Page 49 of Game Misconduct

Seventeen

Vivian

Mitch didn’t reply to my text until minutes before I was leaving the office for the day. He said he was home and available, so I called him.

“Hey, Vivi,” he answered.

“Hi, I have something to ask you, but I’d rather do it in person.” So I could see the reaction on his face.

“Oh sounds intriguing.”

I chuckled at his teasing tone. “Can you meet somewhere?”

“You don’t want to come over?” he asked.

“It’s something I’d rather not have your roommate overhear.”

He hummed. “Well, Parker isn’t here right now. He stayed late at practice with his line.”

“Do you know how long he’ll be?” The last thing I wanted was for him to walk in during this conversation.

“Usually another hour or two. If you want to play it safe, we can meet at a cafe or restaurant if you’re hungry.”

I was too nervous to eat, but maybe a soothing tea could help. “There’s a cafe a few blocks from my office. I’ll send you the address.”

“Okay, I’ll meet you there.”

I found the website and sent it to him before shutting down my laptop and making sure everything important was locked in my desk before leaving. It was only a ten-minute walk for me, but he was waiting near the doors when I entered.

“Hey.” He stepped forward and gave me a warm hug.

“Hi.” I smiled up at him. “Have you been here before?”

“Yeah, a few times.” He looked around like he expected to see someone, then stepped forward to join the line.

We ordered our drink, and he paid, despite my attempts to give my card to the barista. He guided me to a pair of oversized chairs in the back corner. “Is this okay?”

I glanced around the nearly-empty room. We’d arrived between the lunch and evening crowd so we didn’t have to worry about being overheard or rushed for our seats. “Perfect.”

“So tell me, what’s going on?” He sat back with his foot resting on the opposite knee.

“Right to it? We’re not even going to go through the normal small talk?” I asked, only half-joking.

“This sounded really important. I didn’t think you wanted to waste time on pleasantries, but if it makes you feel better. I’m fine. Sore, but that’s nothing new. How are you?”

I attempted to smile but it fell short. “I’m stressed.”

“Okay, why is that?”

I scooted back in the worn leather, trying to get comfortable.

“Here are your drinks,” a female voice announced behind me. She set our drinks down and left without another word. I reached for my tea and removed the lid to blow on the steaming liquid.

“We can talk while it cools down.” Mitch shot me a knowing look.

Okay, maybe I was procrastinating. My determination to get this done was dwindling now that he was in front of me.

“I was wondering,” I began, and he watched patiently. “If you have any friends.”