Page 30 of Cyber Revenge

Patrick stands beside me in all black. He doesn’t wear a badge or a smile. Just that controlling calm, the same one he uses when my chat gets too rowdy, or I mention Trip in passing.

“Security boyfriend,” someone whispers behind a booth.

“God, he’s hot.”

“I think I follow him, he’s that guy on TikTok with the arms.”

He loves it.

I watch his ego inflate with every passing compliment. He adjusts the collar of his shirt, tucks his shades onto his head,and stays close enough to look like he belongs, but far enough that he doesn’t seem possessive.

At least not to them.

The moment happens quickly.

A female streamer I vaguely remember from Discord comes up to say “hi.”Raye. Pretty. Big following. The kind of girl who looks good in brand deals and better in gaming chairs.

“LydieLIVE,” she says, too loudly, pulling me into a hug. “God, I haven’t seen you since,” she trails off trying to remember the last meeting we had, forever ago.

I fake a smile. “Hey, yeah! Nice to see you again.”

Patrick steps closer.

Raye’s eyes flick over him like she’s scanning a menu.

“You brought backup?” she asks, smirking.

Patrick gives her one of those slow, devastating once-overs and holds out his hand. “Patrick.”

They shake. Her hand lingers.

“So this is the man everyone’s thirsting over,” she purrs.

Patrick doesn’t move. Doesn’t look at me. Just smiles like he’s enjoying being recognized.

Like he wants to be seen.

I reach for his arm, and he pulls away, leaning into Raye.

“Hug?” He asks.

She jumps up and down, clapping. “Yes, please!” She squeals.

I sit there, my eyes bulging out.

“Ummm. I’m going to go over there,” I say, pointing to the back of my area.

I need to get away from people right now.

I walk off, seeing him hug her in my peripheral as I turn, the hug lasts so long, his hands trail so low. I’m not the jealous type. I’m really not. But that just feels wrong.

I hear his footsteps running up behind me before I feel his hand grip my shoulder, spinning me around to him.

“Oh, come on,” Patrick says, an annoyed look on his face. “Don’t be so dramatic. I’d never leave you for someone I just met,” he says, still smiling at Raye. “Especially in front of you.”

My stomach twists.

The words are light. Teasing. But the undercurrent cuts like glass, and they come out of fucking nowhere. When did I say he was going to leave me for her?

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