not right now,” she said. “I want to get drunk first.”
Which, for better or worse, was exactly what happened. Elena got drunk, and then she started to share some stories about her mom and how much of a helicopter mom she was and how she wouldn’t let Elena do anything. But as the night wore on, Elena added a few stories that showed her mom really did love her, and Elena began to cry again. This time, Gary did hug her. He helped her off the bench and into their room.
All night long, he held her. He was there for her. And when they woke up to start the day, she whispered, “Thank you.
“Always. Anytime. Anything you need. You know that, right?”
After a slight hesitation, she said, “I do.”
The other two ladies were already in the tavern by the time they made it there. Despite her agitation at Gary for wondering why she couldn’t play over the summer, Nicoletta played almost every day and for hours at a time. Gary loved it, but he couldn’t help worry if she was eating enough, getting out enough. Playing the game for so long couldn’t be the healthiest for her, but he didn’t want her to stop playing. That would be terrible. Same with Olivia.
He cleared his throat. “Right now, it’s just a rumor that he’s back. We need to find out for sure if he is.”
“You want to go and find him?” Elena asked. “Is that smart?”
“Find him and fight him are two very different things,” he pointed out.
“Yes, but seriously, that’s crazy,” Elena said.
“No,” Olivia argued. “What’s crazy is letting him fight hordes of vampires day and night so that he’ll be level six-hundred and sixty-nine in no time.”
“Grow up,” Elena said.
Olivia grinned. “Ninety-six is actually my favorite number. You know. Since inflation hits everything.”
Nicoletta face-palmed. “Seriously?”
“Don’t you have a favorite number?” Olivia asked her seriously.
“I do,” Elena said. “Two.”
“Oh, she burned you,” Nicoletta said. “I know. I’m on fire.” She held out her hand, and fire appeared on her palm.
“What the hell?” Gary asked. “Are you all drunk or something?”
“We need sleep,” Nicoletta said.
“We’re only getting about four hours a night,” Olivia said.
“What? Why?” Elena asked.
“Because we’re here so much,” Nicoletta said.
“It’s not easy playing so much, but we can’t let you two be here without us for long,” Olivia said.
“You want to know what’s fun?” Nicolett
a asked. “Olivia’s come back. She’s staying at my place for the summer.”
“Yeah, I’ll figure out the whole job thing afterward. One more summer before I enter the workforce.”
“Why psychology and not psychiatry?” Elena asked.
“Are you…” Olivia gasped. “Are you taking an interest in my personal life?”
“No, I just think it’s pointless to go into psychology.”
“Oh, she burned you again.”
“Nicoletta, can you grow up? You can be so immature at times.”
“You’re snippy when you’re tired,” Nicoletta countered.
Olivia opened her mouth, hesitated, considering, and then nodded. “This is true. To answer your question, it’s because of the amount of school, the years of it and the cost. I can get to work now with a ton less debt and less hours too. Less pay of course but I could have time for a family.”
A family. Gary hadn’t thought about that. Kids. Nope. He wasn’t going to think about that now either.
He couldn’t help looking at Elena though. She hadn’t shown any signs of being pregnant. He wasn’t about to ask her if she had gotten her period since they had sex. He was close to her but not that close.
“We need to know where Smaug is so we can avoid him,” Gary said, trying to redirect the conversation back on track. “That’s if he is here.”
“All right. Fine. Let’s go, Boss Man.” Olivia saluted him.
“Don’t salute me,” he said.
“Why not?”
“I don’t deserve it.”
“You deserve everything I give you and then some.”
“If he doesn’t want you to salute him, then don’t salute him,” Elena said. “It’s that simple.”
“Can I salute you?” Olivia asked.
“Only if I can salute you.” Elena gave her the finger.
“Aw, that’s the salute I wanted to give you!”
Gary just shook his head, but all three of the girls were laughing so maybe their being ridiculous was a good thing.
He knew one thing for sure. Their squabbling wasn’t making him want them any less. If anything, he was turned on by their bickering all the more. Hey, couldn’t bickering be considered flirting?
Possibly. Or maybe he was just getting his hopes up.