Page 19 of Now Streaming

“You’re on.”

Min studied the other demos around them, trying to figure out the best choice, already feeling the fire of competition rising again when something flashing out of the corner of her eye had her freezing.

A glimpse of blonde hair. A medium build. A band T-shirt she knew too well.

Alex was here.

He was gone before she could really register his face, but the damage was done, ice freezing her veins as her mind raced with questions.How long had he been there? Had he seen her?

“What is it?” Hayden was talking to her, and it took a moment to release herself from the panic that had risen at the brief sight of Alex.

With an effort, she shook it off before turning to Hayden, careful to keep her face neutral.

“Nothing, sorry. Thought I saw someone. Let’s check out the shooters.”

She was already moving, in the opposite direction of where Alex had been, not really seeing where she was going, just knowing she had to move. Hayden fell in beside her, not asking any more questions, and she was grateful.

Needing something to take her mind off the panic of seeing Alex, Min asked the question she had been wanting an answer for.

“So what happened that makes you attack people you think are taking your picture?”

The crowd was thinner here, as if they had found a magical pocket that other attendees hadn’t rushed into yet. But even then Hayden glanced around, wanting to make sure people weren’t too close.

“I didn’t attack you,” was his reply.

“You pinned me against an elevator and ransacked my phone.”

She turned to him just in time to see his jaw flex. He really didn’t want to talk about this. But Min felt like she deserved an answer after everything, so she waited.

With an exhale, he started talking. “I was seeing someone last year. Only for a few months, but we were starting to get serious. She wasn’t in the streaming world, but at some point, figured out who I was. We spent a weekend together at Big Bear, and she took a bunch of photos of us together. Cute, couple stuff.”

Min could feel in her stomach what was coming, knew in her bones it was going to be bad. But still, she wasn’t prepared.

“She came over the next week and live-streamed from my house while I was at dinner with my brother. Announced to the world she was going to reveal who the real DeathsHead was, but only to the highest bidder.”

“Holy shit.” The words were out before Min could stop them. Hayden nodded.

“I was tagged pretty early in her stream and raced home. Cut off her feed before she could show too much.”

“I don’t remember seeing anything like that.” Min was a little shocked. DeathsHead was considered a big streaming star, and one of the biggest secrets in the industry was his identity. Even a hint of a reveal would’ve trended on social media for a week.

“I have friends who are pretty good at making things like that disappear, at least when they’re caught fast enough. That, coupled with my lawyers serving her cease and desists, as well as restraining orders, kept the information in check. She didn’t have any following, so even those who saw the broadcast didn’t believe her. She’s not the first one to claim they could ID me.”

Min cleared her throat. “Is that how it ended with her?”

Hayden shrugged. “Mostly. The following week, I got an email from my lawyer saying that he caught someone trying to sell pictures of me to online gaming news sites. They were all from Big Bear, with her. Lawyers shut that down fast.”

Min’s eyes were wide. She couldn’t hide her horror.

“Hayden, that’s awful. I’m so sorry you went through that.”

He just nodded. “The situation triggered my anxiety. That’s why I’m sensitive about it.”

Min shook her head. She knew first-hand how people could be seduced by internet fame, but still. Hearing his story broke her heart a little.

“All that said,” he continued, his eyes piercing hers. “There’s still no excuse for how I handled our first meeting. You didn’t deserve to be treated that way. I should have listened to you. I’m sorry.”

Not wanting to admit she felt a little breathless from his apology, Min nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

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