For The Win (Gamer Girls, #6) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,49
my world, and it's one of the shittiest things anyone can do."
Bill nodded. "But he's ok? I mean, Ethan's had some hard times. He struggles with depression, you know, and it hasn't been easy."
"Saw the scars," Braden admitted. "I can promise you, though, that I'll keep an eye on him. I'm at every one of those conventions, and I've seen exactly how bad that can get. I'll also tell a few people to do the same. If something happens, there will be people around to help. I can give you my word on that."
"It's all I needed," Bill said, reaching over to thump Braden's leg. "And you're a good kid. Never would've figured you to be the kind to hang out with Ethan, but sounds like you two get along pretty well."
Braden chuckled at that. "Believe it or not, I'm just as much of a dork. Kinda always the odd one out with my friends, but I'm ok with that. I'd rather hang out with the smart crowd than the tough one."
"Sometimes they're both," Bill countered.
"Most times," Braden agreed. "And Ethan? He's a lot more brave than he realizes."
Chapter 17
Once her dad started cooking, things relaxed a bit. Granted, Rhaven's family still gave Braden crap, but it was as if he'd passed a test. Rhaven wasn't sure what had happened when she went inside, but it seemed to have been a good thing. Before she knew it, they were talking about condiments and picking on Braden for eating his burgers with mayonnaise.
From there, they laughed. Rhaven had a few too many beers, but so did Tyler. Dad stuck with two, saying he had work in the morning. Braden had the most, yet he definitely wasn't drunk. Six beers in four hours wasn't that bad for a guy his size. They ate, they laughed some more, and when Tyler started talking sports, Braden proved he really and truly was a geek, knowing exactly nothing about pro football.
It was actually kinda nice, though. Sure, she knew it wasn't fair to Braden to make him go through this, but he didn't seem to mind. The man was as comfortable at her house as he was at a gamer convention. The biggest problem was that she kept staring at him. Watching him laugh with a beer halfway to his lips, or seeing the man groan in delight at a home-grilled burger? It just looked good on him.
The same way him between her legs had looked good. Just like how his naked body looked good. Some instinctual part of her brain wanted her to reach over and take his hand, catch his eye, or do one of those other sweet things that couples did. She couldn't. With Tyler already suspicious of things between them, she had to put on her best "normal guy" routine. The big problem was that she sucked at it.
Yet every time she faltered, Braden dragged her right back into the conversation. He talked about the pink against blue match. Her brother guessed that she played pink, and Braden made it clear that all the top gamers had. The hard part had been finding a map where pink and blue wouldn't be a handicap, but Andy had designed a beach vacation concept, and it had all worked out. Now, they were thinking about making it a regular competition.
The whole time he talked, it was as if her father and brother began to realize that this gaming thing wasn't some passing fancy. Braden told them about Void making a name for himself in virtual law because of it, and about Murder pulling down a million or more a year. The whole thing was no different than any other professional sport. And yes, it did require real talent, he insisted. The dexterity to work the keys was one thing, but the experience and strategy to out-play the others? It was almost like chess and race car driving had gotten together to have a bastard love child.
But it didn't take long for the beer to start kicking in. Her dad leaned back in the chair at some point and blinked for a little too long. When he started snoring, they laughed, but it was enough for Braden to realize how late it had gotten. With a heavy sigh, he pushed to his feet.
"I should probably get going," he said. "Thanks for the relaxing evening. Both of you." He looked over at Tyler, then smiled at Rhaven. "Sadly, it's going to be an early morning."