Chapter 8 Avery
avery
With classes finally over, I drag my feet across campus, the strap of my bag digging into my shoulder with the extra three books I snatched from the library this afternoon.
I drag out my phone, dismissing an unread message from Milo.
“Fuck, I’m going to be late!” This is the best day of the week, the day when the esports tournament takes over Knotlocke Academy.
It’s probably one of the better things about the academy as a whole too—each and every sports team has a fanbase.
Well, maybe not the grav-ball players because I have no idea what that sport even is.
Making a beeline for the tournament room—a large gym with a stage in the middle, full desktop setups for both teams and chairs situated on the floor around them in a circle—I finally find my seat, Milo waving me down.
“Didn’t think you’d make it!” He all but screams in my ear, grinning as I squeeze by someone to finally breathe.
The place is more packed than usual, everyone buzzing for another win.
The team has been undefeated for months and we’re all hoping for that streak to continue.
I also want to believe that Declan’s last words to me meant something—that tonight he’s not going to ignore me. That maybe there will even be a repeat.
The crowd cheers as the Knotlocke team files in, rocking black and hot pink branded merch—sleek jackets and fitted tees that make them look like rock stars.
My eyes lock on Declan, my breath in my throat at how different he looks in his element.
He’s gorgeous in a suit, but this? This is everything.
His short black hair is tousled just right and that cocky grin is back, the one that makes my knees weak.
He’s joking with one of his teammates as they take their seats and start preparing for the beginning of the game.
Even from here, I can imagine his pine scent wrapping around me, fantasies of myself in place of that controller.
Focus, Avery. Not here.
The rival team marches in from the other side, their blue and silver merch a stark contrast to Knotlocke.
They’re from Crestwood Academy, all four of them exhibiting the same intense energy that our team is.
A peppy Beta with a mic steps onto the stage, silencing the rest of us.
“Welcome to the Knotlocke versus Crestwood StarPulse showdown! This is a high-stakes match, best of three rounds, with a fifteen-minute time limit per round. First team to capture the enemy base or eliminate all opponents wins!”
The crowd roars, Milo leaning into to whisper, “Declan’s gonna crush this. Bet he’s thinking about you while he’s shooting.” He wiggles his brows, and I elbow him in the side, laughing despite my nerves.
“He is not,” I say, but my gaze doesn’t waver from the Alpha. He’s adjusting his headset, his hands moving with that same precision I watched yesterday. His rough voice crackles through the speakers as he calls out to his team, “Lock in, let’s move!”
The game begins and it’s chaos in the best way.
StarPulse is a fast-paced strategy shooter, all neon landscapes and tactical plays, at least from what I remember the one time Declan tried to teach me.
Our team spawns in a glowing jungle, their avatars darting through vines as they set up defenses.
Crestwood’s team comes out swinging, lobbing digital grenades, the screens flashing with explosions.
One of our team’s voice cuts through the chaos.
“Brad, flank right. Dec, hold the ridge.”
Milo nudges me, grinning. “Your boy’s a beast. No wonder you dropped three grand.”
“Oh my god, shut up,” I whisper back at him. My cheeks flame like they have been all day as I shove Milo out of my space so that I can focus on the game.
Declan’s avatar snipes an enemy, and the crowd cheers, his grin flashing on the jumbotron. It’s that panty-dropping smile, my eyes widening as I catch him mouthing words that the world doesn’t need to know.
“Pretty boy, this is for you.”
I swallow nervously, hoping no one is able to read his lips like I just did. Unfortunately, Milo is a special breed of amazing. “Pretty boy? Holy shit, that’s you! I told you—”
I slap a hand over his mouth to get him to shut up. “Seriously, Milo? God, I’m going to ask your brother to strangle you the next time I see him. Or maybe you just need a big strong Alpha, yourself? How’s Raven?” I watch as Milo turns bright red and settles back in his seat.
We both have our forbidden crushes—Raven, the football coach’s daughter and assistant to the team.
I know it’s only a matter of time before Milo and his brother, Quentin, find a way into her heart.
It’s a cheap shot but it’ll keep Milo quiet and everyone around us from finding out what happened last night.
We’re on the last round, with minutes to go before the timer is up.
The teams are tied at a match each, fingers flying over buttons, the tension so thick that you could cut it with a knife.
Someone curses and then a Crestwood player yells out a move I’ve never heard before.
It feels like the temperature in the room drops as emotions rise, a chaos of scents exploding in the small gym.
The Knotlocke team is ahead by a few points, or at least that’s what the announcer says. All I know is that I’m praying for another one, my hands clasped together as my gaze darts across the neon screens. Sienna’s shrill voice cuts through the noise as she cheers on Declan, my nerves on edge.
The screens continue to explode with action, StarPulse’s neon jungle disappearing as Declan’s team pushes for the enemy base.
I’m swept back to last summer, just after Mom and Dad’s wedding, when Declan found me moping in the living room, bored out of my mind.
Dad had so many rules to keep me ‘safe’ and wouldn’t let me work so most of my time was spent at home.
Cue Declan and suddenly I had someone to focus on.
It was then that he introduced me to StarPulse. I was hilariously awful at it and didn’t have any desire to play the game but it was fun with him. That’s when I felt the spark between us, the obsession and the craving that’s grown ever since.
“Cut the goo-goo eyes,” Milo jabs me in my shoulder. “Or everyone is going to know. I won’t even have to say anything.”
He’s right so I tamper down my expression, waiting until the buzzer sounds just as one of our team explodes the enemy base. Cheers erupt through the gym, the Knotlocke team jumping out of their seats, hugging and screaming with joy.
The announcer yells about their victory, the chaos in the gym turning to an 11, a bit too much for me.
I want to walk up there, have Declan pull me close and kiss me for the win but we would be scandalized for the rest of our time at the academy.
And as much as I want him, I’m not ready for the whispers.
My phone buzzes and I pull it out, frowning at the text Declan just sent.
Party at Knotty Sig Theta.
I look up to see Delcan’s head tilted, his gaze focused on me, a playful pout on his face. The problem is he’s never invited me to a party before and I don’t know why he would now.
I text him back.
Why?
Suddenly, my phone is ringing and I fumble it before pressing it to my ear. I can barely hear him over everything else.
“I have a feeling I did something wrong and I didn’t mean to, Avery. I just knew that you didn’t have class early and I didn’t want to wake you. I don’t do the dating thing. I don’t know how this works but I want you near me. I kept hoping you’d walk past the practice room.”
Confusion spreads through me, desire following because I want to believe his words. “You…”
“I want you, pretty boy. So fucking bad but I didn’t know if last night was too much. I didn’t do it right, okay? Let’s have a do over. Come to the party, Avery.”
“I don’t… parties aren’t…”
“Feign sick or something so I can take you home early. Then maybe we can make up for lost time.”
That sounds like a plan I’m on board with. Someone starts jostling his shoulder and he hangs up, his gaze lingering for a few seconds before he turns to celebrate with his team.
Milo shakes me out of my stupor, twisting me toward him. “So?”
“He said sorry for being weird but he wants me at his side.”
Milo’s grin takes over his whole face. “Oh, please tell me you’re not going to turn into those disgusting couples that hang all over each other.”
I know we won’t be but that doesn’t mean I can’t tease Milo. “You’re just jealous you can’t do that with Raven.”