Game Over

Kai's standing there, rain pouring down his face, his hair soaked, his shirt clinging to his body, and his eyes-those same eyes I'm constantly lost in-are red, full of tears.

"Eli, I need you," he says, his voice desperate. "I don't care what anyone thinks or what they say."

Before I can react, he pulls me close by the waist, and the tears I've been holding back finally fall, mixing with the raindrops on my face.

"I want you. I'll stop streaming. Hell, I'll even stop gaming if that's what it takes to have you," he says, his breath shaky.

I swallow hard and shake my head, feeling the weight of his words.

"No, Kai. You can't do that," I say softly, my voice trembling. "It's your job. It's who you are."

I close my eyes, trying to hold onto whatever composure I have left. His touch is the only warmth in the storm, and I can't bring myself to push it away.

I open my eyes slowly, and I step back, breaking free from his grasp. I see the flicker of hurt in his eyes as I distance myself.
...

Eliana, a nail tech living in Vermont, is content with the simple life she lives, not asking for much-just peace. But everything shifts when she bumps into someone, without realizing she'll lead him to him-the one person who throws her off her game.
Being thrown into a tight-knit friend group and unexpectedly pulled into the world of video games she'd long left behind, Eliana finds herself falling in love not only with the late-night streams and gaming, but also with the same man who was nothing but cold to her, but little did she know, falling for him was easy.
But staying-when the world starts watching-is someone else entirely, especially if they're rooting against you.