Page 14 of Push My Buttons

I pocket my phone and start walking toward the office, my mind still replaying those moments in the café. The way her hands moved, elegant and expressive. The recognition in her eyes when Maya mentioned my game.

Tonight will be different. Tonight, I'll know who I'm playing with.

The question is: does she know who I am?

And if she doesn't, how do I tell her that WrathSpawn—the guy she's been gaming with for months—is the same awkward developer who can barely string two words together in her presence?

I finish my coffee and toss the cup in a recycling bin. The city bustles around me, but I barely notice. My thoughts are full of pink hair and silent precision and the strange, unexpected ways our worlds have collided.

For the first time in weeks, I feel something other than the usual morning grumpiness.

I feel... anticipation.

Chapter 5

Wren

Tonight'splan?It'snotthe usual. Not after the photo from my window. Not after the message that's still lodged in my throat like a shard of glass.

I send a message in the gaming chat to say I won’t be online tonight, before I take the bus to the Behind the Lens studios. My backpack is heavy with essentials—extra clothes, phone charger, the emergency burner phone I keep for paranoid moments like this. The ride is uneventful, but I can't shake the feeling of being watched. Every time the bus stops, I check the new passengers. Every time someone sits too close, I shift away.

It's nearly ten when I finally arrive. The studio sits back from the road, all industrial chic and privacy. I punch in my code at the side entrance and slip inside, the familiar sandalwood-vanilla scent wrapping around me like a security blanket. The lighting is soft, the hallways quiet. Most performers are either mid-session or haven't arrived yet.

I'm halfway to the locker room when I spot Lorna coming out of her office, electric blue hair catching the light. She looks up from her tablet and does a double-take.

"Wren! Perfect timing." Her eyes narrow slightly—not suspicious, just observant. "Everything okay, no new messages?"

I set my bag down and start signing, my hands moving quickly to say no more messages but how it is still affecting me. The creeping dread that I feel.

Lorna's expression darkens with each gesture. By the time I finish, she's already nodding.

"It’s beyond creepy. If you need to, we can get you somewhere safe."

I shake my head. “Just need to cam from here until I find a new place.”

"Of course." She tucks her tablet under her arm. "You know your subscribers won't mind the change of scenery. Some might even prefer it."

I give her a small smile. Relief washes through me—not just at her easy acceptance, but at the matter-of-fact way she handles it. No drama. No pity. Just practical solutions.

"Actually," she continues, "this might work out perfectly. I've been meaning to talk to you about something."

She gestures for me to follow her back to her office. Inside, the walls are covered with concept boards and photography samples. A large calendar draft is spread across her desk.

"We're doing a themed calendar shoot with our top performers. Professional photography, high production value, paired with special cam sessions to promote each month." She taps the mock-up. "I want you for September."

I raise an eyebrow, surprised. “Me?”

"Don't look so shocked. You're one of our most consistent earners, and your aesthetic is exactly what we need." She smirks. "Plus, I know you'll actually show up on time, unlike some of our divas."

I can't help but feel a flutter of pride. Behind the Lens isn't just any cam studio—it's the gold standard. Lorna built it from theground up after her own performing career, creating a place that actually respects its talent. Being singled out means something.

“What's the theme?”I ask.

"Each month gets a holiday or observance. September's open. Pick something that speaks to you."

I pull out my phone and do a quick search for September holidays. Most are either too generic or wouldn't translate well to a sexy photoshoot. But then I see it—September 12th. National Video Games Day.

Perfect. A way to blend my two worlds without anyone realizing it.