Page 19 of The Game She Hates

Trusting my gut, I make a swift exit. I stride quickly to my office without saying a word to anyone.

I should have thanked Zane, but with him becoming a live photo booth, there was no telling when that spectacle was gonna end.

I enter my office and quickly reach for my next client’s file, but my mind is still reeling from everything that’s just happened. I can’t shake off the question of why Zane would risk so much to save me from my own lies.

15

Zane Ortiz

Leaving Randy’s café turned out to be a stroke of luck. I should’ve known that dropping by during lunchtime would come with a price, but I never imagined it would be this intense. It feels like I spent an eternity posing for pictures and signing autographs. By the time I finally pull into my garage, I’m utterly drained.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate my fans and their support. But the whole smiling-for-the-camera routine? It’s just not my thing. I’m more comfortable as the mysterious, brooding hockey player that’s untouchable. And that reputation hasn’t steered me wrong, even if it means people assume I’m easily angered. Although that seemed to be the case when I overheard that girl talking down to Pearl.

I couldn’t help but listen in. I shouldn’t have been eavesdropping, but I’ve got a thing for sniffing out tension. And after feeling powerless for so long, I can’t stand by and watch someone else get bullied.

Maybe the girl didn’t mean any harm, but from Pearl’s voice, I could tell she wasn’t having a good time being belittled about her weekend plans. I know it wasn’t my place, but I had to step in.

What surprised me most was how quickly Pearl left without saying a word. I wonder if she didn’t need me to intervene.

Did I make things worse? Did I ruin any chance of getting to know her?

There’s only one way to find out. I pull up her practice’s number and give her a call. After a few rings, she picks up.

“Hey, Sweet P,” I greet her, fully aware that the new nickname gets under her skin. It’s good to know that the only other person who calls her this isn’t a Robert as I had feared. When I overheard the conversation earlier, they mentioned a Robyn, and she must definitely be Pearl’s Robs.

Now I know for sure she’s single and I have gained a few other insights into her —all the tidbits she didn’t want to give me willingly.

“Hi, Zane? Why do you keep calling me that?”

“I like it. I mean, I thought it was pretty unique at first, but I don’t mind sharing this with Robs.”

“If you must know,” she sighs, “Robyn only calls me P, and she’s my best friend.”

“Ahh, so there isn’t a Robert?” I pretend to only figure it out now. “Then it’s settled, Sweet P.”

“Why did you call the office?” she asks dryly, sounding like she has no clue why I’m calling.

Hello, it’s the huge elephant in the room.

I decide to play along. “Since you refused to give me your personal number, how else do you suggest I reach you?”

“Why do you need my phone number if you’ve already decided to always stalk me at Randy’s?”

“I don’t think I’m gonna step foot there for at least a couple of weeks.” I can’t risk another swarm of fans. They can’t know that Randy’s café is my spot.

There’s no way today would be a repeat so soon.

“I’m sorry. That was all my fault. I just don’t know why you felt the need to blow your cover for me.”

“I didn’t do it for you. I’ve been trying to make plans with you for a few days now, so when the opportunity arose, I had to take it.” I joke.

In reality, I couldn’t just sit back and watch. I guess it’s a bit of a pet peeve of mine—seeing people being picked on, especially for something as trivial as not having a packed social calendar. If anything, Pearl and I are more alike than I thought.

“Something’s seriously wrong with you, Zane. Did you take a puck to the head or something?”

“Oh, you’re full of jokes,” I respond, amused. “Look at that. This is the friendliest you’ve ever been with me. Are you one of those people who are lively on calls but turn into a total introvert in person?”

I hear a giggle at the end of the line, and it stirs something inside me.

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