The Billionaire's Pixie

Early Morning Games

Nina was leaning back against the headboard, eyeing me suspiciously as I sipped my tea. She wanted me to talk, she wanted to know more about my life but I didn’t know where to start. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

“It’s very simple, Nick.” She told me.

It came out of nowhere. I had no idea how to respond to that. Nina was no mind reader but she was aware I had been confused about this situation with Joy. She was my ex-girlfriend so she shouldn’t have a place in my life anymore.

I was aware that Owen being a close friend nowadays would make it hard for me to keep her at a distance. Especially if she couldn’t move on.

“It’s not always simple, Nina.” I sighed, knowing that I was wrong and she was right. It was very simple but my own hesitation and my emotions were stopping me from doing what should be done, “Last time I was pretty harsh on her and seeing her cry like that, it wasn’t fun. It reminded me of you.” I admitted to her.

She shifted carefully, her eyes taking me in. I had to admit that she looked better, maybe the tea and the fruity snacks Jacob left us helped her feel better. Jacob Blackwood, the way he looked at my sister and the way he cared for her. It was admirable.

“It’s because you tell yourself she’s someone’s little sister you’ll be wrapped up in this unhealthy web forever. You don’t love her, not really.” She shrugged when I glared at her, “You care for her sure, but that’s because you have a few things in common. You met someone who shared your interests which is rare considering the women who surround you are most interested in showing off their riches."

She wasn’t wrong about that either.

“Have you been talking to Owen?” I asked.

I didn't dare to think of it since Owen was a little taken back by the choice Nina had made. He understood why she chose Jacob, he supported that but at the same time, he couldn't support it because it would make him a bad friend.

It was how I felt most of the time, but seeing my sister with Jacob just felt right. He was good for her and that was all that mattered.

He’d be a great father too.

She shrugged, but the guilty look in her eyes said it all. I had no idea what Owen told her but it couldn’t be good.

“Owen was worried about you after your night out so he let me know that he’d be paying you a visit to make sure you wouldn’t die.”

I rolled my eyes. Sure the alcohol had not been a good idea but I didn’t drink that much. The fact that I couldn’t drink like a college student was a good thing I believed. I was past that stage of my life. Other things mattered now.

“I would have survived.”

Her glittering eyes told me she didn't quite believe that "Owen is a good friend, I know he isn't a fan of mine but he still let me know he was watching over you so I didn't have to worry."

Owen was a good guy when it came to family and friends, I was aware of that. His dating life was kind of a mess though. Not that a lot of people knew about that, the man was discreet about it. Tinkerbell knew though. Her friend played around with Owen like he was her toy and Owen chased after her.

Their relationship or affair was a better word for it was something I couldn’t quite comprehend. Owen could find someone else.

I’m sure Nina thought the same about me.

Smiling I shook my head at her, “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. You should let me know if you need something.” I gestured to the snacks Jacob left me, “I can tell that Jacob takes good care of you and you probably don’t need anything from me but I’m still your brother, you know.”

She grabbed my arm and gave it a reassuring smile, “I know, Nick.

Grabbing my phone I glanced at the time, “I need to head home, it’s getting late.” She didn’t release my arm which concerned me, “Something wrong?”

She tightened her grip on my arm which hurt a bit actually, “I know you don’t want to talk about it, you didn’t mention it once so I know you don’t want to but I have to say it anyway.” She narrowed her eyes on me, still not letting go, “You should let go of Joy and maybe explore things with that woman you could have knocked up.”

I sighed in exasperation, Owen shared more with her than he should. Nina always talked to me about whatever was on her mind and she should feel safe around me to do that. But I was in no mood to talk to her about Tinkerbell and the pregnancy scare or worse.

That was something she didn’t have to know.

“It was not something I’d repeat.”

She let go of my arm and tilted her head to the side as she stared at me with wide puppy eyes. She had Jacob wrapped around her finger and if I was totally honest she also had me wrapped around her finger. Thankfully she didn’t manipulate me.

At least I’d like to think so.

“Why not?” She asked curiously, “What’s wrong with her? From what I gathered she’s quite a lovely woman. Honest but never bullshitting is what Owen said. Sounds to me that it could work, right?”

Nina thought she was on the right track because she found someone like that. It was the ideal kind of person to date but she was in luck. Jacob Blackwood was new money and despite his reputation, he was still respected for his great mind.

She married the kind of guy people expected of her to marry.

Tinkerbell wasn’t going to get the same support if things got serious between us. She was rough around the edges. Her pink hair was cute, it made her appear softer despite her sharp tongue but it wasn’t going to get her any love.

I hadn’t a good memory of what happened, I could piece together our night but it wasn’t clear enough. I was sure I saw a tattoo or two on her body but it could be more.

It wasn’t as frowned upon as when dad was younger but people still talked.

I didn’t want her to go through that. She was nice enough, someone minding her own business. This life Nina and I were born into I didn’t want her to get discouraged by it. She didn’t deserve that. There weren’t many people around who could go through what Nina had.

They would have left Jacob Blackwood a long time ago even though the man had been blackmailed and been torn into. They wouldn’t have stayed because it would have become stressful and almost not worth it.

Nina stayed, it’s part of why Jacob treated her the way he did. I was sure of it.

“Owen is right, the woman is quite lovely. But she’s not for me and let’s leave it at that.”

She sighed. She wasn’t happy with me requesting that but I knew Nina would let it go.

For now.

Leaning closer to her I kissed her hair, “I need to get some sleep. You should probably rest too. Thank Jacob for being patient, because man, I didn’t think he’d do this but he has proven me wrong.”

She grinned, “Jacob is okay.”

He sure was. I left her house in a semi-good mood. She wasn't hiding the fact that she was no longer a fan of Joy. There was definitely nothing left to explore when it came to her. Joy needed to stay away. Dad gave me the perfect opportunity to focus on other things than women.

They were just a pain the ass anyway.

***

I couldn’t sleep so giving up on tossing and turning the entire night, wishing I could fall asleep but couldn’t I made myself some coffee and got comfortable on my living room couch. Turning on my console I was surprised to see Tinkerbell’s message.

A friend request.

Owen was pushing it. Telling Nina about this woman and now letting her into my personal life. Gaming was my way to forget about the stressful world of being a Merigold heir who needed to succeed in his father's business.

Tinkerbell was probably alright but still, Owen was starting to intervene and I didn’t appreciate it.

I’d let him know soon.

Accepting her request I loaded up the adventure shooter game I was really getting into. I played it together with Owen from time to time, it was also quite entertaining to play alone. After fifteen minutes of roaming around in the beautiful world where everyone was shooting at me, Tinkerbell asked me to join.

It was late at night, so late it was almost early morning. Everything told me to ignore her but I couldn’t. I also accepted that request and reached for my headset. Once it was settled on my head I pushed the mute button, smiling when I heard her voice.

“Good morning.”

That was soft and cheerful, almost breathy but it was so like her.

“Good morning, Amber.” I greeted her back.

“Can’t sleep?” She asked.

“Yeah, might be because of all the sugar I had with my sister.”

“She’s pregnant, right?”

News spread fast, I knew everyone was betting on the gender of her child. It was insane how much people cared about that. They didn’t know Nina nor Jacob but they were sure as hell interested in every aspect of their life.

“Yeah, it’s making her feel like crap these days.”

Tinkerbell’s soft breathy laugh made a stupid smile spread across my face which I couldn’t get rid of. My body betrayed me over and over again. It might have been telling me something but I wasn’t going to listen.

“You’re a good brother too then.” She laughed again, “Stop being so damn good, Merigold. You’re making everyone else look bad.”

I smirked, “You’re the only one who thinks I’m a good person.”

She was quiet for a little while, maybe contemplating what I just told her. I could hear her shift, she stole a car in the game and kept honking it until I got in.

“I’m sure everyone knows where we are now.”

“Who cares.” That sounded a lot like the woman I knew, sassy and not giving a f**k about what other people thought of her, “They’ll be shooting at us no matter where we go. That’s kind of the point of the game.” She drove like she didn’t care either, “You’re just saying that because of the ex. You’ll see in a few weeks you’ll feel different about it.”

“Sounds like you’re talking from experience.”

“Maybe I am or maybe you’re just predictable because you’re such a good guy.”

I groaned, I definitely wasn’t a good guy at all. It made her laugh, at least one of us was having a great time right now. I had to endure this from my sister and now Tinkerbell was pushing it too.

“I’m really not.”

She snorted, "So what do you call apologizing to me and staying for dinner to make sure you don't upset me? What kind of behavior is that?"

She had me and she knew it. She laughed at that and then continued to race right into enemy territory. The people started to scream about sinners and the fire which would burn the old world. It was distracting. Distracting me from the mess I was in right now due to people meddling in my business.

It’s why I didn’t like to share anything with anyone.

“Just shut up and shoot.”

She snickered, “Got it.”

At least she didn’t keep pushing me. We played for another thirty minutes and called it quits. It was relaxing though. I couldn’t go back to bed but I didn’t regret staying up and playing a game with her. Tinkerbell was different.

Refreshing.

I wanted to hate the time I spent with her but I couldn’t. She wasn’t forcefully polite and she didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear to please me. She knew when to back off too because she didn’t mention Joy once after that.

Maybe spending time with her wasn’t that bad at all.