Page 13 of Game Misconduct

Vivian

They hadn’t lied. Lance and Mikey really had taken care of everything for the dinner party. When I got home after work on Friday, the furniture was rearranged so there was a more open area in the center of our apartment. I wasn’t sure what that was supposed to accomplish, but this wasn’t my deal.

“Hey, people are supposed to start arriving in an hour. Where’s the food?” Mikey asked Lance as I tried to slide behind him to the hallway that led to my room.

He almost stepped on me, but I put my hand on his shoulder and he moved.

“It’s supposed to be here by now. I’ll call,” Lance replied.

When I passed Jess’s room, she called out my name.

“How bad is it?” She leaned forward out of the doorway but there was nothing to see.

I shrugged. “No food yet, I guess.”

She rolled her eyes. “They won’t let me do anything. They said they wanted to take care of everything.”

“That would explain the sitting situation.” I giggled.

Her eyes widened. “Oh no. What did they do?”

“All the chairs and couches are pushed against the walls so there’s just this huge empty space.”

“Are they planning on having dancing?” She joked, then froze. “Please tell me they aren’t actually planning on having dancing.”

“That’s not a horrible guess, but you’ll have to ask them.” I wasn’t qualified to interpret their actions.

“I’ll have to make it very clear I had nothing to do with this. I don’t want anyone thinking Dani or I helped them.”

“I’m sure it will be fine.” I could only say that because, one, it didn’t affect me unless something was broken. And two, this wasn’t a public event or anything that would be documented. It was just some friends getting together for dinner.

“You’re right.” She sighed. “As long as everyone has fun, it’s a success.”

“Is it only couples coming?”

“No, Mikey is single, and he didn’t invite anyone. Plus, Dory and Parker are coming now.” She hesitated. “You might be the only single lady, though.”

I almost asked if I could invite Kerry, but I was already a fringe participant. I likely wouldn’t have been invited if it wasn’t taking place at my apartment.

“That’s okay. I think Dory and I are friends now.” We clicked once we got each other laughing. He was an easy person to be around, and Parker seemed nice enough, if not a little shy. We could form a singles alliance with Mikey.

She tossed her head back, laughing. “I noticed that. He’s the silent, brooding one on the team. I think I’ve only heard him speak three times, yet you had him laughing and smiling all night.” She wagged her brows. “Is there anything I should know about?”

I shook my head. “Not at all.”

It was surprising to hear Dory was quiet around Jess. It had taken a few minutes to stumble through the awkward start to our conversation, but he loosened up quickly enough. Maybe Jess just hadn’t tried very hard.

“It wouldn’t be the worst thing.” She grinned like a woman with a scheme brewing. “You could start dating, then you’d be officially a part of the Pride.”

I did envy her instant friend group, but that didn’t mean I wanted to date Dory for his connections.

“I think there’s strong friendship potential there.” I hoped she would drop it. If I was okay with the situation, she should be too.

“Fine, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving up. There are a few other single guys on the team.” She paused. “Oh, like the new guy.”

Parker. Mister tall, dark, and handsome was someone I could see myself crushing on, but I stopped those thoughts the night we met before anything could happen. There was no use getting excited only to get let down later.

He didn’t seem interested in me at all, and I wasn’t going to fight that. I just accepted the truth and moved on.