Tactical Heart

by S. K. Rose

  I snort out a laugh. This asshole thinks he’s funny.

  RedWyrm: LOL. Shut up.

  KarnageKing13: You ready for tomorrow?

  RedWyrm: As ready as I’ll ever be. You?

  KarnageKing13: It’s been a little easier to prepare without getting killed every few seconds.

  RedWyrm: Don’t be so dramatic.

  KarnageKing13: Does this mean my punishment is finally over?

  RedWyrm: Yeah, you’re off the hook.

  KarnageKing13: It’s because I sexed you so good, huh?

  I shake my head at the screen. Cockiest damn nerd I swear…

  RedWyrm: You’re an idiot.

  KarnageKing13: I’ve missed you.

  My fingers freeze over the keyboard. He missed me.

  RedWyrm: I’ve missed you, too.

  KarnageKing13: Dinner, tomorrow night?

  RedWyrm: Kane…

  KarnageKing13: We’ll celebrate the win, no matter which one of us it is.

  RedWyrm: And if neither of us win?

  KarnageKing13: Hah! Have you seen the scoreboard lately? They don’t stand a chance, and you know it. This is between you and me, baby.

  He’s right, we’ve been dominating with our kills.

  RedWyrm: Goodnight, Kane.

  KarnageKing13: Night, Freckles. Give ‘em hell, beautiful.

  I click out of the game and press my palm to my chest. My heart is in a frenzy, and I haven’t even seen him yet. I shouldn’t have gotten online. I shouldn’t have talked to him. Now my thoughts are in a tailspin, and I don’t know how to make them stop.

  I have to win this fucking competition, and I can’t do that with Kane stomping around my mind and pulling my concentration away. Hitting the shortcut keys to open my voice chat program, I sigh a breath of relief when I see Wren is online.

  I need a friend, someone who doesn’t cloud my judgement to tell me what the hell I’m going to do. As soon as I enter the chat room, his voice is in my ear.

  “Long time no hear, Red.”

  “Yeah, it’s been a busy couple of weeks with the semester ending and getting ready for the competition,” I admit. I’m such a lousy friend. I’ve hardly been on to talk to him between running dungeons and studying for tests.

  “I’m just teasin’ ya.” I relax when I hear the amusement in his voice. “So, it’s tomorrow.”

  My stomach does another flip, and I’m officially nauseous.

  “I don’t think I can do this,” I whisper into the mic after looking and making sure that Nessa has her earbuds in and can’t hear me.

  I hear a grunt. “What the hell do you mean? Of course you can.”

  I bite my lip as all my fears bubble to the surface. I’ve spent a month pushing them down, and they won’t be contained any longer.

  “I can’t do this, Wren. I’m a nobody, a girl trying to play in a boy’s world. He’s going to be there; he’s in my head, and I know how badly he wants it. I’m going to choke, or worse, roll over and let him win because I was a dumbshit and caught feelings for him. Every damn time I see my mom, I feel her disappointment drilling into me. I need this win, but I’m fucking scared, and all I want is to run away.”

  Tears are streaming down my face as I finally get the words off my chest. I hold my body still, refusing to let my body tremble and give myself away to Nessa. I love her, but she just wouldn’t understand that a night of shots or a long bubble bath isn’t going to solve all my problems.

  “Red.” His voice is sharp and demanding. “You can do this. You are a seriously awesome gamer—and no, not just ‘for a girl’ either.” I smile imagining him doing exaggerated air quotes. “You’ve made TH your bitch, and you are going to rock that competition tomorrow and break records doing it. So, fuck Kane, fuck your mom, fuck everyone else and go in there with your head held high because you deserve to do this for you and only you.”

  I bite my lip with a grin, using my oversized shirt to wipe away a tear. “That’s a lot of fucking you’re asking of me,” I tease.

  “Yeah, well, a good fuck is always the answer.”

  I cackle and shake my head. “Thanks for the pep talk. I’m still a total mess but that helped.”

  “I hope so, I’m gonna have to be a jerk for like a year to get that ‘nice’ taste out of my mouth.” He makes a retching sound, and I roll my eyes. “Now, there’s just one little change I think you need to make to that TH toon of yours…”

  “What’s wrong with my toon?” I ask. Opening up the game, I look over my elf decked out in legendary black gear. I look intimidating as hell, perfect.

  “It’s time you stop hiding behind ‘the cock’, my friend.”

  I snort out a laugh as I realize the implication of his words. “You’re right. If I’m going to do this, I need to do it right. No more cock hiding.” Clicking open my character’s information panel, I make the switch from male to female. I give RedWyrm long fiery red hair and an awesome pair of tits—for authenticity, of course.

  My stomach clenches with fear, but I take a deep breath and release it nice and slow. I’ve pretended to be a guy in my games for so long that it feels like I’ve been stripped naked by switching to my true gender. It’s silly, the gaming world is so much more accepting of girl gamers than ever before, and yet...I felt safe when everyone else thought I was just one of the guys. I know I will have to deal with the constant flirting, guys not taking me seriously like Kane once did, but for the first time, I’m okay with it.

  I’m Scarlett Mavis, I’m good with games and oh shit—I have a vagina too. Come at me world! If you have a problem, I’ll show you exactly where my lady balls are.

  “That’s my girl!” Wren whoops with approval. “Okay, it’s late, you better get some sleep. Big day tomorrow, and I want to log in and see your gamertag splattered all over social media.”

  I groan. “Fine, but don’t you dare watch, that will make me even more nervous.”

  EkoTek will be live streaming the competition on their website, so people from all over the world will be able to tune in. No pressure though.

  “Better believe I’ll be watching and rooting you on the whole damn way.”

  When I shut off my computer and set my headset on the desk, I take another calming breath.

  I can’t predict what’s going to happen tomorrow, who’s going to win or lose, but there’s two things I know for certain.

  This is going to be one hell of a competition.

  And I’m falling for Kane Decker.

  22

  Kane

  The auditorium is buzzing with excitement.

  Rival players are getting their stations set up, making last minute changes to their armor. There are only about twenty-five players here and another twenty-five at a different location. EkoTek’s massive headquarters is located in the heart of the city. They are really big on giving back to the community that helped get them to where they are, which is why they made the competition localized.

  Computers are set up in a U shape, facing a large projector screen. There are two officials from EkoTek drinking coffee and laughing at a table to the side. Another official is sitting at a computer so massive, so beautiful, that I have to wipe a little drool from my chin. He’ll be monitoring the competition, focusing on the action and projecting it up on the wall for the judges to make sure there’s no cheating or prohibited weapons being used.

  I look around at the faces of my competitors and wonder if maybe Scarlett was right, that neither of us will win. These people, young and old, look deadly focused, as if they’ve been preparing their whole life for this day.

  I pop my knuckles and shake it off.

  Now is not the time to start doubting myself. After game night, I buckled down hard. If I wasn’t studying or eating, I was plugged into Tactical Heart and busting my ass to find a weapon that plays to my strengths, to improve my reflexes, and to acquire one of the best armor sets in the game. Without Scarlett taking me out every twenty minutes, I was able to stay laser focus
ed, and now, I’m more ready than ever.

  I think my girl is going to be surprised by how much I’ve improved since last time she brutally murdered me.

  Doing another scan of the competition, I glance toward the opening door and smile when I see a head of fiery red hair beneath a black ball cap. As she moves around the room, finding the computer labeled with her username, a dozen sets of eyes follow her. Being one of the few girls in this sausage fest, she sticks out like a sore thumb.

  Her hair falls in loose waves over a lime green shirt that reads “Game Over Bitch.” Her black leggings show off the perfect curve of her ass, and I find myself wanting to punch every guy who I catch staring.

  Hold the phone.

  What if she wore those skin-tight leggings in an attempt to distract the multitude of nerds in this room that still consider the female gamer to be a mythical creature? I whistle low under my breath.

  She’s a sexy, evil genius.

  Finding her computer, she sets down her bag and takes a seat. She scowls when she looks up to find me directly across from her.

  With my palms facing up, I shrug.

  Not my call, sweetheart.

  Her eyes roll in annoyance as if she can read my thoughts. She pulls out a neon pink headset (are those cat ears on them?) and a matching controller from her bag and sets them by her keyboard.

  In a sea of muted colors, tense shoulders, and broody faces, Scarlett is a bright light in the dark. She chews on a twizzler with a carefree smile on her face, but I can see through the act. Her knee is bouncing, her fingers are tapping on the desk, and there are dark circles under her eyes.

  She’s just as nervous, if not more so, than I am.

  But even with the fear I see flickering in her eyes, she still looks strangely at home—as if she’s drawing strength from the electronics that surround her. Gaming is in her blood, it comes easy to her, and even with all the pressure of needing this win, she’s in her element.

  Admittedly, it’s pretty fucking hot.

  Wiggling uncomfortably in my chair, I adjust my pants and force myself to look away. Mother of dragons, I have a boner, and the girl is just sitting there for crying out loud. The competitor next to me clears his throat as he looks over at me with a soured look.

  “Oh, like you’ve never had a gaming boner,” I bite out.

  The burly man opens his mouth to argue, but snaps it shut and nods in agreement with a shrug.

  “That’s what I thought, now focus on your screen instead of me, huh?” I snap. He raises an eyebrow but returns his attention to his computer.

  Gamers, I’ve learned, often ballsy behind a screen, don’t actually want to engage with real life conflict.

  “Karnage.”

  I whip my head up to find Scarlett standing behind my screen. I smile up at her. “RedWyrm.”

  Her gaze transfers to the burly guy beside me. I look over and find him staring at her with his jaw almost to the floor.

  “You’re RedWyrm?” he asks in awe.

  She nods. “That’s me. Nice to meet you.” She holds out her hand, and he gives it a quick shake. I suppress a laugh as I watch her carefully swipe her palm on her leggings. I would bet one hundred bucks this guy has gross sweaty hands.

  “You’re...I mean.” His eyes are bulging out of his head. “In the game, you are a... but look at you, and you’re actually a…” I half expect smoke to start coming out of his ears at how hard his brain is working to process right now.

  Using my hands to hide my mouth from Scarlett, I glare at him. “What the hell did I tell you?” I hiss. His eyes snap back to his screen with a grunt.

  Scarlett’s shaking with silent laughter. “Be nice.”

  My eyebrow arches in defiance. “You gonna make me?”

  “Yeah, right after I kick your ass,” she challenges.

  I bark out a laugh. “I’ve gotten a lot better, Freckles, this might be a little harder than you think.”

  Her fingers go to her chin. “Oh, so you’re gonna last twenty minutes instead of just five?”

  The corner of my mouth twitches. “You know I can last a lot longer than that.”

  A blush creeps up her neck. “You’re an idiot.”

  I laugh. “I need to get in the zone. Stop fraternizing with the enemy.” I shoo her away with my hand.

  She looks over her shoulder and then back to me. “Yeah, guess I should get all set up.” She gets a few steps away before I call out her name.

  She stops and turns around with a quizzical look on her face.

  “Give ‘em hell.”

  She gives me a dazzling smile before she returns to her seat.

  We have about thirty minutes until the competition begins, so I grab a protein bar out of my bag and look over the armor I have equipped, making sure it’s only the best of the best of what I own. If I’m going to make any last-minute changes now is the time.

  “Scarlett?”

  A hesitant voice calls out over the noise and chatter of players and officials. Snapping my eyes up, I see a guy who looks a bit out of place in a sea of geeks and nerds. He’s covered in tattoos, has long black hair, and piercings on his lips and up his ears. A chain hangs across one of his legs, and he’s sporting some wicked looking boots.

  I mean, anyone can be a gamer, but you don’t normally see guys all decked in punk gear at a computer much. The ones I’ve known were all too busy trying to become rock stars.

  The punk is staring across the room at Scarlett

  She’s looking back at him, confusion scrawled across her face.

  I get to my feet. I don’t know who the hell this guy is, but she clearly doesn’t know him. I don’t like the way he’s eyeing her, and I’m about to drag his ass out of here if he doesn’t back off.

  “Red?” he calls, this time with a small shrug.

  Her face transforms. Clapping a hand over her mouth, she laughs, and a wide smile splits across her face.

  Every muscle in my body clenches.

  Without a word, she runs into his arms.

  She. Runs. Into. His. Fucking. Arms.

  Like this is some fucking romance movie, and he’s just professed his love.

  He spins her in his arms as she giggles with excitement. Everyone around me is talking, the whole building is fucking loud, so no matter how hard I strain, I can’t hear a word they’re saying. All I see is the happiness in her eyes, the way she touches his shoulder and runs her fingers through his hair.

  Evil genius was the most accurate title I could have crowned her with. Does she think she can psych me out by bringing her little boyfriend or fuck buddy to the competition?

  I crack my knuckles and sit back down. My eyes turn to my screen, and I refuse to let them look away, not wanting to see the way she touches him for one more second.

  She wanted to throw me off my game.

  But baby you just warmed me up.

  Now I won’t have a second guilty thought when I destroy her.

  No. Mercy.

  23

  Scarlett

  What the hell is going on? I don’t get nervous when it comes to games. Much like a bull, I lower my head, paw at the ground, and charge forward without a second thought.

  Until now.

  I can’t stop fidgeting. My mom’s disapproving scowl, Wren’s encouraging words, Kane’s warm smile, all whirl around in my mind. I keep trying to hold on to the way I felt right after talking with Wren, ready to take on the world, but it keeps slipping through my grasp. I’m a hot fucking mess, and I can’t afford to be.

  “Scarlett!”

  Irritated at being pulled away from the computer when I’m trying so hard to focus, I whip my head toward whoever’s calling my name. Standing across the room, staring blatantly in my direction, is a guy who looks like he just walked out of a Misfits concert. Dark hair hides part of his face, he’s covered with tattoos and wearing black from head to toe. I don’t recognize him at all, and he’s not someone I would easily forget.

  With a til
t of my head, I rise steadily to my feet. Before I can awkwardly point to myself and double check I heard him right, he calls out once more.

  “Red?” he yells, cupping his hands around his mouth.

  Red?

  There’s only one person on the planet who calls me that, and there’s no way…

  “Wren?” I question. He can’t possibly hear me with all the noise, but he must be able to read my lips because his mouth suddenly twists into a crooked smile.

  Clamping my hand over my mouth, I squeal like a child on Christmas morning.

  We’ve been online friends since the day I ran home crying with a broken heart from Dylan McFucker. He and all the others in the chat room welcomed me into their circle of misfits and introduced me to the wide world of gaming.

  In all this time, I’ve never seen as much as a picture of him. Until recently, we’ve kept our relationship simple—bullshitting on chat, venting about relationships, and video games. Shit, I figured he might live on the other side of the country. It’s crazy how technology can bring people together and yet keep them so far apart.

  Without another thought, I push my chair out of the way and run over to him. Looking a little nervous and unsure of himself, he opens his arms slowly as he sees me coming. I jump into them with such force that I cause us to do a little spin.

  “Wren!” I gasp. “You’re here. How the hell are you here?” I pat his arm to make sure it’s not some weird daydream.

  “I drove.” He smirks, and I shove his shoulder playfully.