Page 146 of Glitched Play

We used the same announcer as the Armadillos and his voice grabs the attention of all the fans. “SGI would like to thank the Seattle Evergreens for an exciting game that came down to the wire. I actually got tired of saying first down.” Everyone laughs. “Our innovative leader, Witt O’Ryan has given the country another way to join or follow a sports team. But I think, tonight, we also need to give a round of applause to Maci Hart for putting on an outstanding launch of the e-football league.”

For some reason tonight I can’t stop smiling. My face actually hurts a little. I don’t think I’ve smiled this much in my life combined.

Matt responds with a wolf whistle behind me.

Parker says, “Hell yeah. Way to go Maci.”

The rest of my family is clapping and Noelle is jumping.

But I just start walking. Maci receives congratulatory hugs by other executives and Dara. Then by the competitors, but I head straight for her anyway.

I don’t hear anyone’s words.

I can’t think. I don’t even know what I’m doing.

When everyone notices me they slap my back, pat my arm. I hate being touched by almost everyone. But still, I don’t think about it.

I reach for Maci.

She sees me.

“Witt.”

I cup her face and look into her eyes. “I thought I understood connection because I could design the platforms that created it.” I pause. “Then I met you and realized I only understood the infrastructure.”

Tears well up in her eyes and they’re the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

“You’re my connection.”

I slip my hands into her silver hair, with one finger following the pink strands that frame her face and our lips meet. It’s soft and tender. Her hands travel to my biceps and she squeezes, letting me know she feels the same way. When we part, my forehead presses against hers and she whispers my name.

But it’s Parker and Noelle’s voices I hear above all.

“Hell yeah!”

“She’s perfect.”

I feel my eyes softening and my cheeks rising because she is perfect. Perfect for me.

The entire place goes crazy like we beat the highest level on the game. I slip my hand into Maci’s, and I get blinded by photography flashes.

I realize that my entire family, two teams, employees and by tonight, millions of online followers saw me kiss my employee. In public.

I can’t respawn and get a do-over.

And I don’t want to.

The damage is done so I place a gentle peck on her lips.

And the way she smiles at me makes me feel like we’re alone inside Franchise mode, except we’re not executing trades. We’re building more than a team.

We’re building—us.

twenty-nine

. . .

Maci