For The Win (Gamer Girls, #6) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,105

act, and she had the tough persona down at the conventions - although, she wasn't as good about it at home - but that was all it was. She was putting on an act.

"She doesn't believe she's worth it," he said, glancing over to look at Psyc. "Rhaven thinks we're nice to her because she's a friend. She doesn't get that she's cute. She has no idea that she's not some pariah."

"I know," Psyc said. "Sometimes, late at night, she gets talking about it. About how she wishes she was different. Sometimes it's longer hair. Sometimes it's bigger boobs. Sometimes it's more girly. Ok, most times. She has this idea that she's somehow failing, or not good enough, and that we're not actually into her. We're just playing our own roles."

"You freaked out that she's trans?" Braden asked.

Psyc groaned, ducking his head while he did it. "Yes and no? I mean, the freak-out part is because I do like her, Braden. And I'm serious as fuck about you screwing up. She dumps you and I'm moving in."

"But?" Braden asked, hearing something still hanging between them.

"I've never... you know. I mean, the things I know about a trans woman are from what she's told me. I'm dumb as shit, and that kinda freaks me out."

"Fucking her?" Braden asked. "I mean, you get that woman naked, and she's got a dick."

Psyc glanced over his shoulder, checking to make sure no one was listening to them. When he turned back, he lowered his voice to almost a whisper. "She's hot, though. I'm not into dicks. I sure don't want to be fucked by one. I also don't mind some anal, ya know? I just... I don't have a fucking clue how that works, and trying to check it out on PornHub? Yeah, not quite accurate."

"Fuck no," Braden laughed. "That shit's nothing like being with her."

"You and she..." Psyc let that trail off, the implications obvious.

"Messed around," Braden said. "Psyc, she's a fucking virgin. Being with her? It's like experimenting to see if she likes it. Her dick also isn't like yours. She's not going to want to fuck you. Hormones, man. Doesn't get all the way hard."

"Oh." Psyc bobbed his head, clearly not expecting that and unsure what else to say.

Braden just sighed. "Think of it more like a really big clit and an ass, ok? Does that help?"

"Why are you telling me this?" Psyc asked.

"Because I always fuck up, man," Braden admitted. "I'm a shit boyfriend. I have a temper. I say stupid-ass shit. I like that girl so much, and I figure that when she realizes that I'm not her only option, I'll be last week's news."

"And you're still all in?" Psyc asked.

"I like her." Braden turned to the switchboard that controlled all the monitors. "A lot."

"So why are you giving me tips?" Psyc pressed.

"Because you'd treat her good," Braden said. "I dunno. Because if she can't have me, then I want her to have someone who realizes how amazing she is. I don't want to see her treated like some fetish or some checkbox on a bucket list, you know? You're into her, and while she may not see that, I do. So..." He shrugged. "I just want to see her happy."

"She is," Psyc insisted. Then he laughed. "Bro, we're fucked up."

"Nah, we're putting our girl..." He paused, letting his words trail off as an idea slapped him upside the head. "First," he finished in a breath.

"What?" Psyc asked, looking confused.

"When you get back in there, tell Riley it's like her deal with Murder," he decided. "And then I want you to go crazy. Fucking hit on her, Psyc. Kiss her. I don't give a fuck. I want to put her first, and for once in her life, Rhaven deserves to know that she's not the leftovers. She's not the consolation prize. She's the woman men are fighting over."

"She won't do that," Psyc said. "That's not Rhaven. She won't cheat on you."

"Which is why you're going to get Riley's help. She'll know what I'm talking about, because she told me the story. A little theater to throw KoG off, right? Well, if it happens to boost Rhaven's confidence, then it's a win-win, right?"

"You're seriously going to let me hit on your girl?" Psyc asked.

Braden just shrugged. "Once, a long time ago, I put my hands on Dez. Just reached over and grabbed her to move her out of my way. I touched Destiny Pierce because it never dawned on me