Page 132 of From Drummer to Gamer

And I would just be a disappointment to someone else’s dream.

Yet in his arms, I was the girl whose world he worshipped.

But what if someday he decided that I wasn’t worth it after all?

Then that would be the day I actually died.

CHAPTER 29

MATT

Sierra hadn’t stopped crying for two whole days, and it made me so furious that I wanted to go punch someone.

She was the last person on earth who should be crying like this.

She was the last person on earth who deserved what her parents put her through.

They had no right to disrespect her like that and squash her dreams like they meant nothing.

I just about wanted to shake them when they called her a disappointment.

My firecracker was anything but a disappointment. She was the warmest, softest, and kindest soul, whose intelligence and maturity amazed me. Just because she didn’t choose the career that they wanted doesn’t make her any less.

“Cheetos?” I asked as I slid in next to her. Sierra had been holed up in my room, particularly my bed, while she alternated between crying on my arms and staring at the window with forlorn eyes.

And I hadn’t left her side. I pushed away all of my work because nothing seemed important at this moment than being with her.

She gave me a small smile, but took it.

And I was glad she was eating something because she hadn’t eaten much, not even her beloved Cheetos completely.

“I don’t know what to do, Matty,” she said, picking at her Cheetos. “I feel so lost.”

I sighed, tugging her closer to me.

“I know my parents sounded mean, but they really do love me. It’s just that they don’t know how to show it. They think they’re doing what’s right for me.”

“But that still doesn’t allow them to treat you like you’re nothing, Sierra.” I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering on her soft, puffy cheeks. Those bright hazel eyes that held so much light now looked empty and red from all that crying.

And I fucking loathed it.

I always want my firecracker to be glowing and happy.

“What should I do?” She blinked at me with so much trust and vulnerability that it ached my heart.

“Why don’t you rest for a few days and get some good sleep? We’ll go see your parents and try to explain things to them. It will take a while, but they will surely come around when they see how talented you are and realize that people play this sport for a living.”

“Really?” she asked, hopeful.

“Yes, now come here.” I held her tight to my chest. “Sleep, now.”

She didn’t even have the energy to reply before she drifted away to a deep slumber, snoring softly with a furrow between her brows. Like she was even stressed in her sleep.

Sierra only got much worse after that. It felt like everything I tried to say to reassure her slipped right through her mind. She hadn’t even played a game with her team, but her finals weren’t till a couple of weeks, so she still had plenty of time.

But I worried that she wasn’t in the right headspace for anything, and I felt helpless as I watched her fade away.

The only time some glimmer returned to her eyes was when I said something sweet.