Page 65 of Even Beneath the Stars

"Hey, Xavier?" Maggie's voice has lost its playful edge. "Can I talk to you for a second? In the hall?"

I glance over my shoulder, caught off guard by her serious tone. "Uh, sure." I ruffle Finn's hair. "Think you can handle these bad guys solo for a minute?"

"Yeah!" He doesn't even look up from the screen, totally absorbed in the game.

I follow Maggie into the hallway, the arched ceiling towering above us. The contrast between the neon glow of the Games Room and the dim corridor makes me blink. Something about her expression sets me on edge—it's not her usual sass or even annoyance. This is different.

"What's up?" I lean against the wall, trying to appear casual despite the way my heart rate picks up. The last time a girl pulled me aside like this, it was Piper Shen pleading her case about maturity and manning up and 'growing up already' and how apparently the virtues of monogamous relationships and commitment are linked to all of those things. Then listing seemingly every girl at SH Prep's disappointment in me and my refusal to at least give a real relationship a shot. Like she was acting on all their behalf as some sort of spokesperson or something.

No idea why any of this would even come to mind in relation to a conversation with Maggie LeClair, but there it fucking is.

Maggie shifts closer, her voice low. "Don't let Finn win this one."

"What? Why?" I straighten, wincing as my ribs protest, confused at the direction of her thoughts. "He's five."

"Exactly. And you've let him win every single game tonight."

"Becausehe's five," I repeat, like she's missing the obvious.

She shakes her head. "Remember what I said in the Observatory? About boundaries? This is the same thing." She’s turning my fun zone into a life lesson, and I want to resent her for it.

The alternative is too much like Finn yelling at me yesterday that he hates my guts.

"You're not doing him any favors by making everything easy," she presses.

"It's just a few arcade games, in—"

"It's more than that." Her eyes lock with mine. "Don't you want him to be the kind of guy people want on their team? Or that other kids want to play games with without worrying he'll pitch a fit the second he doesn't come in first place?"

The words hit hard. I can't keep the images my mind conjures of Finn getting shunned, standing in some gym alone, last kid picked in dodgeball or hockey or whatever—and it hurts. It's not what I want for my brother. I want him to be the guy surrounded by friends, the one people are drawn to and include in their adventures. Hell, friendships are what got me through some of the toughest times.

"Shit." I run a hand through my hair, nodding once.

“Right now, sure. But like…” She gestures toward the Games Room with a tiny shrug. “If no one ever beats him, he'll never learn how tonot be the sorest loser ever. You want him to be that kid? The one who throws a fit because someone else scored higher?”

I let out a slow breath. Okay. That actually hits.

“He’s got to learn that not winning is normal,” she adds, softer this time. “And that it doesn’t mean he’s not awesome. Just… not first. And that’s fine.”

"You're right. I know that, but…" I glance back at Finn. "Man. I hate seeing him disappointed."

She nudges my arm. "Focus on the end game. How letting him lose without a parachute is the only way to let him figure out how to land."

I nod slowly. "Yeah." A smirk tugs at my lips as I look up. "But just so you're aware… this little chat." I motion between us. "I was thinking about letting you win, but now…" I push my hands in my pockets, rocking back on my heels. "You're going down, LeClair."

Her eyes spark with challenge. "In your dreams, Rockwell."

Chapter Twenty-Six

Xavier

Iwin the tournament by three measly points, and my ribs are screaming. I want to say I would've crushed them both if I wasn't so banged up, but watching Maggie's skills during our matches makes me think I'd just be lying to myself.

The real test comes during my final game against Finn. Every fiber of my being wants to throw the match, especially when I see his bottom lip quiver as my score climbs higher. But Maggie's words echo in my head, and I force myself to keep playing to maintain the highest score.

The instant my victory flashes across the screen, cementing my winning status for the whole tournament, Finn hurls his controller at the ground.

"NO!" He stamps his foot, face turning red. "You cheated! I always win at this! Ialwayswin, Xave!"

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