Page 127 of From Drummer to Gamer

“Ice it,” I said, lobbying in another game. We never practiced the day before the match, so all we had was today to train.

“Si, as much as I’m up for training all night.” Tin’s voice came through. “We’ve been practicing for fifteen hours straight. The team needs their rest. I say we wrap up.”

“As much as I hate him, I think he’s right,” Matty mumbled just for me to hear. Ever since he came back from work, he’d been my constant shadow, watching me game and bringing me snacks. I didn’t even know I needed a support bear till he came along.

“Fine,” I muttered, lifting my fingers off the keyboard. They were all sore and numb at this point.

“See you guys at the match.”

Happy sighs spilled out of my team, and they all logged out in record time, scared that if they lingered, I would bring them in for another game.

“You okay, Si?” Tin was the only one who stayed. “You’re pushing the team harder than usual.”

Things between Tin and me were back to normal, well, as normal as it could be. It felt weird knowing he had feelings for me, and he hadn’t even voiced them yet.

I saw him as a brother, my closest friend, who knew everything about me. But at the end of the day, he was my second, and he and I both knew not to bring anything personal when we played. Which was why we had always worked so well together.

“I’m fine, Tin,” I said softly. “It’s just I’m worried about the game. I’m this close, and I don’t want to lose it. Especially now.”

“I know,” Tin replied. “But Sierra, you’ve told us a million times we can’t think about winning or losing, that it would derail us. Why don’t we just go there and give it our all?”

A smile lifted my lips. “Yes, that sounds good.”

I could feel him smiling at me even though I couldn’t see his face.

Matty took the opportunity to pull my chair closer to him and bury his face in my neck.

“So uhmm.” Tin cleared his throat. “How is everything between you and Matt Evans?”

Matty stiffened, and I knew he was on the verge of announcing his presence, but I also knew he wouldn’t. Even though I was young, Matty never treated me like a teenager. He knew I could hold my own, but he would be my constant shadow of support that would jump in anytime.

“It’s good, actually, more than good. He treats me well. And I like him a lot.”More than like.

That made Matty look up from my neck and place a kiss on my cheek with a smile.

An awkward beat of silence passed when Tin didn’t say anything. “Good, that’s good. You deserve to be treated well, Sierra,” he said.

“Thanks, Tin.”

“I’m sorry about the other day,” Tin blurted. “I shouldn’t have said those things. You didn’t deserve it, and I had no right. Damn, you’re the smartest person I know, and if you think you’re doing what’s right for you, then I respect it.”

“Apology accepted. I love you like a brother, Tin.” I heard him inhale sharply, but as much as the truth hurt, he needed to know that. “You’re very important to me, but Matty’s the one I want.”

“Understood, Si,” Tin replied softly. “I gotta get going now. I’ll see you at the game.”

“See you too, Tin. Good night,” I said just as his name blinked red.

“Hope he gets the message this time,” Matty mumbled, his lips tracing along the curve of my neck all the way to my collarbone, and I had to suppress the shudder that was trying to break out of me.

“He’s just confused,” I muttered through a yawn. “One day, he’ll find someone amazing and forget all about me.”

“Think it’s impossible to forget about you.”

Before I could say another word, another yawn broke out of my lips.

“Tired?” Matty’s gaze softened as he brushed my hair back.

“Hmm.” I nodded, hugging him tight.