Page 14 of Cyber Revenge

Yes.

Fuck.

I type out a reply. Delete it. Type again.

[Me – 10:44 PM]: Wasn’t supposed to go to both of you.

[Patrick – 10:45 PM]: Not complaining. Jesus, Lydia. I’ll be jerking off to that every night for the rest of my life.

[Patrick – 10:45 PM]: You’re insane. You’re perfect. Fuck.

I drop my phone and bury my face in my hands.

Could’ve been worse.

Could’ve gone to my mom.

Over the next few days, everything shifts.

Trip and I still play. Still message.

But Patrick?

He startedtrying.

Like, really trying.

Dailytexts with good morning notes and playlists.

Flowers are sent to my door.

Not just a bouquet. A full arrangement of deep red roses in a glass vase with a black satin ribbon and a handwritten note.

You’re incredible. I’d treat you like a goddess every fucking day. Just let me.

My stomach flips.

I don’t like flowers. I don’t even like romance that isn’t sarcastic or half-fake. But it isn’t just the gift. It’s the way he said it. The way he acted, like nothing fazes him. Like the video had turned him on instead of scared him off.

I stare at the roses for a long time.

Later that night, we play again. Trip, Patrick, and I. I don’t mention the video. Neither do they.

But Patrick stays closer in-game than usual. Shields me. Flatters me. Talks just a little softer than normal.

And when the match ends, he texts me.

[Patrick]: Let me take you out. Just once. If you don’t like it, I’ll leave you alone. Promise.

I don’t answer right away.

I look at Trip’s messages. The way he makes me feel. The way heownsme without even being in the room.

But Patrick was there too. Steady. Real. Present.

I don’t say yes.

But I don’t say no either.

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