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“Yes, and yes,” I confessed.

“It was a work trip, after all. You had some late nights there.” Natalie teased.

I didn’t tell them about my one-night stand with him or our fated connection, because it would require me to explain my blood phobia. Only Audri knew about it. Tonight’s conversation would just be light. No heavy topics.

“We’re officially dating now, so there’s no need for any SSG mission.”

“Is that why you held off on telling us?” Michelle asked. “You got to plan mine, Audri’s, and Natalie’s. You’re not escaping this, Missy.”

“We need our fun too,” Audri said.

Vivian added. “Tell us somethings that stand out in your relationship.”

I told them about the opal table, his Ba7M5Bu88Project, the Holistic Farm, and the medicine he was developing.

“How about Opals are Forever?” Natalie suggested.

“Love that!” Michelle exclaimed.

“We’ll need to think about this and reconvene,” Audri said.

I didn’t mind the title since I’d fallen in love with opals, especially the black opal.

What did my friends have in mind for the Opals are Forever mission? A part of me was afraid to find out, but another part was thrilled.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

FORREST

To my surprise, the parking lot at Silver Field was packed. The plaza wasn’t huge, but a good size with a strip mall of five businesses, two of which had closed for the evening. A lamp post flickered as I walked toward the Arcade Zone, which brimmed with lights flashing from inside. I couldn’t see much from the windows being covered with posters of new video games, Magic card tournaments, and other events happening. Next to the arcade was a laundromat, a drugstore, a beauty salon, and a diner with crowds of people. I assumed the bulk of the parked cars came from those patrons.

As soon as I entered the arcade, my ears were assaulted with a very familiar racket. Yup, I remembered hanging with my boys at our local arcade before most of our time was dedicated to the bigger picture—WaterFyre Rising.

I didn’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t connected with Remi, Grayson, Royce, and Arrow back then. Their friendship saved me from a very dark time. My father’s death, my desire to make his killers pay, the escape from my homeland with my grandma and Yolanda, and my mom’s death hounded me like a beast. My resentment grew and grew until I met these guys who had vision and purpose. They sparked hope in me. They made me remember my passion, and I understood that success yielded money and power—all the things I needed to ensure those who hurt me and my family would pay.

I watched as two teenagers stood in front of a claw machine. The guy was trying to get a Sanrio stuffed animal for his girl. He maneuvered the claw to a Hello Kitty toy, but the claw dropped it. Chococat was squished in the corner, looking trapped. I smiled, wondering if Kiera would like it.

“Hank, can you help me get this stuffed animal for Amelia, please?” asked the boy with too much gel in his hair. “I’ve already spent too much money on this stupid machine.”

I was too busy wondering if I should try to get that stuffed Chococat for Kiera and hadn’t noticed Hank’s arrival. He wore a T-shirt with comic superhero on the front and cargo shorts, a different outfit from when I saw him earlier at the campground. A backpack was slung over his shoulder.

He looked at me and lifted a finger. “Just a m-moment.”

“Take your time.” I walked up to the machine and observed Hank helping the teens. His hand gripped the joystick and moved it with efficiency. His intense focus reminded me of my friends. The determination on his face showed nothing else existed but the end goal.

In this gaming atmosphere, Hank seemed like a new person—young, free, and more relaxed. It differed from the awkward guy wandering around the campground.

I didn’t know why, but my suspicion of him lessened. With ease, he got the Hello Kitty plush and gave it to the teen boy, who gave it to his girlfriend.

The teen boy offered money to Hank, but he refused. “It’s okay. This m-machine eats up money like c-crazy.”

“Thanks, man! You’re the best.”

After the teens walked away, I gestured to the machine. “I’m going to try for that Chococat plushie stuck in the corner. If I fail, can you help me?”

He asked, “Is it for K-Kiera?”

I nodded, inserted two dollars into the machine, gripped the joystick, and went to retrieve my Chococat. The claw reached down, extracted it from the tight corner, lifted the plush, and moved toward the opening. But then it wriggled free and dropped on top of a Keroppi plushie.