For The Win (Gamer Girls, #6) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,85

porch."

That was what did it. Both of Rhaven's hands went over her mouth and her eyes shone with tears. The first time she blinked, they began spilling over, and she couldn't stop them. Braden slipped out of his chair, around the table, and onto the cushion beside her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his chest.

"It's ok, baby," he breathed.

"Oh, kiddo," Bill groaned. "I'm sorry. Don't you worry about them."

"No," she blubbered. "You said I don't need help. You said I'm fine."

"You're perfect," Bill told her. "I love you, Rhaven, and I'm so proud of you for facing all of that. You did just like I taught you. You made a plan, and you did what you had to, even if it sucked. I just wish I coulda helped more." He paused. "Tyler! Hey. I have Rhaven on the phone, and Braden."

Then the sound changed, clearly Bill putting his phone on speaker. "Rhaven?" It was Tyler's voice. "You ok?"

"She's in a suite in Denver," Bill said.

"But are you ok?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah," Rhaven managed before sniffing.

"She's holding in there," Braden assured him. "It's been kinda emotional, though."

"Well, better not be you making her cry, Braden," Tyler warned. "I will beat the shit out of you if you break my sister's heart."

Rhaven just pressed her face into Braden's chest. The sound that came out was a laugh, but he could feel the dampness on his shirt. "Nope," he said toward the phone. "Pretty sure you're the ones making her cry. Guys, she's going to be fine. She got a haircut, had her nails done - "

"And Adam bought me new clothes," she mumbled.

So Braden repeated that. "But we're going to take care of her. There's just one problem. I don't think it's a good idea for her to go back right now. I mean, the PLG tournament is this weekend, but will this blow over by Sunday?"

"No," Bill admitted.

"Then you're coming home with me," he told her. "Or Kate. Ok, baby? Let us help, and we'll make sure everything works out, but I don't mind a house guest for a while. Not at all."

"I'm broke," she reminded him.

"I'm not," he promised. "And I'm not too proud to ask Chance or Adam for a loan, either. We got this, and together we're all going to figure it out. You just worry about getting to the final round this weekend. Pull a Riley and take out your anger on the enemy, right? And Dez has Cyn on the KoG thing."

"What?" Bill asked.

"The people who outed her are going to pay," Braden promised. "They did this to scare her away from gaming, and I'll be damned if anyone comes at my girl. I'm gonna make sure they pay."

"I knew I liked you for a reason," Tyler said. "Just keep us in the loop?"

"Promise," Braden said. "Kinda like in-laws, right? I'll get your numbers from Rhave's phone."

"Exactly," Bill agreed.

Chapter 29

Braden gave her family his number, and then ended the call with Rhaven still curled up against his chest. He tugged her a little closer, then smoothed her hair, caressing the back of her head until she finally looked up at him. Her mascara was smudged, so he wiped beneath her eyes with his thumb.

"Are those good tears?" he asked.

She nodded. "They don't hate me."

"I had a feeling they wouldn't." Then he leaned in and kissed her brow. "But did you hear that other part?"

"That everyone hates me?" she asked.

"That you're coming home with either me or Kate," he corrected. "I guess there could be someone else too, but you need to think about it. No, you don't have to tell me who, but I have no problems having you stay with me. Might even drag you up to work so you can see the kind of mess that goes on behind the scenes."

"Really?" she asked.

He nodded. "I mean, if I'm not pushing too much, or rushing, or anything."

A little laugh slipped from her lips and she pressed her head against his shoulder, still looking at him. "I'm sorry I freaked out."

"None of that," he said. "Rhaven, you'd just been blindsided. Neither of us expected your family to invite me to dinner, and then you had to sit there and pretend to be something you aren't? No, don't be sorry. Don't ever be sorry for doing what you have to."

"But I made a mess of it."

His fingers found the side of her face, moving back to that shaved spot over her ear.