Page 60 of Playing My Rivals

“What are you looking for, Jamison?”

I think fast. “I was checking to see when Lauren stopped by last.”

“Must be the day to check up on your girlfriends.”

I open the book and search for the name of anyone coming to visit Hunter. It takes all but one glance. On today’s date, written in blue, is the last person to sign in. A man by the name of Joe Ison. The person he was coming to see was Hunter Efron.

While I have the book open, I search for the day that both Dori and Lauren stopped by my place. Their names are right by each other. How Dori missed it when she signed in is beyond my comprehension, but that’s beside the point.

I check the space where it asks who the guest is here to visit. She signed in and put me down as the person she was here to see. Hunter’s now armed with even more facts about our connection. And it’s suddenly a hell of a lot warmer in here.

Fuck!

Sometimes she doesn’t think. I need to warn her, but I don’t know if he’s got her phone bugged, too. My heart races as I try to come up with a plan.

The guard gestures to the log. “Did you find what you needed?”

“Yes. Thanks for helping me out.” I close the book and hand it back.

I turn and glance out the floor-to-ceiling glass windows and think. There’s got to be a way to get her a message.

My mind rushes with the different ways and stops when I remember I have Melanie’s phone number in my contact list. I made her text me the night she stayed out with that guy she met at the bar to make sure she made it home okay.

I reach into my pocket, take out my phone, and type a message.

Me: Hey, Mel. Jami here. I need your help. I think Dori and I are in trouble.

CHAPTER 14

DORI

Melanie just made it horrifically clear. My lies have caught up with me, even though I refuse to admit it.

“Are you sure Hunter knows I was visiting Jamison or are you both guessing?” I yank open her sliding glass door and find a seat at the patio table on her balcony.

“All I know is Jamison found out Hunter was looking through the log book for the times you had been there. You’re the one who signed in and named Jami as the person you were visiting, so you tell me.” She sits next to me. “If you ask me, I think Hunter knows a hell of a lot more than he’s letting on.”

I gaze out into the evening sky, wishing a bird would fly to me and give me a definite answer. “You may be right. Hunter’s so upset and keeps demanding the truth. I wouldn’t be surprised if he knows more.”

“Do you really think he was sick today or was he gathering information about Jamison and you?”

Her question hits me in the gut, making me want to throw up. My chest tightens and anxiety slithers up my spine. Everything in me screams Hunter took the day to get his game plan laid out.

I physically shiver with that thought. “He was definitely looking into us. He told me he was going to fight until the end and Jamison’s his target.”

Melanie stands and peers over the railing. “Hunter’s probably spying on us right now.”

“Mel, that’s not helping. I’m already thinking he’s watching me at work. I don’t need to have it in my head that he’s stalking me.”

She turns and leans against the railing. “That man must really love you to go to the trouble of calling in sick. I don’t think he’s done that since I’ve worked there.”

“How would you know if he had in the past? It’s not like that gets put in a memo. But you’re right. He does love me.”

“Let me get straight to the point. You need to come clean with him or you’re going to ruin everything. And I’m not just talking about your relationship with him. I’m talking about your work environment and your friendship with Jamison.”

“Good God, Mel. Where would I even start?” I choke out my response.

“How about with the truth? If you sit Hunter down and explain everything on your terms with your own plan, it won’t be as difficult. If he comes at you and corners you with a bunch of hard facts you can’t get out of, he might resent you for life. That won’t bode well for your career.”

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