Page 19 of Until Kendal

My skin buzzed as I’d even thought that, but he said, “Honestly, this wasn’t meant to do that. It’s just how I live, and I wanted some one-on-one time with you.”

“Right.” I relaxed. Maybe for Joel, this was normal. I glanced out the window as we took off and realized this had to be how the brides I’d done hair for had felt.

My hand fell to my side and brushed against Joel’s. My lips tingled, but I ignored it as I pivoted toward him. His gaze on mine made the rest of the world disappear.

Damn.I sucked my lips and wondered if I should make a move, but then his phone rang.

My hairs still stood on end. I took a deep breath, and he glanced at his phone. He then lowered his shoulders and said, “I was going to ignore the call, but this is an eighteen-year-old kid we’re buying some games from.”

That sounded life changing for that boy. I nodded. “Go ahead. Take it.”

He tensed but nodded and quickly answered, “Sorry I wasn’t around earlier, Ricky. What’s going on?”

He put the phone on speaker, and I glanced at him. He didn’t need to share his work with me, but the boy’s voice seemed high as he said, “Dominion offered me twenty thousand dollars to break my contract with you and sign with them.”

Joel nodded. “How much do you make on your game if you go that way?”

“I could use the money,” the boy said.

Joel quicky answered, “With five percent back, which is what my contract offers you, you get two dollars, fifty cents per game sold, so if we get fifty thousand buyers worldwide, you’re looking at almost a hundred twenty-five thousand dollars.”

I tilted my head. That was a lot of money, but he’d said he could use funds. I blinked, assuming the kid had something emotionally setting off his panic when he said, “There is no guarantee we’ll sell that much.”

Joel didn’t blink. “There are billions of gamers already logged on. You’re financially better off with our contract.”

“You’re probably right," Ricky said, "but I need the cash.”

I placed my hand on Joel’s arm. “Why?”

“Who's that?" Ricky asked.

Joel met my gaze and quickly said, “My girlfriend.”

A thrill rushed through me. To be his would be awesome. I swallowed but then focused on the call. “Hi. I’m Kendal. I’m just wondering why you’d cash out early and take peanuts instead of holding on for more?”

“I’m scared," Ricky answered. "Building the game was easy, but I’m not sure if I should sell at all.”

“You’re scared.” Then I tried to probe to get to know the issue. “I wish I had your skills. Are you sitting around, just in your head about the money?”

Ricky’s voice changed as he said, “Yeah.”

“I’d be too.” I'd never found arguing with emotion worthwhile, so I agreed. I let Joel’s arm go and leaned toward the phone as I asked, “Why did you say you needed the cash?”

“I want my sister to go to college without student loans.”

I glanced up and met Joel’s gaze. The pressure was family and future. I nodded. “You’re a good brother. Don’t be like me and settled for a ninety-nine-cent burger when you're about to be served steak dinner.”

“You’re right," Ricky said. "Thanks for talking to me.”

Joel’s gaze seemed warmer, and my skin heated as he said, “Kendal is great.”

“Talk you to later,” Ricky said.

After goodbyes, Joel put away his phone and took my hand. “You should be on my payroll. The hardest part of my job is the panicked kids when they realize they’re about to get money.”

I waved my hand in the air and shook my head. “I was just trying to repay you for all your kindness.”

He moved closer. “You don’t have to, and I mean what I said. I want you to move to New York and work for me.”

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