Page 44 of Playing Games with My Billionaire

My eyes felt heavy with tears, and my heart filled with renewed grief for my parents.

I felt like a thousand needles poked at my heart; this hurt was something I had never experienced. I didn't think I would survive a day without Trev, and the constant thought that I had pushed him away ate at me.

You couldn't imagine getting through life without your parents, either, but here you are. Buck up!

His manly smell and the smell of our sex were strong on the sheets. I grabbed a chunk of it and pulled it close to my nose as I inhaled deeply. The smell brought more memories, and another wave of sadness hit me.

I began crying once again.

Chapter 23

Trev

Ittookmejusta couple of days to successfully fix the bug in BlipBubble. I returned to working on the new game, right here at home. I buried myself in work, not thinking about anything or anyone.

I did remember that I wanted to call Lindsey to explain why I had left abruptly, but I couldn't bring myself to pick up the phone and reach out to her. And with every day that went by, it was harder and harder to pick up the phone. I always knew I would have to leave her town, and though I had left before my planned date, I convinced myself that it was for the best.

Bah! Who are you kidding? You miss her like crazy!

Work became my escape from that reality. I dove headfirst into it, and on the ninth day after I returned to the city, I was done with the new game. I had done most of the work before Eric’s call and all that was left was just a few finishing touches.

Done. Well done.

I presented it to the executive committee, and everyone saw the potential. We ran a few tests with some personal company gamers and not long after, it was ready to be released to the world. Marketing got busy teasing the announcement of our new game.

My first thought walking out of that meeting was to call Lindsey and tell her about the launch date of the game. It would have been the perfect excuse to get us talking again. But for some reason, I still didn't do that.

The first week after its release, we had logged close to one hundred fifty million downloads—everyone had been anticipating a new game from Mr. Fun and Games, so when the media announced the launch date, everyone was hyped.

With me finally done with work, I was able to relax for the first time in over a month. I had dropped a game that was making waves and earning me millions by the day, but I felt far from satisfied.

Because you're being a wimp and not calling Lindsey! You know you want her to share in this success. She's the reason for most of it!

I had pushed thoughts of Lindsey out of my mind by focusing on work, but it all came back with full force when I was done. She should have been there to see the completion of her idea. I really wanted her to, but things had taken a turn that I had not anticipated.

I missed her terribly, and I hated that I left without telling her. I wondered what she thought of me, and I couldn't help but feel like she hated me. She had every right to.

Due to my busy schedule, I had not been able to see my mother. But with the completion of my new game, I had no more reasons to delay. Thoughts of Lindsey plagued my mind as I got ready to go see Mama.

"I am so proud of you, Trev," she praised me.

I smiled, and smiling felt weird. It felt like I hadn't smiled in ages. I suddenly remembered how just staring at Lindsey was enough to brighten my day. The thought of how I had first thought her to be a backward person in a backwater town without any knowledge of the “real” world.

Your ego has gotten in the way of seeing people for their true selves.

"What's on your mind?" my mama asked me, bringing me back to her.

"Nothing, nothing, Mama."

"For someone who just dropped a very popular new game, you seem awful down," she said as she raised a brow at me.

"What do you mean? I'm excited! The new game is getting so many downloads, and we've had nothing but good reviews." I forced a smile.

"I know you, Trev. What’s wrong?” she demanded.

I sighed. I knew she wouldn't let it go unless I told her what was really wrong with me, but the issue was that I had no idea what was wrong with me.

Get a clue, man! You just won't admit to yourself what your issue was.

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