AllFreeNovel
Share Us
How the heck was I supposed to be in a relationship with someone I couldn’t pick out of a lineup? More importantly, how was I supposed to avoid my almost-kinda online boyfriend if I didn’t know what he looked like?
You’d have on-camera sex with Hux, my brain helpfully informed me. In fact, you’d really like that.
I closed my eyes and concentrated on breathing. This was true, but then again, I’d probably do anything for Hux. He was my forever exception to the rules.
The Almost-Definitely-Camden-Mallon guy was busy talking to a thirty-something-year-old woman with long dark hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. Their conversation looked flirty, which would help me with distraction.
As I fingered the tiny tracker in my pocket, I thought through the steps Hux had shown me. Bump, slide, grab, apologize.
“And if you can spill your drink on their shoes, even better.”
I had ordered a soda water with lime just for this purpose, and luckily, my hands were shaking hard enough to make the bump and spill effortless. The nearly empty cup tumbled to the carpet by his shoes.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry,” I said a little too loudly, sliding the tracker into the man’s pants pocket with one hand while grabbing his upper arm with the other and squeezing.
“When a stranger touches us, we can’t help but zero in on that touch to assess friend or foe. It’s a guaranteed distraction from a much lighter touch near the pocket.”
Hux’s words tumbled through my mind as I continued the ruse, bracing me as they always did. I let go of the man and stood up straighter, clasping my chest and inhaling to keep his attention for another beat. “I am so, so sorry. These kinds of things make an awkward gamer even more awkward, am I right? Heh.” I leaned over to retrieve the cup. “At least it was soda water instead of a strawberry daiquiri,” I added with an embarrassed laugh. “Enjoy your night.”
I strolled calmly away, knowing without a shadow of a doubt I could not do that a second time tonight without taking a break first to bring my blood pressure back into healthy limits.
Maybe meeting Adam would be a good distraction. I could say hello and wish him luck in the tournament, at least. After all, it wasn’t like I wanted to sever our friendship. Even though I was with Hux, I still enjoyed having friends. Wasn’t that a sign of a healthy relationship?
Would Adam even want to remain friends even if I didn’t want more?
Only one way to find out.
HogDocKev: Hey, Adam. I’m heading your way. I’m wearing dark-framed glasses and a Proud Homesteader t-shirt.
I moved toward the food tables, catching sight of the one with a chocolate fountain on it. But instead of seeing anyone who could be Anomaly451, I saw a completely unexpected—and horrifyingly familiar—face.
The man from the motel. Linus Dixon, Vince’s partner in crime. The man I’d casually delivered a pizza to and caught on my button cam all those nights ago.
For some reason, despite all the people around us now and the utter lack of witnesses back then, this situation felt infinitely more dangerous.
My heart rate took off again, and I fumbled for my phone to call Hux. Thankfully, there was still a crowd of people between me and the motel guy, so I was able to switch directions easily and blend in with another group.
“Baby, shit,” Hux said, sounding oddly out of breath. “I just tried to call you. You’ve gotta keep your ringer on when you—”
“He’s here,” I hissed. “Vince’s accomplice.”
“I know. Wait, how do you know?”
“Because I saw him. I recognized him. I—”
“Okay, stay where you are. I’m coming. Getting in elevator right—” The connection ended.
I scurried around a ten-foot-tall troll balloon near the bar and joined the crowd queuing for pictures with the Tin Archer. While I waited for Hux, I messaged Adam. He might not be boyfriend material—not for me, not in real life—but I also didn’t want him to end up anywhere near Linus Dixon. Not only that, but I didn’t want to wait alone in this room while Hux traversed the enormous hotel to get to the conference center on the opposite end.
HogDocKev: Hey, sorry. Can we meet on the other side of the room by the bar under the square chandelier? I’m thirsty.
Anomaly451: I’m gonna be the thirsty one, baby. *flame emoji* Heading that way now. So glad you changed your mind. I can’t wait to hold you!
My brain translated “hold” as “hug” to keep me from completely losing my nerve. Adam was going to have to accept I wasn’t interested in that anymore. And if he didn’t… things were going to get very uncomfortable when Hux showed up.
I waited a solid three minutes before leaving the picture line to join a throng that was heading toward the bar while loudly arguing about the use of flamethrowers to battle pernicious Kudzu Creepers.
