Page 18 of From Drummer to Gamer
As they talked, my eyes never strayed far from the man whose presence energized the room like a rapid current flow.
I thought Matty Evans was beautiful in the pictures, but he proved me wrong.
He was breathtaking in real life.
The sharp chisel of his jawline, his straight nose, and those smoldering blue-green eyes tingled a fire in me that left me breathless.
I sighed from my position in the corner. I could just stare at him all day long.
My spine jerked to attention when I heard the word guardian, and like clockwork, the gears in my head turned.
New York. Next month. The tournament.
The sixth national e-gaming tournament will be held in New York this year, and the qualifiers will start next week. I was thinking of a way to escape my mother’s grasp, and I couldn’t think of a better fucking way.
“I’ll go,” I snapped, and their eyes flew to me. Fuck, nervousness rattled my gut whenhiseyes landed on me. But my dream was on the line, and that mattered more. You can do this, Sierra.
“I’ll go.” I straightened my spine. “I’ll be his guardian.”
“Sierra.” My mother frowned. “What could you possibly do in New York?”
What could I possibly do? What could I possibly do?
“Summer class,” I blurted. “Terry said summer classes started at Columbia in a week. They are in person, and it would really help secure my grades and get a head start.” Terry was my fictional friend that I met in a study group, also going to Columbia this fall for pre-med.
“Have you applied?” Mother questioned, her frown fading.
Fuck, she believed me?
“Yes, I did. Just in case.” I flashed a sure smile. “Terry suggested I do.”
“But still, I don’t think it’s wise…”
“May I speak to my sister?” Raphy shot to his feet, interrupting Mother. “In private.” He didn’t wait as he stormed toward me with a determined face and dragged me to my bedroom. Through my side-eye, I could see Matt sitting there like this was the last place on earth he wanted to be.
“If this is one of your grand schemes as a crazy-ass fan, then the answer is no,” Raphy stated firmly, pinning me with his gaze.
“It’s not, okay?” I assured. “I didn’t even know this was going to happen, and yes, I still didn’t forget how you sprang him on me.” I pointed a finger before huffing out a breath. “But this is about the tournament. Qualifiers start in a week, and if I… no,whenI get qualified, I have to be there every week for the match. I know I’m making it to the finals. Plus, the crew and I can practice in peace without Mother breathing down my neck.”
His gaze softened.
“Maybe… maybe if I win, I can show her I can do this. I can prove to her that gaming is not something stupid.”
“You don’t have to prove anything, Si. My sister is the most badass gamer in the world, and I know she’s gonna take home the prize,” he declared.
I smiled. “So does that mean I get to stay with you and…Matt?”
He folded his arms, staring at me. “Fine,” he said after a beat. “But seduce him in private, or else I’ll have to hurl my stomach out.”
“Fucker.” I blushed, swatting his arm. “There will be no such thing happening.”
He rolled his eyes. “Never say never. Fuck, let’s go. Big man’s probably having the biggest regret of his life.”
“I would be too if you’d introduced me to Victoria Chan on day one,” I mumbled, following him out.
Everyone looked up as we entered the living room.
“Sierra can be my guardian,” Raphael announced before anyone could say a thing.
