Harvey (A MacLaughlin Family Novella Book 3)

by Krystal Shannan

  HARVEY

  A MacLaughlin Family Novella

  By

  Krystal Shannan

  Harvey (A MacLaughlin Family Novella)

  Copyright © 2014 Krystal Shannan

  All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons –living or dead –or places, events, or locales is purely accidental. The characters are reproductions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. This book contains content that is not suitable for readers 17 and under.

  Cover design by Krystal Shannan

  All rights reserved.

  Please be aware that this book cannot be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without written permission from the author, Krystal Shannan, at krystalshannan@yahoo.com, or within the sharing guidelines at a legitimate library or bookseller. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction, sharing, or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/) and is punishable by up to five years in a federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Dedication

  For all those girls out there that love gaming.

  1

  Olivia Hampton reached up and opened an eye with her fingers. Light poured in from her bedroom window. She groaned and rolled to the side. She’d stayed up late again playing Soldier’s Call. No work today though, she had a plane to catch this afternoon to LA. Rock Star Entertainment had invited her to be part of their Gaming Convention demonstration for Soldier’s Call. It was the biggest convention of the year. Freaking awesome. Plus, they were paying her way.

  She opened her eyes again and squinted at the alarm clock. 9:15am. It’s time to get up. Her plane was at noon. She needed to get ready and eat something. Twenty minutes later she’d managed a quick shower, twisted her long wet hair into a bun, applied some makeup, and gotten dressed —dark boot-cut jeans, a light pink angora sweater, and purple fuzzy boots that masqueraded as house shoes most of the time.

  She grabbed a bagel and banana from the kitchen, threw them in her purse, and grabbed the carry-on bag she’d packed yesterday.

  Time was kind. Her phone read 10:45am when she walked through the airport terminal doors. She printed her ticket at a kiosk and hurried to the security check.

  A line at least twenty people deep made her groan. She picked a row, parked her suitcase next to her, and dug the cinnamon raisin bagel out of her purse. The line proceeded to move at the speed of snail slime. It would be a sprint to get to her gate after this.

  Several people looked at her and she turned the other way. The last thing she wanted was to be recognized and have people make a scene. She was the traffic reporter for Channel 10, the local Fort Worth news station. It wasn’t a huge thing, but it was big enough to get her free coffee from the manager at the coffee shop she frequented in the mornings.

  She loved her job. She’d worked her way up from being lowly coffee assistant, to personal assistant, to fill-in person for emergencies, to stepping into the role as the full-time traffic reporter when the last one took her leave after having a baby. Meagan, the previous traffic reporter, had wished her well and gone home to be with her daughter.

  Recently, a weekend entertainment anchor position had come open. She and another girl, Celine, were both doing their best to impress their boss. Being invited to a gaming convention as a guest just might impress Allan Stinebach, her boss, enough to get her the job —as long as there were no embarrassing videos. Cons were known for fan outbursts.

  The line started to move a little faster. She stuffed the last bite of bagel in her mouth, and kicked off her fuzzy purple house shoes. A security agent handed her a tray. In went her shoes and purse. Then she put her carry-on bag on the counter next to it. He pushed it through the scanner and she walked through the metal detector without a hitch. She’d been sure not to wear anything that would trip an alarm. The lines took long enough without having to pull off earrings, necklaces, bracelets, belts, and whatever other accessories she’d deemed necessary for the day. Flying was uncomfortable. No need to wear clothing that made it worse.

  She grabbed her shoes off the counter on the other side, shoved her feet in, grabbed her bag, and power-walked to her gate. 11:38am flashed on the screen of her phone. It wasn’t too far. She wove between people and got to her gate as the last group was boarding.

  The attendant at the gate smiled at her. “Just made it, Ms. Hampton. Thank you for flying American.”

  She smiled back and hurried onto the plane.

  <><><>

  Harvey fidgeted in his seat. These planes, no matter how big, were made for midgets. His six-foot five-inch body did not appreciate being folded up and stuffed between an overweight old man and the plane wall. Why couldn’t his seatmate have been the gorgeous blonde chick that’d walked on at the last minute? Nope. Instead, he’d gotten stuck with a big guy who smelled like someone’s spittoon and was huffing and puffing just trying to get the belt extender secured. No way was he offering to help.

  He shook his head and stared out the window. Only a few hours and he'd be out of the plane and enjoying a weekend of gaming and fun at the LA Gaming Convention. He looked forward to this every year and this year he’d had his trip paid for by Rock Star Entertainment for agreeing to come and play at their big launch. His brothers, Trevor and Caiden, both teased him, but he loved the energy and competition of the gaming world.

  He didn't have a fantastic girlfriend or fiancé like his brothers. He traveled a lot for the family company and relationships just didn't stick very long. It took a special kind of girl to trust a man who traveled, and he hadn't found one yet. The whining and constant phone calls from his last girlfriend left a very bad taste. It'd been nearly a year since he'd even asked a girl out on a date.

  Not the case for his brothers. Trevor had a fiancé and Caiden now had a girlfriend living with him. In the span of two months, they'd gone from being a band of bachelor brothers, to him being the Lone Ranger. He loved Lorelei and Lina, but why couldn't one of them have brought along a sister or friend for him? Being a fifth wheel sucked. And little sister Lizzy was no fun at all. Apparently writing a thesis and graduating early was a lot of work. She was knee-deep in papers. And if not papers, she was spending every waking moment with Logan’s best friend Ethan Hart. He liked the guy all right, but he didn’t like anyone cozying up to his sister.

  He growled. The Gaming Convention was the perfect distraction. No thoughts of his brothers or their women or the fact that he was alone, just 24/7 games for three days. The new version of Soldiers Call was being unveiled and he couldn't wait to see the updates and new graphics. Magazines said it was going to be the best game of the year. Plus he had a seat on the opening panel of players.

  He shifted in his seat and accidentally bumped the guy next to him. The old man glared. The smell of moldy cheese and chewing tobacco wafted his direction. Harvey gagged. Damn. This is going to be a long flight. He would have given his right arm to move to another seat, but the plane was full and he was stuck with McStinky until wheels down in LA.

  He pulled out his phone, put in some headphones, and started playing Sudoku. Maybe he could just pretend the smells next to him weren't really as bad as they were.

  <><><>

  The plane took off and landed without a hitch. Harvey sent up a silent thank you when the old man next to him was one of the first passengers to get up and get
off the plane. He was about to enter gamer’s heaven. Nothing else mattered except getting to the hotel, taking a hot shower, and then registering.

  He hightailed it to the exit with his carry-on. The pretty blonde he'd seen on the airplane climbed into a cab a few yards ahead of his. Something about her was familiar, but he just couldn't put his finger on it. He shut the door and leaned back. "Hilton next to the Convention Center, please."

  "You here for the gaming thing?"

  "Yep. The gaming thing." He laughed. "A whole weekend of acting like a twenty-year-old college kid again."

  "Sounds fun."

  "Do you play?" he asked the cabby.

  "No, but my son does. All the time. He’s going to the Soldier’s Call unveiling tomorrow.”

  “Nice. That’s what I’m most looking forward to. I’ve got to plug in at the hotel and polish up my skills so I really compete at the panel. Maybe I can finally get a win against Harbinger12.”

  “Who is that?”

  “I don’t know. But he’s held the top score slot online for over six months. Whoever he is, he’s a badass player. Never talks online though. So nobody knows where he’s from. I’ve been in some open combat zones with him before and barely lasted five minutes. He’s supposed to be at the panel for the unveiling too.” He’d gotten an invite to play at the unveiling and he was ranked number two on the game scoreboard. There was no way in hell Harbringer12 hadn’t gotten an invite.

  The cabby pulled up at the hotel. Harvey grabbed his bag from the seat next to him and handed the driver a couple of twenties. “Thanks for the ride and the chat, man.”

  “Have a good time.”

  “Will do.” He turned and shuffled into the hotel through the revolving door with all the other gamers piling in. By tomorrow morning this place would really be packed.

  <><><>

  “We really appreciate you coming out, Ms. Hampton.” He held his hand out. “I’m Finn Harrison, director of events.”

  “Please call me Liv. It’s nice to meet you, Finn.” She glanced him up and down. The man was gorgeous, but slick. Probably used to getting any girl he winked at. She waved down the bar tender and ordered a Jack and Coke. Finn ordered the same. He’d followed her into the bar from the registration table.

  “How was your flight?”

  “Fine. Thank you.”

  “We look forward to having you as guest player at the unveiling.”

  “Thanks.” She smiled. “I look forward to playing tomorrow. But I would rather keep my identity anonymous.”

  “Of course. The panel tomorrow has cubbies. Best we could do to keep everyone separated.” He passed her a business card. “Just let me know if you need anything the hotel isn’t providing.” He turned to leave, but stopped. “Do you have dinner plans?”

  Her cheeks heated and she shook her head. “I—” She hadn’t been on a date in six months, not since her ex finally talked her into sleeping with him and it’d been horrible. She’d been a virgin and the ass hat had been a jerk about it. The experience was embarrassing and uncomfortable. He’d said she was a terrible lay and that he couldn’t believe he wasted six months of his life waiting on such a disappointment. At this point, she was fine with never having sex again. Certainly never with a guy like Finn Harrison.

  “I can pick you up at your door at eight then? What’s your room number? We can eat here in the hotel or go out.”

  The predatory glint in his eye made her uncomfortable and she shot a quick glance over his shoulder into the bustling hotel lounge. Escape was so close. A man with dark curly hair and striking blue eyes caught her attention. He looked familiar. From the plane?

  “I think I’m just going to get some practice in tonight. But thanks for the offer. I really appreciate it.” Get a clue, dude. Not interested.

  Finn looked disappointed, but not upset. “No problem. Just call me if you change your mind.” He winked and finished his drink.

  She nodded and smiled. At least he hadn’t been angry. He walked off and the blue-eyed stranger slid into the now empty barstool.

  “Hi!” He turned and glanced at Finn’s retreating form. “Was he bothering you?”

  “No, just trying to get me to hook up with him tonight.”

  “I hope you brushed him off.”

  She raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Why?”

  “Because I was hoping to run into you. You were on the plane from DFW this morning weren’t you?”

  “I was.”

  “Have we met before? I saw you on the plane and couldn’t figure out where I knew you from.”

  Damn. Why did the cute guy have to recognize her? She was trying to avoid men for a while. Though, at least he didn’t give off the creepy-I-want-you-just-for-tonight vibe like Finn Harrison.

  “I don’t think we’ve met before.”

  “Harvey MacLaughlin,” he said, holding out his hand.

  She shook it and the butterflies in her stomach did a little dance. Her cheeks heated and she took a breath to regain her composure. Why was he putting her on edge? What was it about him? “My friends call me Liv,” she finally answered.

  He squeezed her hand gently and smiled. His touch sent electric currents of horniness straight to her nether regions. Damn. She shifted on the bar stool and crossed her legs, trying to alleviate some of her discomfort.

  “What brings you to LA, Liv? You wouldn’t be here for the convention, would you?”

  “Actually, yes.”

  The bar tender put two full highball glasses down in front of them.

  “Thank you,” Harvey said, picking up one. He took a quick sip and turned his attention back to her.

  “What does a gorgeous gal like you play?”

  She smiled. “I enjoy a good game of Soldier’s Call.”

  “No kidding? Are you going to the reveal tomorrow?”

  “I’m playing at the reveal,” she answered. Stop, Liv. Stop telling him. You don’t want anyone to know you’re Harbringer12. The last thing she needed was the station back home to start getting hate mail from pissed off gamers. “In fact, I’ve got to go up to my room and get a little practice in before tomorrow so I don’t embarrass myself.”

  “Cool. What’s your callsign?”

  “Can’t say. I like to be anonymous.”

  He rolled his eyes. “That bad.”

  “No,” she snapped back and grinned. “I just don’t like people to know who I am. A girl can’t be too careful these days.”

  “True.”

  <><><>

  She shook her head at him. “It doesn’t really matter. It’s just a game.”

  “Yes, but part of the fun is the competition.” And if you’re good enough to be playing at the reveal, it’s more than just a game to you. He shook his head and grinned.

  “Oh, I give everyone plenty of competition.”

  He laughed. “Can I meet you for dinner at the cafe down the street? I know you told that other guy to take a hike, but he was kind of slimy. I promise I’m not slimy. Just interested. I have two brothers, a sister, and a mother you can call for references.” What is wrong with me? I’m babbling about my family like a hormonal teenager.

  “Down the street?” She smiled and her eyes twinkled.

  Harvey felt his breath rush out of him. Was she going to agree? Really? “Yes, Rio Cafe. It’s across the street from the hotel.”

  “I’ll meet you in the lobby at 8pm.”

  “It’s a date.”

  Her beautiful creamy cheeks flushed pink at those last words. God, she was so...exquisite. Her lips looked so soft. And the curves beneath her jeans and pink sweater could bring a man to his knees. Then there was the touch of humor attached to her feet in the form of purple fuzzy house shoes. He couldn’t help but smile. She was perfect.

  She walked out of the bar, giving him another smile when she turned to head for the elevator tower.

  “Another drink?”

  He glanced up at the bar tender. “Yes, thanks. A beer this time. Shiner, plea
se.”

  “Here.” The bar tender set the bottle on the bar. “I can’t believe she said yes to you after turning down the suit.”

  “Maybe he wasn’t her type.”

  <><><>

  She got up to her hotel room and changed into a comfy pair of pink yoga pants, a black tank top, and a matching hoodie. Her mane of thick blonde hair went into a pony tail and she plopped down onto her bed.

  Digging through her carry on bag, she pulled out her game console and hooked it to the hotel TV. The system powered up, chirping its opening tune. She slipped the game into the drive and turned on the TV. After following the frustratingly long set of directions to connect to the hotel’s wifi, she finally saw the icon pop up that said she had service.

  Soldier’s Call was waiting and she needed to relax a little before going on the first date she’d had in months. The home screen came up quickly and she logged in.

  Making sure her speech button was muted, she clicked on her headset. Listening to her competition was much more effective than taunting. Most of the guys that played this game probably didn’t realize how much they gave away about their position through their conversations.

  The battle zone opened up and she ducked behind some crates to check her arsenal and listen to see who she was up against for this game. One guy had seen her callsign pop up and he was shouting to the heavens to watch out for the Harbringer12. Her. They were so afraid of her. She laughed.

  She poked her avatar’s head around the corner and looked through the scope of her sniper rifle. Bang. One down. Six to go.

  Cussing and swearing commenced before the defeated player disconnected from the game. Liv made her avatar peek around the wall again, and saw a couple of soldiers advancing her direction. The chatter said they hadn’t seen her yet, but knew the shot had come from this direction.

  Both of them were carrying automatic rifles. But she was fast with her sniper scope and neither of them had a chance. Both were downed in seconds.