Firefly (boyxboy) (step-brothers)

26

"Turns out they really liked the prototype," Nick continued with an enthusiasm so bright it nearly blinded Nate. It was Monday morning, their first day back at the office from their winter break. "I promised Liam I wasn't going to say anything, but come on," he made a waving motion in the air, "it's you guys! And Nate, you can expect a phone-call later today."

"You serious?" Nate could hardly believe the words coming out of his friend's mouth.

"Yeah, he said his boss thought it might've a shot on the market. That it's something new and controversial, which is what they look for."

"Oh my God, this is fucking huge!" Cynthia exclaimed.

The three of them shared a long look. Excitement and anticipation bubbled to the surface as they flew up from their chairs and started hugging and congratulating each other. "I think this moment deserves celebrating!" Nick declared.

"Dude, it's nine in the morning!" Nate laughed.

"So? I'm sure it's five o'clock somewhere." Nick winked and headed off to the small fridge that held their lunch boxes and, yeah okay, some beer. An external motivation sometimes necessary for the occasional late-night workhours. And so, they each grabbed a beer and clinked their bottles, celebrating this potential victory.

"Have we heard from any company in New York?" Nick asked Nate, who shook his head.

"Nope, Zynga, who seemed somewhat interested, just informed me this morning that they went in a different direction with a company not as... young as ours." Nate thought that was the word the rough voice had used on the other side of the line. The distressing news had made it hard to focus on anything but their rejection. It'd really put sand in the gears of Nate's hopes of working together with a company in the city Jayden would most likely end up going to college to. He sighed. He couldn't think about that right now, he had a phone call to look forward to.

Said phone call came in the late afternoon and Nate had been quick to take it. There'd been some formal greetings and then the person on the other side of the line, Liam Miller, had informed Nate some more about their company. In fact, it was a daughter branch of GameGetter, which was run by Liam Miller, that was interested in their game. The company itself was over twelve years old and had made quite the name of themselves. The daughter branch had started up just two years ago and were looking to invest in games for the young-adult players. They were always keeping their eyes out for promising games.

Mr. Miller went on to explain that they'd need to meet in person, for a more proper introduction of the game and such. He informed Nate he would like for Nate to fly out to them as soon as possible to introduce their game to GameGetter. Even if it was a daughter branch, they still needed the Big Boss to sign off before they could move forward.

"Yes, of course, we'd love that," Nate quickly agreed, not in the least too proud to hide his eager.

"Okay, great!" Liam said, sounding more than enthusiastic. "My boss is very busy, so there aren't many gaps in his schedule."

"I can be there whenever you want me to," Nathan reassured. He sure as hell wasn't losing this one. It was their first and so far only shot at an investor.

"Good, the tenth of January it is then."

Three days from now. It was a short time to gather everything he'd need and turn it into a great presentation, but it was a challenge he was up fo –

All color drained from Nathan's face as the date sunk in. It felt like his heart stopped beating altogether. The tenth. Of January.

The day of Jayden's exhibition.

"I-uhm. I..."

Fuck, fuck, fuck and damn it all to hell!

It was on the day of Jayden's show, the one he'd been talking about non-stop since he'd received the invitation. Nate couldn't miss that, could he? What should he do?

Fuck!

"That doesn't work for you?" Mr. Miller asked. Nate could hear that this potential news didn't sit too well with him, even if he was trying to overshadow it with formal politeness. "I have to check back and see, but I think the next appointment we can squeeze in would be three weeks from now," he continued distantly, some scrambling of paper being heard on the other end.

Nate's eyes jumped around the room, trying to come to a hasty decision. His eyes landed on his coworkers sitting by the oval table on the other side of the glass door, studying his every move. Cynthia lifted her hands, fingers crossed and all, excitement shining clear in both their eyes. He couldn't fuck this up for them. He just... couldn't. "No, no," he shook his head, not remembering that Mr. Miller couldn't see him. "The tenth works fine. Great actually," he managed to squeeze out, feeling everything but great.

"Okay," Mr. Miller's voice sounded more positive again. "Okay, great." He continued with the more exact time and place, which Nate wrote down with trembling fingers. "And let me tell you, I'm really excited about this one, Mr. Henderson," Liam ended, sounding so cheerful.

Nate wished he could feel that cheerfulness. He was supposed to feel that cheerfulness. This was such a huge moment for him and his friends. A monumental step in the direction that moved them closer to their dream. He too should be feeling that happiness. He should. Yet all he could think, all he could see as he closed his eyes, were the crushing devastation on Jayden's face that were sure to come as he delivered the news. He cleared his throat, trying to push Jayden aside. For the moment, at least. "Me too," he said before ending the call. And somewhere deep inside him, a part where Jayden hadn't completely taken over, a part that still belonged only to himself, he was.