Page 14 of Glitched Play

Dad straightens. "What kind of maybe?"

"The interview kind." And within seconds I'm surrounded. Questions fly from every direction.

Where?

What position?

When?

Are they paying travel expenses?

How long?

What company?

When I finally say Synatrix Global Interactive, the entire table goes quiet.

Even Tyler.

"Wait," he says. "The gaming company?"

"Yes."

"The giant gaming and streaming company?"

"Still yes."

His eyes widen.

"Does this mean you'll finally make a game where I can hit home runs?"

I roll my eyes. "You already think you're the main character."

"Because I am, Mace."

Several people laugh. Mom reaches over and squeezes my hand. I guess since it’s still a big company, it makes her happy. Dad's smile couldn't be bigger if I'd won the lottery. I’ve finally impressed them.

But it's Chase who catches my attention. He's standing a few feet away, watching me. Proud. Like he expected this all along.

When our eyes meet, he gives me a single nod. The kind that says:

See? I told you.

The knot that has lived in my chest for months loosens slightly. Because maybe I can do this. Maybe I belong somewhere bigger than this town. Maybe I've always belonged in Austin, two hours away.

Later that night, I sit on the edge of my bed in my noiseless house. No more baseball or interview celebrations so I open my computer and fill out the assessment and reality settles in.

Austin. Synatrix. Witt O'Ryan, the GOAT of gaming.

The future suddenly feels terrifyingly real.

My gaze drifts toward the nightstand, toward the drawer. I already know what's inside. I slowly pull it open and the unfinished letter waits exactly where I left it.

The envelope.

The folded pages.

The words I couldn't bring myself to start, much less finish.