Page 34 of Game Misconduct

Her compliment meant more to me than when it came from the coaches or my captain. Why? Why did her words and opinion hit me so differently?

“I have a favor to ask you.” She looked down at her hands. Was she nervous? I couldn't fathom it. “Kerry, my other best friend”—she shot me a look, and I rolled my eyes— “is dating a new guy, and she really likes him. I said I would go to dinner with them, and it turned into a double date thing. I was wondering if you’d come with me, but it wouldn’t be a date for us, obviously.”

Yeah, obviously. That stung. Was it because she didn’t see me that way or because of Mitch? I shook it off and agreed. “I’d love to.”

“Great, we’re planning on Friday night since you have a game on Saturday.”

“Sounds good.” I was only slightly panicking. I’d barely figured out how to be around her and act normally. Now she wanted to add in two strangers?

I’d survived much worse. I could do this for her. We were friends. This was exactly what I agreed to.

“Great.” She smiled. “By then, we’ll almost be done. Make sure you call in whatever favors you need from me before you run out of time.”

I turned to her. “I’m not passing so far?”

She shrugged. “You never know. I’m just reminding you.”

This was not something I needed a reminder about. I felt every second pass. To me, things felt great. I enjoyed our daily texts, and she mentioned I was really improving in holding a conversation. She was going to start wearing my jersey to games. We were hanging out now. What else did I need to do?

Did Mitch have this same stress, or was he a normal person? I knew the answer, but that didn’t explain why she didn’t ask him to go to dinner with her friend.

“Why not Mitch?” I blurted.

She tilted her head, “Why not him, what?”

“Why didn’t you ask him to go to the dinner with you?” I clarified.

She shrugged. “I guess I could have, but when Kerry and I were discussing it, you were the first person I thought of.”

A tiny spark of pride flickered in my chest. “So you and him aren’t…?”

She shook her head. “No, I told you. We’re friends.”

Right. It was stupid of me to keep pressing, but it was driving me crazy.

But why? What would it matter if they were dating? She and I were just friends. I should have been happy for her. Mitch was a great guy, and she deserved to be happy with whomever she chose.

I swallowed back the realization that was slowly creeping up.

It’s because the thought of them together made me jealous. The name of that uncomfortable feeling tugging in my gut popped into my mind, and I couldn’t deny it. I was jealous of Mitch.

I didn’t have a logical reason to be, but that didn’t make the feeling totally disappear. It felt like acknowledging the emotion breathed life into it. Now it was growing and taking up more and more room in my already cramped head. This was the last thing I needed to add to my life. I had more than enough stressors to drive me insane and keep me up at night.

“Parker?”

The sound of her voice pulled me back into reality. “Yeah?”

“I lost you there for a minute. Are you tired?”

I shook my head. “Sorry, just thinking.”

“About what?” she asked while looking at her phone.

You. I wanted to say it but thought better of it. “I’ve just felt overwhelmed for the past few weeks, and it’s starting to take it out of me.”

“Is there anything you want to talk about?”

“Not really. I’m sure it will get better as I get more used to things here.”