Page 20 of Game Misconduct

“Hey? Is he ready?”

I glanced up and smiled at Ben. “Yeah, he’s inside.”

“Thanks.” He passed by, and I went back to the mystery on my computer. All she asked was if it was okay if she gave out my number. To who? One of the women in the Pride? One of the players? A client?

To who?

I asked for an explanation then tried to move on to my actual work, but Kerry sent me an email with plans for her and her date to get food, and me running into them at the arena. It was much simpler than I expected from her, but I agreed and told her to pick a time and location, and I would make sure I was there.

My phone rang, the one on my desk, and I answered it using my professional voice. “This is Vivian.”

“Um, hi, Viv.” I stared down at the number, confused. It was a transferred call from our receptionist, Erin. She only let it ring through directly without telling me who was calling if it was someone she thought I knew.

“Sorry, who is this?” I lifted my shoulder to hold the phone in place while I typed Erin an instant message asking for details.

“Parker.”

I racked my brain for a Parker that would be calling. None of the members of the board or any of Jonathan’s family members had that name.

“From the Fury?” He replied.

Erin replied your friend???

I ignored that while trying to figure out what was going on. “Oh sorry, Parker. I just wasn’t expecting your call.”

Was this who Jess was talking about? Why didn’t she give him my cell number? Did she even have my work number? Obviously not if it went through Erin rather than directly to my desk.

“I know, sorry. I wasn’t sure how to get a hold of you.”

So, maybe it wasn’t him that asked Jess.

“No problem. What’s up?” I peeked over my shoulder, but Jonathan and Ben were focused on something on the screen in front of them.

“I was wondering if you were going to be home this evening.”

That caught me off-guard, and I let out a small huff. “I should be, yes. I don’t think I have any plans.”

“Would it be okay if I stopped by?” His voice was so timid. Like he was nervous. Was he asking me on a date? Could it be counted as a date if he invited himself over?

“Yeah, I’m usually home by five-thirty.” Unless I stopped for dinner on the way. I did a mental inventory of our fridge. No, there was some chicken and veggies I could heat up.

“Great, I’ll see you later.”

He ended the call, and I put the phone back before dropping my hands in my lap. What the heck was that?

Erin sent three more messages asking if the guy wasn’t who he said he was and if I needed help. I told her it was fine and checked that the men were still busy before standing and hurrying across the floor to Kerry’s desk. I carefully glanced into Simon’s office, but he wasn’t there.

“Hey, what brings you over?” She grinned and stopped typing when she saw me.

I pulled one of the empty chairs near the entrance to another meeting room over and sat close enough that I could whisper without anyone overhearing, not that anyone ever wandered over to this area.

“Parker called me.”

Her eyes narrowed. “The new guy?”

I nodded. I’d told her briefly about helping Jess and Dani set up and how I met some more of the players. “Yeah, he and his roommate, Mitch, were at the dinner party on Friday, so I saw him again there too.”

“Okay, so why’d he call?”