by Claire Adams
"Quinn, I'm glad I caught you. Please don't tell me you have to study this weekend. There's a great tournament in Vegas. Low-key, just gathering players for the bigger events, but I want you to come with me. You'll have a really good time, I promise," Owen said.
"Whoa, wait, slow down. You want me to join you in Vegas this weekend?" I tried to grab Darla's hand, but she had already stood up. She went to my closet, pulled out my small suitcase, and started packing. "For a video game tournament?"
"Honey, who cares if he wants you to dress up as a blue alien? You're going," Darla whispered.
"I told you I think you have potential as a player. And you said it yourself, you love playing. Come on, Quinn. Live a little," Owen said.
"You know I should be studying. I have hundreds of assignments to catch up on," I said.
"Come with me, Quinn. Don't make me beg. We'll have fun. Unless you're scared of a little fun?"
I stood up. "I am not scared of fun. I am fun."
"Live a little. I dare you," Owen said.
I could hear his smile and it was infuriating at the same time as sparks sizzled in my stomach. "Fine. You're on. I'll call when I'm close."
I hung up the phone, and Darla squealed so loud I had to clap my hands over my ears. "That's my girl! Oh, Quinn, thank God! This is just what you need."
"Did that really just happen?" I asked. My phone rang again and I was sure it was Owen calling back to tell me he'd called the wrong girl. "Oh, great, it’s my father."
"Quinn? Shouldn't you be studying?" my father asked.
"I saw it was you. I thought it might be important," I said.
"Well, it is. Your advisor has asked me to meet with her regarding your nursing program. She said she had time on Monday."
"Sorry, this weekend is shot. I've got so much to catch up on. I'll talk to her and get back to you with a better time. Gotta run!" I hung up the phone and froze in place. "I just lied to my father."
"Like I said, girl, you need this," Darla said. She handed me my suitcase and smiled.
#
I drove the long and arid stretch between Los Angeles and Las Vegas in a blur. I was lucky the route was straight and easy. My heart swung on a hard pendulum between wild hopes and certain embarrassment. Had Owen invited me as his date or as his friend? Was I like his kid sister or his secret crush?
It was ridiculous. There was no way that Owen was interested in me. We got along great, but I would always just be Sienna's kid sister.
Though, there had been little signs and hints and moments. My mind could not seem to leave those alone. It occurred to me that Owen had always seen me in a certain light and I was the one whose eyes were just opening.
No, that was too good to be true. I was bound to embarrass myself that weekend and I knew it. So when I parked in the Wynn parking ramp and immediately got lost, I took it as a sign. I was out of place.
I shared the elevator with four ultra-blonde swimsuit competitors who had shapes I had only seen molded from plastic. They even wore bright pink and impossibly high heeled shoes. I was short, dark, and completely out of fashion next to them. The elevator doors opened and a few people chuckled as I tripped out the elevator after the swim suit models.
Next up, I was almost trampled by a train of showgirls. That disaster spilled me into the lobby where a sea of gamers had taken over. I did not even fit in there amongst the black-clothed, pierced, tattooed, and fiercely well-informed crowd. Most of them seemed to be speaking a language I would never understand.
"Conjuring takes too long. If you play with a keyboard instead, you can program the F keys," a tall and surprisingly rotund young man said. He was wearing a black t-shirt that said “Flag Off.” It depicted a red flag flapping atop an extended middle finger.
"There are a few redundancies in the x-level play," a young woman with blue hair and a black stocking hat explained to her friend, "but it depends on your operating system. Just go to the app store and download the latest."
Not only were they speaking rapid fire in foreign terms, but everyone else seemed to know where to go but me. I finally reached up on my tip toes to squint at the lobby signs. Just after I spotted the registration sign with a large arrow, I saw Owen.
He was surrounded by a tight knot of people holding out Dark Flag booklets. Owen smiled and laughed and answered a dozen questions, plus signed four booklets before I even remembered to breathe again. I had forgotten he was Light Slayer, the hero of this world. Why on earth had he invited me to join him in Vegas for the tournament?
At that moment, Owen turned and somehow, across the sea of fans and gamers, he saw me. A slow smile spread across his square jaw, and I saw more than one woman hope it was for her. It took me a full four seconds to realize he actually was looking at me. Then, instead of standing in an overwhelming crowd, I felt like I was in orbit. One sigh and I would whirl away to the farthest regions of the universe.
"Please save me," Owen's lips mouthed across the lobby.
I did not think that could be right. My mind came up with at least six other more rational phrases than Light Slayer asking me for help. Still, Owen kept making eye contact and smiling at me. I started to fight the crowd towards him. Better to find out now if he was flirting with some statuesque blonde behind me.
I was about ten steps away when two very large men in black suits took up positions on either side of Owen. "Mr. Redd, could we ask you to move to the rotunda? We're having a bit of a foot traffic problem."
"No problem," Owen said. "Sorry, I'll see everyone later."
I half expected the bouncers to push me aside, but Owen reached out just in time. "There you are," he said. "Thank God."
"You said it was just a small tournament," I said.
"It is. Registration is always like this. Plus, someone plastered a picture of me here all over social media. I guess the game has been gathering a lot more fans than I thought," Owen said. He laced his fingers between mine and pulled me closer as we walked through the crowd.
"So, you're really a rock star of the gaming world, huh?" I asked.
Owen shook his head. "Who knows? Someone might take me down during the tournament. That's half the fun of Dark Flag – anyone can rise to power."
"My liege," a trio of blushing young girls bowed to Owen as we passed.
"Right. Guess you gotta soak it up while you can," I said. With all the attention Owen was getting, I had a new theory of why he wanted me there. "So, you needed me in a fake girlfriend situation to fend off all the crazy Dark Flag groupies?"
Owen laughed. "Not a bad idea, but no. I really thought you would have fun here."
I tried not to be disappointed but lagged behind when someone tapped me on the shoulder. "Seriously? You look just like your avatar. I recognize you from Dark Flag."
I turned to face a perfect oval face with bright violet eyes. Her long black hair was straight to her waist and shining black. "You recognize me? That's a little weird, isn't it?"
The gorgeous gamer scoffed. "If you're not observant, you're not going to be a very good player. You've been stalking the Light Slayer and hanging around. Kinda pathetic, don't you think, newbie?"
I looked at my fingers interlaced with Owen's as we made our way slowly through the crowd. "Does this look like stalking?" I asked.
Owen turned around. "Anya! It’s so good to see you. How are you?" He let go of my hand and embraced the black-haired woman.
She smiled at me around his shoulder. A fiery irritation flashed over me, but she was right – I was just hanging around Owen.
"Anya, this is Quinn. Quinn, this is Anya. She's one of the first gamers I worked with when I was learning code. Her first game made millions. She's the one that's redefining the gamer lifestyle," Owen said.
"I didn't catch what you do, Quinn. How do you two know each other?" Anya asked. She held out a delicate and bejeweled hand.
Owen shifted from one foot to the other. "Quinn and I have known each other forever. I used to date her sister Sie
nna."
"Really?" Anya cocked a sleek black eyebrow at me. "You don't look anything like her." She pulled Owen farther away from me. "I thought you were done with Sienna. She was no good for you. And now you're with her sister?"
I prayed my cheeks did not look as red as they felt. Owen shook his head and hesitated. "It's not like that."
"Well," Anya said, "I have our suite all ready. Let's get you settled in." She took Owen's arm.
"Your suite?" I asked.
Owen unhooked Anya's arm. "It’s kind of a tradition. Anya springs for a big suite and all our gamer buddies stay there. Not the most sophisticated way to travel. It’s more like a big sleepover, but it gives us time to practice."
"Don't worry," Anya said, "I'll let my security guy know who you are. You can visit anytime."
I stopped and looked back at the crowded registration counter. There was a slim chance I would get a room in the same hotel.
"Sorry, Anya. This is Quinn's first tournament and I promised I would show her the ropes," Owen said. "We'll check in and meet you."
"Nonsense. There's room enough for strays in the suite too. If that's what you want, Owen," Anya said.
Owen smiled and picked up our suitcases.
The suite turned out to be an exclusive two-bedroom villa. The main room featured a fireplace flanked by two couches. The dining area had an eight-foot table and full bar. There were two bathrooms and every luxury imaginable.
"I've got the master suite. Artemis and Alan have one bed. Tony and Milan have the other. Scottie called one couch, but I saw him reuniting with Alison in the lobby, so you might be able to snag that. Oh, you know how it works, Owen. You're welcome anywhere," Anya said. She smiled at him and strolled to the door of her room. "Get dressed. We're going to dinner."
I had the distinct feeling she was not talking to me, but after I met the small crowd of friendly gamers, it did not matter anymore. Luckily, Darla had thought to pack a little black dress because Anya was not kidding when she said dress up. She reappeared in a shimmering sequin dress that caught the light like fireworks.
"You look wonderful," Owen said.
I was surprised he was talking to me. The black dress fit like a second skin and the neckline was lower than I was comfortable with. I had layered a few beaded necklaces on in order to make it feel more decent.
Owen, on the other hand, looked stunning in his fitted black suit. He wore a black shirt underneath with no tie and had left the top few buttons opened. I was about to tell him how handsome he looked when Anya whisked him away. I was left to follow with the rest of the rag tag gamers.
I stopped at the elevator, sure that I would have to wait for the second one, but Owen reached for my hand and pulled me in. I bumped against his chest in surprise. My eyes were riveted to his chest revealed by the open buttons. He smelled like sandalwood and leather.
I was just coming around to feeling foolish when Owen slipped a hand around my waist and tucked me close to his side. "I'm glad you're here," he said and dropped a kiss on top of my head.
He had done the same thing for years, a quick squeeze and a light kiss on my head, but now there was heat. I felt more than warm all along where his arm encompassed me. His hand flexed against my waist, testing the curving of my hip.
I knew I was not imagining things because I caught an angry flash from Anya's dark eyes.
"Me, too," I agreed and slipped my arm around his back. "How about this time drinks are on me?"
Owen smiled, thinking of the last time we had drank together. The elevator doors opened and we went out together, despite Anya stepping between us. She had made reservations at Mizumi, the Wynn Hotel's four star Japanese restaurant.
She was obviously about to tell me I did not have a place at the table when Owen said. "Good thing Scottie went off with Alison. We won't have to ask them to set an extra place."
Anya smiled at him, but her eyes blazed when they flicked over me. It was obvious Anya had planned more than fun and games for the tournament and I was definitely in her way. She moved deftly between the red and white chairs and somehow insinuated herself between Owen and I. When he pulled out a chair and smiled at me, she slipped into it and thanked him. His lips quirked in a quick frown and he moved to the other side of the table.
"Who wants to order some fugu?" Owen asked.
"No, no thanks," I said. "I've read medical studies on eating blowfish."
"Damn. And here I thought you'd be a sushi virgin," he squeezed my knee.
The sushi was ocean-fresh and the saki warm. Owen was telling stories punctuated by his friends, and I could not stop smiling. Finally, I excused myself to use the restroom and smiled all the way there. Until I realized Anya had followed me.
She slipped in while I was washing my hands and caught my eyes in the mirror. Anya smiled sympathetically. "It is so nice of Owen to bring you here, get your mind off everything. I know he feels like Sienna's death was his fault. You must be the best way for him to assuage his guilt."
She led the way back to the table, knowing full well she had poisoned my evening more assuredly than a plate full of fugu.
CHAPTER NINE
Quinn
I had assumed the gamers were night owls, but when we were still playing and it was 3am, I was barely staying conscious. Owen was going full force, but he noticed and pulled me against him. I fell asleep on his shoulder as the party continued around me.
When I woke up in the morning, I was curled up on the couch under a blanket. Owen was stretched out on the floor beneath me, his arms tucked behind his head as he slept. I looked down and let myself have a long, leisurely study of him. Years of stolen glances wer not enough.
Owen's blond hair was thick and he had it cut short enough to be effortless. Whatever happened, it was mussed perfectly. I was surprised by the sculpted contours of his arms. In between playing, he must work out. Then again, Owen had always looked like a quarterback, lean and hard. While he slept, his wide mouth was curled in a small smile, but his square jaw made him look like a warrior. I half expected him to fly awake and draw his sword.
I squeezed my eyes shut. It was too easy to mix reality with Dark Flag. Especially after spending hours in the game and falling asleep still within its world. I had to remind myself this was the real world, albeit in Vegas, and here, things were different.
There was one similarity, though. In both worlds, I was still an outsider. Owen's friends had spent hours showing me their best moves and giving me all the insider knowledge I needed to navigate Dark Flag, but I was still a newbie. Half of the night, Anya had targeted me and I died countless times. She called it training but it was obvious she was trying to get me away from Owen.
I slipped out of my covers and climbed over the back of the couch so as not to disturb Owen. The truth was I had come to Vegas to be close to Owen, but the more I saw of the gaming world, the more I knew it was the place for me. In a way, Anya was right – if I wanted to be there, I could not slip in on Owen's good will. I had to earn my place.
I grabbed my bag and changed from the wrinkled black dress into a pair of dark jeans and a black tank top. I threw the layers of beaded necklaces on again because the low-cut tank top was revealing, but it was also my only other piece of black clothing besides my black sandals. Once I was dressed, I headed downstairs to the registration desk.
The smile I got from the young desk clerk was encouraging. "Good morning," he said.
"It is," I smiled. "Good morning to you too. Is there any way there is a room available?"
He typed furiously on his computer, but I had the feeling it was all for show. "Actually, it looks like one just came available. We had a few cancellations last night. Single?"
"Yes," I said.
He grinned again and took my driver's license and credit card to fill in the information. "Is there anything else I can do for you? Anything at all, Ms. Thomas?"
"You can call me Quinn for starters," I said, thinking Sienna would be proud of my easy flirti
ng. "Actually, there is. Do you have the registration forms for the Dark Flag tournament?"
His jaw dropped open in a wider smile. "You play? I play! I mean, I'm just a newbie, my avatar has barely evolved, but I love it. There's actually a side event for newbies this afternoon. You should totally sign up for it."
"Is it that easy to see that I'm a newbie?"
"No, not at all. It's just the pros have all signed up online. Speaking of the professionals, I saw you with Light Slayer last night. Oh my God, I think they must have used some of his DNA when they made the game. Either that or he has a mind meld with it, am I right?" the desk clerk asked.
"Yeah, he is pretty amazing." I collected the room key he gave me.
The desk clerk turned his monitor towards me and handed me his keyboard. Within a minute I was signed up for the event. He gave me a map of the Wynn and marked the location. On the back, he wrote his name and phone number.
"Thanks, Dave," I said.
"Are you going to hear Light Slayer talk? He's on in the LaTour Ballroom in ten minutes," Dave said. "Take notes for me, please. I need all the help I can get."
I promised I would text him any gems I heard and headed for the LaTour Ballroom. I had just enough time to load up a plate with fruit salad and a bagel and grab a coffee when the tournament organizers began to introduce the weekend's events.
"Welcome, Flaggers! We are so glad to welcome you to the first in a series of Dark Flag tournaments. This weekend is all about fun and games. We want to get to know you and to see you get to know the game better. Some events are qualifying rounds, but mostly, this is just a meet and greet. So we encourage you to mingle and have fun. That said, we know many of you are hungry to know more about how to conquer the world of Dark Flag and we could think of no one better to speak to that than Light Slayer himself!"
Owen had not shaved, but he had changed into a dove gray suit and white shirt. I felt a sizzle in my stomach as I saw the top buttons still undone and the hint of dark chest hair in the opening. Even from across the ballroom, his presence was like a fire.
I was not the only one to feel that way. The crowd greeted him like a rock star and his wide smile was crooked, a sure sign he was happy but uncomfortable with the attention. It only made people love him more. He cleared his throat a few times as the crowd quieted down and I wondered if he was nervous to speak. Then, his agate-blue eyes caught mine. He started to talk and it felt like it was just the two of us in the room.