For The Win (Gamer Girls, #6) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,44

she locked her door, turned on her computer, and changed while it was booting up. Just to be sure, she sent Kate a text saying she was logging in. Then, once she looked like a typical guy again, she dropped down into her chair, pulled on her headphones, and opened TeamSpeak. Naturally, Kate was idling in one of the private rooms.

"Hey!" Rhaven said as soon as she joined the channel.

"Hey, you," Kate replied. "So? I'm assuming this means you're home. How'd it go with Braden?"

Rhaven sighed with contentment. "He's kinda amazing."

"Doesn't answer the question," Kate teased. "Are we talking stimulating conversation or was it more heavy petting?"

"Naked," Rhaven admitted, dropping her voice to a whisper.

"You had sex with him?" she squealed.

Rhaven had to turn down the volume. "You've been spending too much time with Kitty. No. It wasn't actual sex. But, yeah, um... Stuff happened."

"Really?" Kate asked. "That's all I get? C'mon, Rhaven. I'm dying over here, and Adam's hovering."

"Little groping," she admitted. "Maybe some, um, oral stuff."

"Were you giving or receiving?"

"Both," Rhaven admitted. "Although I'm pretty sure it doesn't count as a real blowjob. More like a handjob with mouth, you know?"

"Completely," Kate promised. "And you're ok with this? I mean, him going down on you? You've mentioned before that you were kinda worried."

"It was amazing," she breathed. "I don't know. It's just that when I'm with Braden, it doesn't matter what I'm wearing or that I still have, you know, a dick. He makes me feel like I'm just a woman. Even when he's, kinda, um... "

"Sucking it?" Kate supplied.

"Yeah, that." Rhaven could feel her face burning. "I'm dying over here, Kate."

"Please," Kate joked. "We both know you want to tell me everything. See, that whole not kissing and telling rule? It's only for guys. Girls? We need moral support. Just go with it, Rhaven. It's my excuse and I'm sticking with it."

Then Adam's voice came across her headset. "It's true, too. Riley does the same. Ask Murder."

"I will," she said, and Kate repeated that, proving she was using her headphones. "But here's the twist. Dad and Tyler invited Braden to dinner tonight. Sounds like they're planning to cook out."

"Oh," Kate moaned. "How's that going to work?"

"Well, Braden gets that I'm not out at home, and my brother's been..." She huffed. "He's convinced there's something between us. And he said that it's because of how Braden looks at me. Considering that he also Googled him and knows all about the stuff online about the Deviant devs? Well, he's convinced I'm gay."

Kate pulled in air between her teeth. "Oh, that's going to be awkward."

"No kidding. But I also told Tyler that I was trying to figure something out. I mean, I want to tell them before I leave for Denver. Figure that'll give my family some time to think about this so it might be less weird when I come home, you know?"

"It's a good plan," Kate agreed.

"What if they tell me not to come back?" she asked. "Kate, that's what I'm freaking out about. I mean, Tyler's trying to bully Braden - which is kinda funny to watch, in all honesty. But still! I mean, I think he'd be ok with this if I was gay, but he keeps calling me his little brother, and I just don't know - "

"Shh..." Kate soothed. "Rhaven, we'll figure it out, ok? They'll be fine, and I know it's scary, but look at it the other way. If your brother is trying so hard to prove that he's ok with you being gay, then is it really a stretch to think that he'll accept you as trans?"

"Even if he does, what about Dad? she asked. "He's not progressive like that!"

"But you said he's pretty laid back," Kate countered. "Besides, it's different when it's someone in your own family. You're also girly enough that no one in their right mind would think you're a typical straight guy. I'm sorry. You are a woman, and if your biological family can't accept that, then your virtual family will step up."

"I know," she breathed. "But I don't want to be some damsel in distress. I don't want to let others save me. I want to have one of those coming out experiences that gets made into an inspirational meme."

"Pretty sure everyone does," Kate said. "But, Rhaven, you have to remember that you've been hiding this a long time. There will be shock. That's not the same as refusal, though. It's just surprise, and it doesn't