AllFreeNovel
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By the time I unpack, shower, and change, he’s back.
He comes with me downstairs but leaves enough distance I almost forget he’s there. I find my teammates in the dark ballroom, a wide, enormous space with screens everywhere and gamers strolling about. I pass through the crowd of people who stare at me with open mouths. When my teammates see me, I give them each a hug. We look at each other and chuckle. After so many years of playing together, it’s nice to see them in person.
Scott, my agent, waves at me, pushing through the crowds. “Violet, you made it.”
The conference room is abuzz with people and players crowding the panels. A few of them not-so-subtly elbow each other and point in my direction.
For hours, I find myself signing autographs. When I finally retreat to a quiet corner, Noah finds me.
I take him in; he has almond-shaped brown eyes and a handsome face, but my heart doesn’t jolt, and my insides don’t tremble with need when I look at him. My husband took everything I could give. I miss him, and I wish he were here.
A wave of regret pushes aside my selfishness. But any woman who has desperately loved a man would understand how unrequited love feels like. Agony strangles your heart. Needles of despair pierce your soul. It kills you slowly.
“It’s a lot to take in, right? Especially since this is your first time. Are you alright?”
Noah’s question pulls me out of my thoughts. I nod, and he leans in next to me, our shoulders brushing. I shift away from him, putting a bit of distance between us.
“It’s good to see you in person,” he says.
Anxiety tears at my composure, and I check my phone for the millionth time.
“We’re going to win this.”
I offer a noncommittal reply and walk toward the elevators with Cato not far away.
Back in my room, I lie on the bed, thinking of Cameron. Why hasn’t he called? Should I call him?
Torn, I push my phone aside. We’ll talk when I get back home.
For the next two days, I throw myself into the game. As a team, we deliver our best performance yet, decimating the competition in Defshot. We win against one team after another, giving me a boost of endorphins I desperately need.
It feels good to be in my element, surrounded by my team. But I am so tired of missing Cameron and being confused that I nod when Noah asks me to have a drink with him. I wish my husband were here to see how far I’ve come and how much I’ve accomplished.
At the bar, I’m nursing my second glass of whiskey and listening to Noah recount how his mother said she’d buy him a dog if he stopped playing so much. He told her he had a virtual dog.
This alcohol gives me a good buzz, almost dimming the fact that I want my husband here with me instead of Noah. Missing Cameron makes me almost forget he doesn’t love me.
Noah inches toward me. One second later, his lips are on mine, gentle, not demanding, and certainly not possessive. There are no tingles to make my heart melt for him.
I’m frozen with shock, but it’s replaced quickly by anger. I push him away, looking around me. I only calm down when no one seems to be paying attention. Wiping his kiss off, I try to compose myself.
“I’m married and didn’t give you permission to kiss me.”
“I thought the two of us might... I mean, I’ve always had a crush on you...”
“Never do that again.”
“Sorry. I mean, your husband is an asshole.”
I am so fucking tired.
And only I can call him that.
“Don’t call my husband that. That was me in the picture, Noah. The real me. And if he finds out what you just did, he’s going to kill you.”
Literally.
***
