Page 8 of From Drummer to Gamer

“I know someone here.” I gave him a vague response, just in case he turned out to be one of the crazy fans. I’ve had a fair share of them through the years, and they weren’t really my favorite. “Like I said, you’re good.”

He smirked. “I know.”

“You can be better. I want to sign you.”

“Okay.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “This is definitely now a prank.”

“Look, kid.” I pinned him with a stare. “I don’t have time to waste. I think you have incredible talent, a kind I haven’t seen in a while. I can see your potential. It’s not news yet, but I’m starting my own label. I want you to be my debut artist.”

He scoffed. “Okay, next, are you telling me you have a pony show and need me as a rider?”

“No. I said what I said. I don’t joke,” I replied, staring at him blankly.

He crossed his arms, rolling his eyes as he regarded me, but I didn’t say a word.

“Wait.” Raphael choked. “You’re actually serious?”

“Yes,” I firmed.

“You mean sign me like an artist? Meaning I get to be a famous singer, play shows, and make albums? That only happens in the fucking movies for people like me.”

“I was you once.” A slight breeze rustled over us. “Yet here I am. And you can be too. Opportunities like this don’t come often, and when they come, you take them.” I reached for my wallet and pulled out my card. “Here, I’ll be here the same time next week. Hope you make a decision by then. I won’t wait around forever.”

He stood there, gawking as I handed him my card.

I gave him a curt nod and spun around.

“You better not be fooling me.” I heard him call out from somewhere in the distance, but I didn’t bother correcting him.

The decision was left to him.

I wasn’t the one to make a reckless move like this.

I usually was tactful, meticulous, and strategic.

I followed my head rather than my heart.

But this time, something told me I was right.

Something told me this was going to lead me to something else.

I don’t know what, but it sparked an unusual fire in my heart.

CHAPTER 3

SIERRA

“I’m heading straight to the loot,” I said through the microphone, my eyes laser-focused on the screen.

My fingers clashed with the keyboard at a maddening pace as I dodged the next attack and maneuvered to the chest. “Tank me from the right,” I muttered, crouching behind a boulder as I healed, switching to my beloved spellcaster dagger.

“Roger that,” Tin replied, his character (a huge giant in a Viking mask) stumbled to my right, covering me as he took damage from the enemy.

“Ambush to the left,” Kiki shrieked, and I watched her pink-haired, leather-clad character sidestep the beams targeted at her while she pulled her crossbow and fired off toward the enemy.

Fuck, this wasn’t looking good for the team.

But that was why they had me.