Chapter 28
My sniper nest turned out to be fruitful, netting me about a dozen kills before I moved to a new location.
After that, I made my way through the map systematically eliminating every other player.
By the time we were down to the last two, I’d boosted my armor and added an armory worth of other weapons.
Still, the other player, Greenie, almost got me.
I knew we were both in the same town, but my ping didn’t show anyone on my map.
I assumed they weren’t close and let my guard down.
My mistake. Their character had a stealth shield I’d forgotten about.
They popped out of an alley and got a free shot, but they missed the kill by inches.
I slid to the side and strafed hard, firing my close-range pistol mid spin, just like the kid I’d watched with Vice what seemed like months ago. My shot connected, and the other player went down as the arena erupted in screams.
The giant screen split between me and Greenie, a middle-aged guy who looked like someone’s dad in cargo shorts and a ballcap. He sat back with a grimace, then smiled and waved at the camera.
I removed my headphones, not interested in hearing the game’s victory music, and searched the roiling crowd for Mase. He wasn’t where he’d been all day, and my adrenaline spiked. I refused to believe he’d leave me, but what if something had happened while I’d been playing.
My mind raced through increasingly unlikely scenarios of death and dismemberment until I spotted him pushing past security to enter the competition floor. He wasn’t the only one, and they eventually gave up as the spectators rushed into the mix of finalists.
Mase shouldered past everyone to pull me into a hug, lifting me off the floor. “I knew you’d do it. How does it feel to be a champion again?”
“Kind of like I cheated,” I whispered to him.
“No, he cheated,” Mase said, nodding to Eric who was talking with the Elite Gaming officials. “You beat everyone else with pure skill.”
I smiled into his shoulder, ignoring the crush of people surrounding us for a little bit longer. Eventually, the host had security escort me and the other nine final players to the stage so they could do the awards.
The host gave a quick speech, then handed out smaller trophies and prizes to the rest of the top ten. Finally, he turned to me.
“On behalf of Elite Gaming, congratulations on your win.” He handed me a ridiculously sized trophy and a giant check, then he surprised me by pulling out a Valor Legion jersey with my name on it. “Valor Legion, one of the premium sponsors of this event, would like to make an announcement.”
Before I could say anything, Heath Cowen—Valor’s front man—strode out onto the stage and took the microphone.
“I hear congratulations are in order. Taryn Levine, aka our own Taytertot, is recently engaged to hockey star Mason Black. Hopefully, those winnings will help with the wedding cost.” The audience laughed, and he continued.
“We’re happy for Taytertot, but we’re happier for ourselves since we get to announce that she’s joining our team of top esports athletes.
She’ll be the first female gamer we’ve added to our ranks, and we think she’ll be a fantastic supplement to our high-level competitive gaming organization—”
I set the trophy and check on the floor and marched over to grab the microphone from him.
“Actually, there’s been some confusion. I’ll be donating my winnings to STEM and Sports, a local non-profit that supports girls in sports and science.
You can find a link to their website on my channel Taytertot Plays if you want to join me in donating.
As for Valor Legion, I’m declining your offer.
Working with an organization that prioritizes sensational gossip rather than the skills of their players is like knowing the game map in advance. It’s not very fun.”
Heath paled, and I smiled slowly. “I want to send a sincere thank you to all the fans out there watching, especially the ones who supported me competing again. It’s been a thrill thanks to you.”
I handed him back the microphone and picked up my trophy and check again, waving at the crowd.
Heath adopted a huge fake grin. “Valor Legion also wants to thank everyone for coming out and supporting the athletes. We’ll see you at the Citadel World Cup.”
I guessed he’d had a different ending speech planned, but I didn’t care. My channel would benefit from this appearance, and I was happy to be able to support an organization I actually cared about.
We posed for a few more photos with Heath stiff beside me, then I headed straight for Mase at the front of the crowd. My bag was slung over his shoulder, and it looked tiny next to his giant body.
He took the check from me and awkwardly wedged it against his side. “Are we taking this home?’
I laughed. “No, I’ll leave it here somewhere. This one doesn’t have the banking info, so it’s not valid. They’ll cut me a normal sized check and mail it. Let’s get out of here.”
Leaving took twice as long as when we came in because now everyone wanted to talk to me.
I tried to be polite—fans were the base of my business after all—but I was fried.
I’d been nervous about so many things running up to this.
Now that our plan had worked, my body wasn’t sure what to do with all the excess adrenaline.
Mase created a path, and we made it out the double doors before a deep female voice calling my name got my attention. She didn’t use my gamer tag—she used my real name.
“Taryn? Taryn Levine?” A short, very blonde woman in her mid-thirties waved at me from an alcove next to the doors.
Several other women gathered behind her, all staring at me. They didn’t seem hostile, more quietly excited.
I moved closer with Mase at my side, avoiding the crowd trying to push past me. “Yes?”
The tiny woman in the front grinned. “I’m Ilona David. I contacted you about potentially joining Queensguard. We wanted to see in person how you’d perform, and I have to say, you were impressive.”
Understanding dawned. I’d been taking part in a try-out after all. I hadn’t had the chance to do much digging into this group, but they seemed eager to talk now.
“Thanks. I admit I was at least partially fueled by spite.”
“The best fuel,” Ilona agreed with a nod.
“We were on the fence, but after seeing your skills and the way you handled those Valor assholes, I want you on the team. It’s your choice, of course, but you should know we plan to go to the Citadel World Cup and kick their asses.
I assume you’ll want to get to know us before you make any decisions.
Why don’t you come to dinner with us and we can answer any questions you might have? ”
She glanced past me at Mase. “Your giant fiancé can come too.”
I sent him a questioning look. Andrew and Mom were waiting up for us. Not to mention Mase’s aversion to spending time with people he didn’t know. If he wanted to head home, I could always meet up with these ladies later.
Mase answered for me. “We’d love to join you.”
She didn’t immediately dismiss him once she secured the commitment, which impressed me. Valor had only ever shown interest in Mase as a potential for publicity. Ilona’s eyes sparkled as she looked him up and down.
“I’ve heard of you. My niece is a big fan. College hockey’s golden goalie. What’s your hand eye coordination like? I’ll bet you eat at hockey video games…” Ilona asked four more questions before she stopped to take a breath, and Mase looked like he might be in over his head.
I interrupted Ilona to snag Mase’s arm. “I need to put my stuff in the truck real quick. Can you unlock it?”
“Want me to go with you?” He hit the unlock button on his key fob, and I heard the distinctive beep beep of his truck from where we stood.
I studied the parking lot, lit with pools of light from overhead. “Nah, I’ll be right back.”
He reluctantly handed me my giant check and bag before turning back to my potential new teammates and telling Ilona that yes, he had all his teeth.
I grinned and jogged toward the truck with my bag.
The cool air dried the sweat on my back, but something about the stillness in the parking lot made me slow down once I entered the rows of cars.
I walked the last few steps to Mase’s truck and reached for the door, half expecting a monster to jump out.
Nothing happened.
I shook my head. Stupid. I chucked the check into the bed of his truck to be dealt with later.
We’d need to remember to get rid of it before trying to drive back to Addison.
The darkness illuminated with the interior light as I tossed my trophy and bag into the backseat, hit the lock button, and shut the door.
Just because my last competition ended in an assault didn’t mean I would always be assaulted.
My brain wasn’t convinced and ramped up the adrenaline as if I were still playing Citadel. I couldn’t see the group of people waiting on me from behind the rows of cars, but I could hear laughter somewhere. I wasn’t alone.
I checked my pocket then groaned when I realized I’d left my panic button in my bag. Now that really was stupid. Mase would have to unlock it again for me. I turned to jog back to the arena entrance but stopped short when a shadow separated from the minivan in front of me.