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Chapter Sixteen
Wesley
Days passed with no final word from the investors. But this evening’s big event gave Wesley the chance to socialize with the investors and discuss topics to get them excited about the newDragon Rockcharacters, upgrades, and storylines—and, just as importantly, incorporating the dragon-copter. This celebration prelaunch night had a lot riding on it. And after spending the most spiritual night of his life with Ava—he realized he was completely in love with her.
Brock had returned from his honeymoon with Todd, stopping by Bluff House to play host, along with representing Wesley as a dear friend as well as his attorney. The man never could miss a big party. The creative team remained on site, mingling with the investors and talking up all they’d worked so hard on. No one knew the ins and outs of the game better than them.
As hip music set the tone, Wesley worked his way around the room, speaking with his guests. He wasn’t receiving feedback regarding the helicopter like he’d hoped. He heard “big expense” and “bottom line” phrases. But one man, Mark Corbin, with considerable sway, would certainly be impressed riding in the dragon-copter tonight on his way to this event.
Wesley glanced at his smartwatch, anticipating Mark Corbin and Ava’s arrival any time now back at Bluff House. He stepped into the quiet hallway to send her a text.
Wesley: What is your ETA?
Ava: Not sure. That flight got canceled. Don’t think he’s coming.
Most guests arrived earlier for an afternoon cocktail and viewing of the game reel but as the dinner hour approached, the rain became heavy and the wind picked up.Would it be too late at this point, even if the man caught a different flight?Wesley wouldn’t let his hopes get crushed.
Wesley: See if he’s on another flight. Keep me posted.
Jack ran toward him down the hall, his shoes ringing loudly against the stone. “Wes!”
“Give me a minute, Jack.”
“When will my mom be back?” Jack ignored his request, drawing his attention.
Focusing on Jack’s tight expression, he lowered his phone. “What is it?”
“I need my mom. I need to go outside.”
He shook his head, bending and placing his hand on Jack’s shoulder. “She’ll be back soon. But you need to stay indoors. Can’t you hear the rain?”
“Yeah, but—”
“Dude,” Leroy called from the doorway to Wesley, “Laura Jones is looking for you.”
Wesley straightened, having been eager to speak with the young and influential investor all evening.
“And she seems like she’s in a good mood.” The large Samoan stuck out his tongue and bulged his eyes as was his traditional ancestral custom. “I think we can get her on board. C’mon.”
Wesley took two steps, preparing to follow Leroy, but remembered Jack’s strange plight. When he turned to find Jack, he had disappeared. At first, he thought nothing of it, having learned how kids could be dramatic over nothing. He strode back into the room, spotting Leroy and Laura. Plastering on a winning smile, he welcomed the woman in a modern pant suit, rocking a partially shaved head.
The conversation went better than he could have imagined; she acknowledged their work and success. But soon a niggling of something told him to make sure Jack was okay. But every time he made a move to leave the room, he was stopped by someone else. Politely, he excused himself as the sense of urgency grew within him. He texted Jack before he went in search of him. He wanted to physically lay eyes on him to be sure the kid hadn’t gone into panic mode due to the intensifying storm. The woolly clouds darkened the sky, making the atmosphere outside feel ominous despite the grooving music and warm lights in the Seashell room and throughout Bluff House.
With no return text from Jack, panic filled him when he failed to locate the kid. Jack hadn’t answered his phone call, either. Not in his bedroom where he was instructed to hang out in while the event took place, Jack couldn’t be pinpointed anywhere. In the kitchen, Wesley cornered a busy Jorge.
“Have you seen Jack?”
Jorge glanced up from his tablet, likely containing an impressive itinerary of the evening. “Jack?” His eyes were glazed over like they normally were when Brock’s house manager oversaw an event. “He came through here. Said something about his pet.”
“What about Goliath? Is that why he was upset?”
“I don’t know.” Jorge’s head turned when a tray clattered loudly on the counter. “He just said he had to find him.”
Wesley had trudged up to Jack’s room several minutes ago but failed to notice whether Goliath was in his cage. “How long ago did he come in here?”
Jorge, clearly distracted, shrugged. “Maybe five, ten minutes ago?”
The plaguing feeling mounting in Wesley’s gut had him striding out of the kitchen to further search for the boy and the bearded dragon.
