“Everyone, this is Eva—” Jason started.
“One of the best mechanics out there,” Indigo interrupted, white teeth flashing as they praised my gameplay. “She's a Brit main.”
I felt my face heat. “I get by…” eager to get the attention off me as I felt eyes burning into my skin like a physical brand. I turned to one of the other girls, giving her a cursory look while I tried to find something to say to move the conversation away from me. After a few moments, I settled on, “I like your top.”
And it wasn’t a lie, even though we couldn’t be dressed any differently. She had on a baggy t-shirt with a band logo I didn’t recognize on it, and equally baggy jeans. It was obvious she went for the ‘no makeup makeup look,’ with just a bit of complexion products and mascara on. She turned to me, her face slightly souring in a way I didn’t expect. “Thanks, I like looking presentable.”
I blinked. “Okay.” I wasn’t sure what else she expected me to say, a little taken aback at her tone.
“You’re Eva_Aft3r, right?” she asked, not bothering to soften the judgment in her voice.
My cheeks warmed. I wasn't used to being recognized in public, and especially not by girls. Though I guessed this was the place for it to happen. Since we were all kind of in the same field… co-workers, but not really. Guilt pinched at me that I didn't recognize her. “Yeah, I am.”
She scoffed before I could ask her name, pairing the noise with a heavy eye roll that made me feel like I would've preferred to sit with Indigo and deal with whatever weirdness was going on between us, rather than continue talking to whoever this was. “That’s what I thought. You do that other streaming service, right? Slip N’ Slide or whatever?”
Annoyance crawled its way through me as her problem became clear.
Fucking prude.
“So what if I do?” I asked, my tone clipped.
She shrugged, like she wasn't being a twat acting like sex work was something to be ashamed of. “I’m just surprised to see you at something like this. It’s not like you’re a… serious gamer, you know? It's just a side gig to funnel incels into your pipeline, right?”
“Considering the kind of reach and audience growth she has, about double yours, I'd say she’s a pretty serious streamer. Wouldn’t you?”
Indigo’s deep voice jolted something inside me as it came from behind, way closer than expected. I turned to find them at my shoulder, looking down at the woman with a scowl that warned they weren't impressed.
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach again, and I reminded myself not to be too flattered. They were just a good guy looking out for their friend.
So what iflooking outjust happened to come with the whisper of an alpha bark?
She pursed her lips. “It was an innocent question, you’re so sensitive.”
“Switch with me,” the alpha demanded, motioning to their seat. “I want to sit with myfriend.”
She didn't argue, hopping up to move seats, eager to scurry away like a dog with its tail between its legs.
Indigo took her vacated seat, the light of the screen illuminating their features.
I breathed in sharply, regretting it instantly as the achingly sweet scent of maple syrup flooded my nose, undercut by the subtle savory note of melted butter.
It should be illegal to be so tempting.
Their hair looked like it'd been cut recently, the edges of the fade clean, and their curls on top tight to their head. Indi dragged their hand over them now, offering a smile that, if I didn’t know better, I’d think was shy. “Hope you don't mind, didn't seem like she was being very nice.”
“I don't know what her problem is,” I said quietly to them, not wanting to draw more attention to the situation.
They shrugged. “A lot of people in this industry are jealous. And they like to take it out on people they see being successful.”
I felt my cheeks redden slightly—even the smallest bit of praise from them was enough to make me feel embarrassed. “I do okay,” I said lightly.
Awkward silence fell on us again. This was exactly what I was trying to avoid. Part of me wished that girl would come back and start an even bigger scene. And another part of me, a bigger part, wished everyone would leave so we could talk for real.
How did we let things get so messed up between us that I’d rather be slut-shamed than try to avoid their eye? Indigo might've been one of the most lighthearted people I’d ever met, but there was something so deep and thoughtful about their gaze. Like they saw right through me.
Noticed too much.
They cleared their throat, bringing my attention back to them. “So… how're you doing? It’s been a while.”
