Changing His Game (Entangled Brazen) (Gamers) by Megan Erickson Read Free Book Online Page B

millions. It was what he did after that which made Austin nervous. “Ethan—”
    “That was a couple of years ago,” Grant said softly, cutting him off. “He’s changed since then.”
    Ethan had been driving his sports car with his sister as the passenger, lost control, and wrecked it. The accident killed his sister and permanently scarred Ethan.
    “So you think he’s a wise choice to own a business with?” Austin asked.
    “I considered buying you out myself. I wasn’t interested in another partner, someone I didn’t know. It was either you or no one. Until Ethan stepped up. Which is nice, because I really didn’t want to cough up the extra money.”
    Austin shifted in his chair. “This is a rather dramatic way to tell me.”
    Grant laughed. “Ah, but you know us. Everything has to have a flair.”
    “Yes, yes, I do know you. Ethan, I’m sure, couldn’t care less how you told me.”
    “So you going to think about it and let me know?”
    They’d started this magazine together. It’d been Grant’s idea over beer and chicken wings. Austin could still picture his young, flushed face as he waved his hands around dramatically. The next morning Austin hadn’t been sure if the indigestion was from the food or the plans scribbled on Dale’s Pub napkins.
    Lately, though, Austin was restless and stretched thin. His brain was screaming at him to simplify.
    Getting involved with an employee sure as hell wasn’t simplifying. Although, if he sold his share in Gamers , she wouldn’t be his employee.
    He growled under his breath at himself. Focus.
    “Austin?”
    “I might want to speak to Ethan, make sure of his intentions—”
    “Good God, Austin, I’m not marrying Sydney off to the man. I trust Ethan to handle the business with me. I do most of the work myself now anyway.”
    Austin gritted his teeth until his jaw ached. “I’ll think about it and let you know. I’m being indecisive about whether I want to sell.” And I don’t trust Ethan.
    Grant chuckled. “That’s so unlike you.”
    He knew that, which was why he was irritated. This whole thing was a splinter under his skin. “I realize that.”
    “You doing okay? You sound…more brusque than usual.”
    “Brusque?”
    “Surly.”
    “Surly?”
    Grant was laughing now. “Terse and crusty.”
    Austin narrowed his eyes at the phone. “I will accept terse. I absolutely, unequivocally reject crusty.”
    Grant kept laughing. “Fuck, Austin, never change.”
    Austin sighed. If those were the words his closest friend used to describe him, didn’t that mean a change would be welcome?
    “I just wish…” Grant paused. “I wish you would let people in once in a while. I get that what your mom did fucked you up, and what your dad did fucked you over, but if you keep going down this path, you’re going to end up exactly like him.”
    “Oh yeah?” Austin snapped. “And how’s that? Because he’s six feet below now.”
    “Alone.” Grant didn’t back down. “He shut everyone out. He was alone before he died, and he’s buried in a plot all by himself. Is that what you want?”
    A couple of years ago, he might have said yes. But lately…well, he wasn’t so sure.
    “Well, I appreciate your opinion, Grant. I’ll be in touch.”
    “Aus—”
    He hung up the phone. And then thumped his forehead on the desk. Being reminded of his mom and dad, well, that always threw him for a loop and soured his mood. Austin had never actually met his mother—she’d left them shortly after he was born. His father was…cold. He worked a lot and when he was home, he didn’t have much time for the son he was left with. Austin learned quickly that he couldn’t rely on his father for much of anything. He cooked for himself, cleaned up after himself, and worked his ass off at school. If he could make the grades, earn a scholarship, he’d be able to support himself, wouldn’t have to rely on anyone ever again.
    So when Austin was successful, and his father—whom