Good Game (The System, #1) (77)

Aleks started switching up his streaming schedule slightly so we could see each other more. Thanks to Paige’s amendments to the NDA, the boys are allowed to drive me to the apartment complex, not just Francis. But Francis mostly drives me anyway since the boys usually only use him to drive them places when it is The System-related, and Francis told me he is excited to feel more useful again.

The old man melts my heart.

Deanna knows I’m officially dating Aleks, but that’s all she knows. There was no way of hiding that from her, not with how preoccupied I’ve been with him. She is determined to set up a time for us to go on a double date. Unfortunately, Maya and Alek’s schedules constantly clash. The world of esports stops for no one, especially when it comes to her team.

The System was invited to the opening ceremony for the next Gods League Champion Series in a few weeks, which Sydney is insisting they attend. Aleks was bitter about it until I mentioned Maya’s team would take part and that she would have a ticket for me to attend with Deanna.

We’ll have to sneak around if we want to see each other, but that makes it all the more fun. I love every moment I spend with Aleksander, whether it’s going out on dates, lounging on his couch with his friends, or fucking on his kitchen island.

I should probably be a little worried that I’m getting invested too quickly. That, if it doesn’t work out, the fall is going to be so much worse than it ever was with Chase. That I won’t be able to pick myself back up.

I shake the thoughts from my brain and finish getting ready. I’m spending the night at the apartment, and I went all out getting a little surprise for Aleks after listening to one of his streams the other week. I slip the last of my belongings into my overnight bag as a text from Parker pings through, letting me know he is downstairs.

I lock up and bound my way down the stairs, not bothering to wait for the elevator. Parker’s electric blue Porsche rumbles out front. I slip inside and go to throw my bag into the back when I startle at Sydney’s hunched form.

“Hey,” she smiles begrudgingly.

“Uh, hey. Whatcha doing back there?”

“Someone here insisted on driving to our boxing class earlier and failed to mention a third person would be joining us later.”

“Sydney, love, you’re five foot. You fit perfectly fine back there,” Parker chimes in.

“I’m five five.”

“Same thing. Now, buckle up, I don’t want to hit Friday night traffic.”

I clip in the blue seatbelt as Parker turns up the music so the bass reverberates through the leather. Having driven with Parker a few times now, I know to grip the safety handle as he takes off, his car speeding from zero to ninety in no time.

I adore driving with Parker. It’s a thrill. He’s a demon in the streets, maneuvering the car seamlessly between other vehicles at a speed that shouldn’t be possible. Or legal for that matter. Although, I have a feeling Parker could get out of any speeding ticket.

Sydney does not share my thrill. Expletives pour out of her while her white knuckles grip for dear life on our headrests. I think it’s the first time I’ve heard her swear.

Parker swings into the private underground lot in record time. Even Aleks doesn’t get me here as quickly on his bike—but I think he is purposely driving more slowly so as not to throw me off.

Parker pulls in next to his Ferrari—which is also blue—and shuts off the engine. He swings out of the car and tilts his seat down so Sydney can get out. She glares at him as she takes his hand and contorts her body out of the car. I get out and wait for them at the elevator while they retrieve their boxing gear from the trunk.

We get in the elevator, Sydney getting off on her floor while Parker and I ride all the way to the top.

I slip into Aleks’ bedroom at the end of the hallway, dropping my bag on the floor. I pull out my phone, opening Aleks’ livestream. He’s been streaming for two hours already and has another two to go. He wasn’t expecting me here until ten.

He’s in the middle of a game with three guys I haven’t seen before plus Jackson. They’re playing FrozeLine, a game I seriously suck at despite Aleks trying to teach me…but which is perfect for tonight.

I pull out the lingerie from my bag, grinning. The lingerie set is based on one of the characters Aleks plays in FrozeLine. It cost me a pretty penny because it had to be custom ordered, but it even came with the mini angel wings. The silky white and purple miniskirt has built-in crotchless panties; the whole thing only covers a third of my ass. The bra was the expensive part. It is white lace with an elaborate purple jewel design. The set mimics a version of the dress the character wears. I take off my current clothes, replacing them with the outfit. I slip on a pair of ultra-sheer, thigh-high white stockings with a white satin band. Then, I tie two mini pigtails near the front of my head, puffing them up a little so they sit on the rest of my wavy hair. Once I’m pleased with my look, I check Aleks’ stream again. There are only a few minutes before the current round ends, which is perfect.

I peek my head out of his door, making sure that Parker isn’t lurking about. Since I know Jackson is streaming with Aleks, I don’t have to worry about him popping out either—his bedroom and streaming room are opposite Aleks’.

I make the quick slide to the door next to Aleks’ bedroom, which leads into his streaming room. I switch off the hall light, then I open the door slowly. Light is still leaking in from the living space, but I make sure the door only opens wide enough for me to squeeze my body through before closing it.