For The Win (Gamer Girls, #6) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,76

her knees. "I don't know."

"So give me the facts," Kate said. "What happened, Rhaven? You said you were packing, and then you were on a plane, and I have no idea what's going on."

"I think they're shocked," she finally admitted. "No, I know they are. My brother, though? Tyler's an idiot. He was always the popular guy, the one who was cool, and good at sports, and all of that stuff. A man's man, I guess? But he got it. He understood I was trying to say I'm trans, and he tried hard to accept my name - " Her voice cracked. She tried to clear her throat, but it only helped so much. "Dad said he loves me. He didn't move, didn't really ask questions. He kinda stood there like he'd been punched, but he still said that he..."

And that was when her voice gave in. The stinging in her eyes made it clear that she couldn't keep pushing or they'd run over. Instead, she licked her lips, shifting her hands so she didn't accidentally bruise herself by clasping them too hard.

"They're trying," Kate assured her, pushing a button before hurrying back over. "Rhaven, they got attacked today too. Someone came at their family, and while it's not the same, that had to be a lot for them to take in."

"But I don't know what it means," Rhaven whimpered. "I don't know what they want. I don't know how they expect me to act."

"No, sweetie. That's backwards. This is your life. You're the one who gets to decide who you are."

"Tyler called," she finally admitted. "While I was on the plane. He called but didn't leave a voicemail. I just saw the notice when I checked my phone."

"You should at least let him know you got here safely." Kate sat down beside her. "Just send a text and then turn your phone silent or 'do not disturb,' ok? Anyone who needs us can get me, and I can screen everything for you."

"But, aren't I supposed to be doing something?" Rhaven asked.

"You're doing it," Kate promised. "We're going to have coffee, and in a second, room service should bring up our meals. Then we're going to eat, have some more coffee, and when that's done, we'll have a little of the bottle of whiskey I had sent up."

"Yeah?"

Kate nodded. "Yes. And we're going to watch a movie, drink a little more, and somewhere in there you're going to start talking, and I'm going to sit here and listen to it all. Do you know why?"

"Because that's what friends do?"

"Because you've done all of that and more for me," Kate said. "And yeah, that's what friends do. They stand up when the other needs them. And anything that happens in this room? Well, it's no one's business but ours. Not even Adam's, ok?"

Rhaven finally smiled. "And maybe we can look at hairstyles? Because, if I'm not trying to be my father's son anymore, maybe I can do something pretty?"

"You're really more the punk type," Kate said, grabbing her laptop. "Google women's medium hairstyles, and we'll go from there." She paused as someone knocked on the door. "That should be dinner." Then she stood. "Oh, and Rhaven? This moment, right here? This is the start of the rest of your life. Your real life. You can be pretty, or tough, or anything else - because you no longer have to hide anything. And if someone doesn't like it, they'll have to come through me first."

Chapter 26

The pair of women enjoyed steak, lobster, and just about every high end item on the menu. There was even some fancy dessert. And while they ate, Rhaven looked through images on Pinterest and Google for hairstyle ideas. The problem was that she honestly hated most of them. Rhaven wasn't some pretty little girl with curls and highlights. She wanted to be more of the wild child type.

Then she saw it. "Think I can pull this off?" She turned the laptop so Kate could see.

"You want to shave it above your ears?" Her best friend looked shocked.

Rhaven just shrugged. "Couple of inches, sure. Leave the part on top long. Then I could curl it, style it, and still look a little tough with it back in a ponytail."

"It's very you," Kate agreed, "but I'd be too chicken." Then she sat up. "So do it!"

"Yeah?"

Kate just nodded, almost like she was convincing herself. "Definitely. And your hair is dark enough to work with it. Or did you want