Page 31 of Death, Interrupted

“Sure. I like watching other people play video games sometimes.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, it’s because I suck at playing them myself.”

There it was again. That flash of admiration. “See, the more you talk, the more I’m certain that we’re meant to be together. Fuck, I’ve just fallen in love with you for the third time.”

I laughed, and while three times seemed like an exaggeration, I didn’t question it because, again, he made me feel special.

“So? What’s your screen name?”

“It’sVisorDown.”

“VisorDown?”

“Yeah.”

“How’d you come up with that?”

“I didn’t, actually. It was one of my followers. When I first started six years ago, I was already streaming with my helmet on. I always had the visor down, and one follower kept commenting that I should put my visor up. And sure enough, I changed my screen name fromUser18363993572toVisorDown, just to mock that person. And to make a statement that I was never going to take my helmet off online.”

I chuckled. “Makes sense. And are you famous? I mean, do you have millions of followers like some other gamers?”

“Pretty much.”

“How many followers do you have?” It wouldn’t change anything, but I wanted to understand his world.

“Nineteen million.”

My jaw dropped. “Whoa, that’s amazing. Congrats.”

He smiled, proud, not cocky. That steadiness made sense with everything else I’d seen in him. He had not one single arrogant bone in his body.

“So if you’re a faceless streamer, does that mean I’m the only one who knows whatVisorDownlooks like?”

He chuckled. “Yes, and I’d appreciate it if you’d keep it to yourself.”

“Don’t worry,” I said, smiling. “I can keep a secret.”

“Good.”

We sat there for a while in an easy silence when I decided to ask him a question I had never really asked anyone.

“Sly?”

“Yeah, Sumner?”

“You know…I really like having you around. And maybe I do need someone to talk to now and then. So maybe we could be friends.”

“Damn it.”

My brows pulled together. “What?”

“I was hoping you wouldn’t friend-zone me.”

I pressed my lips together. “I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be.” His mouth tipped into a small smile. “I know you need to process your last relationship, and I don’t want to push you into something you’re not ready for. So…friends is fine. For now.”