Page 59 of Game Misconduct

“She asked me to set her up on a blind date.”

He might have thought that explained it better, but my mind was trying to bat the words away. I inhaled slowly before letting out a sigh. “Did you?”

“Yeah,” he admitted before looking at the ground. “It happened last night.”

My jaw was so tight, I thought I might crack a molar. I hummed, not able to speak. Why would he do that? How could he betray me like that? Not only did he have to live with me, but I thought we were friends. Apparently, he didn’t think so.

“Look, I didn’t want to go through with it, but she was adamant it was what she wanted.”

I turned away, staring out at the street. Why would she want to date another guy? Was she not interested in me? Had I misread all the signs? I thought she might feel the same way about me. Was I just seeing what I wanted to? Projecting my emotions and thoughts onto her?

“Thanks for telling me. I’m glad I didn’t embarrass myself.” My shoulders slumped, and I was suddenly exhausted. I did appreciate that he was being honest with me, but I wished he could have at least waited until after tonight’s game.

“Stop.” He reached out and tugged on my arm to get me to face him. “What are you feeling right now?”

I glared at him. “Nothing good.”

He held my gaze, unwavering. “Doesn’t that tell you something?”

I shook my head. “Not really.”

“Are you angry at me for setting her up?”

I nodded.

“Are you angry at her for going out with another guy?”

I nodded again.

“Tell me why.” He kept his gaze locked on mine.

“Because I really like her, and she doesn’t feel the same. I want to date her. I want to be the one she wants to go out with, but she wants to date strangers. Also, because she trusted you and went to you, rather than talking to me.”

“That doesn’t sound as much like anger as it does jealousy.” He raised a brow. “Is there a chance you’re not as angry as you think? It’s okay to be hurt. Be mad at me for participating, but put that aside. Are you really angry with her, or are you jealous of the other guy?”

I was all of the above. “I’m pretty angry, but I am hurt you would do that to me. And I am jealous.”

“I’m sorry, but I was trying to help.”

I flinched. “Her or me?”

“Both.” He shrugged. “I’m not going to insert myself even deeper in this mess, but I think you should really think about what you’re feeling and why. Then you should talk to her.”

“I’m not sure I want to.” It felt like my body deflated. Like I was a shell of who I’d been just minutes before.

“Parker, give yourself time to cool off and process. Once you really think it over, talk to her. If you don’t think you can without losing it, then come talk to me.”

I walked away without replying. I didn’t want to listen to his advice, even if it was solid. I didn’t want to be around him at all. The betrayal I felt was blurred between both him and Vivi. Why did she want to go on a blind date? She never mentioned wanting to date anyone. I’d been blindsided. Slapped across the face by the revelation.

And Mitch.

Why did he say yes? Why had he gone through with it? Why hadn’t he warned me before now?

Each question I had just made me sicker. When I got to my room, I dropped my bag on the ground and fell face-first onto the bed. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep, even for an hour or two, but I didn’t want to do anything else but lie there and try to figure out how I’d been so completely wrong about Viv.

I never in a million years would have predicted that she wanted to date someone else. I thought that was the direction we were headed. How could I have been so stupid? I wasn’t experienced with women or dating or relationships, but I didn’t know I was this off.

The worst part was how much I physically hurt. My chest was tight, my stomach rolled, every limb felt heavy. Was this heartbreak? It had to be.