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Fuck, it’s out.

At that thought, I jump out of bed and grab my phone.

Derek. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

With trembling fingers, I answer the call. “Yes?”

“Good morning, princess. Congratulations on making it to the next round.”

My head is pounding, and I struggle to process what Derek said. He doesn’t sound angry.

“Thanks?”

“Anyway. Please check your emails. I managed to squeeze in a few interviews over the next two days. Only the most important partners with playoff clauses.”

I run my hand over my tired face. Damn. Yeah. “Okay.” I can manage to spout some nonsense about watches, liquor, and cars even in my current state. “But practice . . . ”

“It’s all coordinated with your schedule.”

Sighing, I sit back down. I wouldn’t have had time for Parker, anyway.

“Okay. Anything else?”

Derek snorts. “What else is there? Stay clean. I gotta go.”

He hangs up before I even take the phone away from my ear.

I quickly search for myself online and find only the same old crap. Nothing about Parker and me in his office.

Groaning, I let myself fall back onto the mattress.

I’m such a stupid asshole.

Of course, nothing happened. Parker would never risk anything happening to me. If he says the office is empty, it’s empty. Whatever that noise was yesterday.

Four weeks without Parker?

Am I crazy? Did I really suggest that yesterday?

My exhaustion is no excuse. But now, after a good night’s sleep, I can see things clearly. More clearly. Messing around in his office is and always will be irresponsible and stupid.

But sidelining him for the rest of the playoffs is . . . I open the chat.

Oh. A message.

I love you. Don’t forget that.

It’s too good to be true. I don’t deserve him at all. I hope he never finds out. I love you too. Forget what I said yesterday. I need to see you. Let me make up for what I messed up.

The message goes through immediately, but Parker doesn’t read it.

Obviously. The man has to work.

I wait a moment and put the phone down.

Either way, I have no choice but to start my day.

After my shower and my ginger water, I check again, but Parker hasn’t read the message or replied.