Page 125 of From Drummer to Gamer

“That you’re mine.”

A smile graced his lips. “Better get used to it because it’s not going to change.Forever.”

I shook my head at him, swallowing the nervous tick down my throat as I forced a smile back.

I was falling, I was falling hard for this man. I think I’d already fallen, but I was nervous to tell him. Nervous because I didn’t have any idea how relationships actually work, and I had no clue what the timeline was for these kinds of confessions, and my other fear was, would he say it back?

“Matty.” A soft voice pulled me from my musings. “Did I do good?”

Matty’s eyes softened as he crouched to meet Luka. “Of course, little fella, you were amazing. I think you’re going to outshine me soon.”

“Really?” he asked, wide-eyed.

And before Matty could answer him, I swooped in, lowering myself. “Yes, I’ve never heard anyone play the drums like that before,” I said, ruffling his hair.

Luka’s cheeks pinkened.

Matty had told me his backstory, and all I wanted to do was to kill someone. How could anyone have the heart to hurt this little adorable child?

“Okay, now why don’t we go eat Cheetos and watch movies?”

His nose scrunched. “Lucia says Cheetos are bad for you.”

“Well, let’s not tell Lucia then,” I whispered. “Or this big burly man here. He’s the food police.” I pointed at Matty.

That only made him crack up in laughter, and it made my heart thud. I was pretty lucky to have a family that protected and loved me, and it just hurt to think that wasn’t the case for everyone.

“I’ve never seen him laugh like that before. You just make everything shine, don’t you, Sierra?” Matty’s lips brushed across the edge of my ear, and I shivered.

His eyes darkened, and I licked my lips.

But our moment was soon interrupted by a scurry of kids dashing toward us, all proud to show off their progress to Matty. I’d never thought much about volunteering, but this was going to the top of my list of activities.

“Can I go with you every time you come here? I loved hanging out with the kids.”

“Of course.”

I nodded, my eyes trailing back to the scenery coursing through. We were on our way back home. That word felt so different these days. I’d considered Iona my home forever, but now it was wherever he was.

I couldn’t imagine a day when I didn’t get to wake up and make him his caramel latte or those green apple muffins that brought a happy sigh to his lips.

A day when we wouldn’t cuddle on the couch playing endless games.

Or a day when I wouldn’t find him secretly watching me.

The tournament would end soon, and so would the summer. Would reality finally hit me like a ton of bricks when I moved back to Iona? Could Matty and I survive that?

But that wasn’t the only thing that would come to an end. I’d been so focused on winning the tournament that I hadn’t even thought of a way I would bring it up to my parents.

Just because I showed them a trophy didn’t mean they would understand why I had to do this.

These unfamiliar feelings crashed a load of self-doubt on me. When it came to my gaming, I was anything but doubtful. I was cool, calm, and collected, knowing very well that questioning myself would only make me lose sight of the actual prize.

“What’s going on inside that beautiful mind?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re unusually quiet.”