Page 9 of Game Over

“Anyway,”Jennasays, setting her phone down with a definitive tap. “Back to your mystery man.”

I fiddle with my coffee cup, running my finger through a drop of condensation on the table. “He’s sent me some photos.”

“Of him in that skull mask? That doesn’t count.” She breaks off another piece of croissant, popping it into her mouth.

“The Ghost mask is iconic! And he rocks it.” I pull up my phone, scrolling to the latest pic he sentin full tactical gear, the stark white mask a sharp contrast against the dark background. “See? Tell me that’s not hot.”

Jennastudies the image, her lips pursed. The café’s overhead lights reflect in her glasses as she leans closer to my screen.

“All I see is a guy who won’t show his face.” She leans back, crossing her arms. “What if he’s catfishing you?”

“He’s not.” The conviction in my voice surprises even me. A server passes by, collecting empty cups from nearby tables. The café is winding down, and only a few patrons remain.

“You should hear how he talks,” I continue, lowering my voice. “Last week, we talked for hours about everything from game design philosophy to our favorite cereal. He’s different.”

“Different enough to finally show up at GamerCon?”Jennaraises an eyebrow, her skepticism palpable in the dim café light.

I bite my lip, remembering the edge in his voice when we discussed it. “Maybe. He seemed more open to it this time.”

“And you’re not curious what he looks like under that mask?”

“Of course I am!” The words burst out before I can stop them. “I mean... yeah, I’ve thought about it. A lot.”

My mind wanders to late-night gaming sessions, imagining the face behind that voice that sends shivers down my spine. The café around us fades away as I picture possibilities—is he clean-shaven or scruffy? Are his eyes as intense as they seem through the mask’s eyeholes?

“Earth toKira!”Jennawaves her hand in front of my face, the movement sending ripples through her coffee. “You’re doing that dreamy thing again.”

“I am not!” But the heat in my cheeks betrays me. Outside, rain begins to patter against the windows, droplets racing down the glass and blurring the streetlights.

“Maybe it’s just because he plays Ghost so well,” I mumble into my coffee. “You know how I feel about that character.”

“Oh, I know.”Jenna’seyebrows shoot up. “I’ve seen your TikTok likes.”

“Hey!” I nearly spilled my drink, the ceramic mug clattering against the saucer. “Those are private!”

“Not when you’re logged into my phone, and thirst trap videos keep popping up on my feed. ‘GhostDaddy’? Really?” She laughs, the sound mingling with the increasing drumbeat of rain outside.

I sink lower in my chair, face burning. The coffee shop’s closing music starts playing, a gentle hint to remaining customers.

“His cosplay is really accurate...” I mutter, tracing a coffee stain on the table.

“And the way he fills out that tactical gear has nothing to do with it?”Jennasmirks, gathering her things as the baristas begin wiping down counters.

“Shut up.” But she’s right. My FYP is filled with muscular guys in Ghost masks doing those slow-motion combat rolls, their shirts riding up just enough to...

I clear my throat, draining the last of my now-cold latte. “Rogue’svoice kind of sounds like him, you know? That deep, gravelly thing they do.”

“The one that makes you forget how to talk mid-match?”Jennazips up her laptop bag.

“I do not—” But I think about last night’s game, how my fingers fumbled on the controller when he growled “good girl”after I pulled off a difficult shot. “Okay, fine. Maybe I have a type.”

“A type called ‘dangerous men in masks?’” She stands, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

We go to the door, nodding goodbye to the tired-looking baristas. Outside, the rain has intensified, drumming against the awning above us.

“It’s not just that.” I pull my jacket tighter against the sudden chill. “WhenRoguetalks about gaming, strategy, and positioning, it’s like he becomes Ghost. All commanding and confident. And his laugh...” I shiver, remembering how it vibrates through my headset late at night.

“Girl, you’ve got it bad.”Jennashakes her head, pulling up her hood against the rain. “For both the character and your mystery man.”

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