Page 24 of Game Misconduct

I swallowed and tried to articulate what I’d been thinking about. “We could hang out when we’re both available. Get dinners or see a movie. If there’s a team event, you could come with me. If you have any parties or anything, you could bring me along. I know you don’t know me that well, but I’m asking from a genuine place. I don’t have a malicious agenda.”

“I want to believe you but––”

I cut her off. “Give me a shot. A trial run.”

“What?”

“Try this out with me for a week or two.”

“What are you talking about?”

I leaned forward. She wasn’t saying no, so there was a chance to get her to hear me without wanting to slap me. “We’ll exchange numbers, and for the next fourteen days, we’ll act as each other’s friend.”

She raised a brow. “I have plenty of friends.”

“I know.” I swallowed. “But I don’t.”

She sat back, and her challenging look disappeared, making my heart race. Did she finally get it? Had I said the right thing to make her understand?

“You’re really terrible at this.” Her voice had softened.

“I know.”

She almost smiled. I saw the corner of her mouth twitch but stop. “Want to know how normal people become friends?”

I nodded.

“They get your number and send a text like—” She reached for her phone, pulled up her text messages, and read, “Would you like to get dinner this week? Wednesday and Friday work best for me.”

“Wasn’t that basically what I did?”

She actually laughed. “No. You called my work and set up whatever this is.” She gestured between us. “And made it a super awkward situation.”

“Oh.” Her rejection was coming.

She sighed and cocked her head while studying me. “Two weeks.”

I straightened. “Really?”

“Yes, but be prepared for any notes or critique I may have.”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

She watched me for a moment with an almost sad expression. “And don’t make me regret this.”

“I’ll try not to.” I wanted to promise her, but we both knew those would be empty words. She cared about actions, not words. This was my chance to prove myself. I was going to show her she could depend on me. That I was there for her just as much as I needed her. After two weeks, this whole thing would be something we could laugh about. The ridiculous beginning of our long friendship.

It wasn’t until later that night I wondered who the text she read was from. Someone asked her to dinner. That sounded a lot like a date. I glanced at my phone. A friend could ask who it was with. I could even ask so I knew what night she was free to hang out. I picked up my phone and sent the message before I could change my mind.

Did you decide on Wednesday or Friday?

It didn’t matter who she was going out with, even if the thought made me more uncomfortable than it should. Friends supported each other.

Nine

Vivian

I should have asked if Parker had ever been in a relationship of any sort, romantic or platonic. He was rusty in the communication department, and it was only the morning of day one. He asked me what day I was free because my other friend asked me to go to dinner. I told him we were going on Wednesday, and he never replied.