Page 29 of A Geek Girl's Guide to Kissing a Video Gamer
Chapter 20
Standing with the crowd at the end of the day, waiting for the closing ceremony of the exhibition, Xavier forced himself to remain calm. His idea had been to get Sadie to meet with Buck, Cinnamon, and Jamison at a restaurant, get Buck to confess, and listen in on the conversation. The Guardian Group—the big dudes who Cinnamon had introduced them to the night before—had nixed that idea, saying it had been tried before and Buck got spooked and disappeared. They didn’t want to risk it happening again.
Xavier smiled to himself. Once they’d left, Sadie had commented that she liked her men not so…beefy. Sure, they could pick her upDirty Dancingstyle, but she liked her men with chafed thumbs from playing video games.
Now that the Guardian Group knew Buck was ditching Cinnamon for a new target, they were going to monitor her bank account and follow him as he left the dock.
“Are you always this deep in thought?” Xavier whirled around to find Harry and Griffin grinning like a pair of Cheshire cats. Griffin elbowed Harry. “Assuming it’s him thinking and not indigestion.”
Xavier rolled his eyes. “How long have you two been in town?”
Harry laughed. “The night before this started. We were hoping you’d be able to introduce us to Sadie Baylor. We need autographs, man.”
“Shut up.” Xavier shook his head and faced the stage again. “You two almost ruined everything with your big mouths.”
“How?” Griffin asked.
Crossing his arms over his chest, Xavier replied, “Her ex heard you talking about us that first night. Why would you even do that in public where someone could hear you?”
“We weren’t thinking anyone would be listening in. We wanted to have your back in case you need us.” Harry shrugged.
Griffin nodded in agreement. “Exactly.”
“Or you wanted to spy on me.” Xavier’s mouth dropped open. “You did, didn’t you?” The parking-lot kiss… “Did you see me kiss her?”
Their eyes widened, and Harry punched him in the arm. “You kissed her? Way to go, man. That’s awesome.”
“Xavier’s got game.” Griffin wiggled his eyebrows.
Before Xavier could respond, a large projection screen lowered from the ceiling and flickered to life. What was going on? Why did they… The entire thought trailed off as Sadie and Buck appeared on the screen in a room that looked like a waiting room backstage.
“What’s happening?” asked Harry.
Without taking his eyes off the screen, Xavier shrugged. “No clue.”
Shouldering the wall, Sadie set down a large portfolio and crossed her arms over her chest as she put distance between her and Buck. Even from where Xavier stood, he could feel the tension building between them. He could imagine how Sadie felt.
“What’s in the portfolio?” asked Buck.
“Why should I tell you? You don’t care, remember?” Her curt reply was razor-sharp.
Buck closed a little of the distance. “Because you’re controlling partner, not sole partner, which means I have a right to know.”
“Xavier is coming out with a new game, and I’m going to surprise him with a few concept drawings when he announces it.”
“Why?”
Rolling her eyes, she straightened. “Not that it’s any of your business, but
he’s sweet and funny. I don’t think he knew I had a crush on him back when I was gaming. Before I could tell him, I found out he was dating someone.”
Xavier’s mouth dropped open as Griffin and Harry both elbowed him. Sadie Baylor had crushed on him back then? Him? Scrawny, geeky, glasses-wearing him?
“Dude.” Harris chuckled. “She liked you.”
Buck grunted. “Yeah, he is your type. Stupid and gullible. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You two make a great couple.”
Her mouth dropped open. “He’s not stupid or gullible. He’s kind and considerate. He doesn’t put me down or tell me I need to lose weight to have value. He’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”
