Chapter 173
The comment section blew up.
TOMG that voice—I’m in lovell
[Too good to be true! Bro, I’m all yours!)
(Aim I the only one who thinks that these two would make a perfect couple?)
[Don’t start shipping them–she’s already married…)
Nelson’s eyes darkened as he read the chat comments.
Paxton laughed and then chimed in, “Yup, she’s already married! Plus, my brother’s got someone in his heart already?
[Someone special? Ughhh, why does that sound lowkey romantic?]
Paxton grinned while gaming and said, “Yeah, Nelson’s been crushing on a woman for ages, so stop with the wild shipping or you’ll really piss him off.”
Valerie’s heart raced as she asked, “Who are you talking
Paxton said, “Oh, that? Someone in the chat said you and my brother would make a great couple. Total nonsense, right? I mean, come on–you’re already married. And even if you weren’t, Nelson’s crazy about his future wife. There’s no room for anyone else in his heart.”
Valerie’s lips pressed into a tight line as a wave of complex emotions surged within her.
Suddenly, another grenade clattered nearby. Startled, Valerie shouted,
*ch
out! Grenade!”
Nelson was in the middle of reviving her–he saw it too, but did not
Jonah shouted, “Nelson, move! Leave her!”
Paxton glanced at the shrinking zone and shouted, “If we don’t move
But Nelson kept his eyes on Valerie’s on–screen character. It was
Because he knew exactly who sat behind that screen.
Paxton shouted, “Nelson, move! Dive into the water!”
But Nelson remained still. “It’s too late,” he said.
The grenade exploded.
A
now,
die
together! Any more delay and none of us will make it out alive.”
generic model, identical to everyone else’s–yet to him, it was different.
As the smoke cleared, Valerie’s character instantly turned into a loot box, while Nelson’s lay prone on the ground. “Guess we’re dying together,” he said softly.
Paxton and Jonah quickly rushed over and got revenge for them, but hardly anyone was paying attention anymore–the chat was exploding with
comments.
[Ah, that was so swoon–worthy! Nelson is too cool!]
[It’s too late now–just die together!]
[Dying together? Damn, that’s so sweet! My heart can’t take it!]
[Nelson and Valerie, just get together already! Please date!]
1/3
[Stop shipping themi She’s married, people]
Valere had no idea what kind of chaos was unfolding on the screen. But Nelson’s last line sent waves crashing through her heart.
“Valerie, I got your revengel Am I awesome of what?” Paxton bragged with a grin. “Don’t worry I’ll win this one for you too!”
Valerie pressed a hand to her chest to quiet her pounding heart. She was just about to respond when a hand suddenly appeared behind her
Startled, she gasped and jerked upright–only to stumble straight into a man’s embrace.
“It’s me.” Aiden said, his voice tinged with helplessness as he gently removed her headset.
Valerie’s heart kept pounding as she stared at Alden, still shaken, Suddenly remembering Nelson on the other end of the game, she instinctively pushed Aiden away and blurted out, “Y–you scared me to death!”
Aiden casually placed the headset on the table. “What are you so afraid of? You were so into the game, you didn’t even notice me coming in.”
Valerie instinctively glanced at her computer screen–Paxton and Jonah were still running, while her character had long since turned into a loot box,
Nelson was nowhere to be seen on the screen.
Seeing this, Valerie secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Even though Valerie knew there was no way Aiden could ever find her heart race wildly.
Out Nelc
was on the other end, just the thought of Nelson being right there made
Valerie instinctively shielded the computer screen behind her, rested her hands on Aiden’s shoulders, and said, “Just playing a game, that’s all.”
“Oh?” Aiden said in surprise.
‘So she plays such games too? And from the looks of it, her stats aren at all. Aiden thought.
He had absolutely no idea Valerie had this hobby.
“It’s a popular shooting game,” Valerie said quickly, worried Aiden might not recognize it. “Just messing around. Do you need the computer back? Here.”
Aiden shook his head with a gentle smile. “No, go ahead and play,” he said, glancing at the screen. “I’ll just watch you play.”
“My avatar died,” Valerie said, wrinkling her nose. “Have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet,” Aiden leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. “How about you cook me something… downstairs?”
Valerie’s face flushed as she instinctively recoiled, shooting him an embarrassed glare. ‘God, my mic is still on!” she thought, mortified.
Paxton exclaimed, “Damn! Valerie’s husband’s got some serious game!”
Jonah asked, “What was that?”
[LMAO what kind of legendary convo is this? They’re too cute!]
[That has to be her husband, right? OMG, his voice/is amazing. Sounds so mature and hot–totally my type.]
[They sound super in love.]
[Whoa, that got spicy…]
And on the other side of the screen, Nelson had not thought much of it at first and took it at face value.
2/3
TASHEET OG OUT
“What are you imagining?” Nelson’s voice turned cold, laced with evident imitation. “It’s just cooking him a meal. How did your mind end up in the gutter?”
Paxton felt a jolt of panic. He quickly said, “Come on, Nelson, it was just a joket”
Tis Nelson actually mad right now?)
[Why so serious? It was just a joke, no one actually meant anything weird.)
[They’re just classic keyboard warriors. Ignore them, Nelson)
Nelson’s such a straight–laced boomer–so cutell
Meanwhile, Valerie and Aiden had no idea what was happening on the other side.
Valerie shot Aiden a glare, who raised an eyebrow. “What’s with that look?” he asked.
Valerie’s face burned even hotter. “My mic is still on–those kids can hear everything!”
Aiden glanced at the computer. “Kids playing games? Go do your homework, kids.”
Paxton quickly typed: [No way! We just started–let Valerie continue playing!]
Aiden glanced at the screen and said, “She’s not available.”
Valerie glanced over and said, “Alright, I’ll go cook you some noodles. I’ll log off the game then.”
“Let me have a go,” Aiden said.
“Do you even know how to play?” Valerie asked.
“Let me try,” Aiden murmured, stealing another quick kiss. “I’m starving.”
Valerie glanced nervously at the computer, her heart racing. “Alright… go ahead and try. But everyone–watch your words. Especially you,” she added.
Paxton immediately assumed Valerie was talking about him. With a cheeky grin, he said, “Don’t worry, Valerie–I promise I won’t tease your husband!”
But only Nelson knew–she was warning him.
Valerie wanted him to watch his mouth and to stay out of Aiden’s sight.
A sharp pang of ache twisted in Nelson’s heart, and he let out a bitter, self–mocking laugh.
