Page 156 of Scoring the Player
“I don’t know what happened. That’s why I’m calling you.”
“Why do you think something happened?”
“He looks sad. Something’s off.”
“Sad? What do you mean, sad? Where?”
“His last game. The third quarter. He’s headed?—”
“Wait, hold on. It’s…two thirty-three in the morning, and you’re calling me because Salem lookssad?”
I hear her whisper off the line, “Go back to sleep,” as I pull the phone away from my ear and wince.The hell?The last time I looked,it was just after ten.
“Shit.”
“Did you take something? Where are you?”
“No. I’m sob?—”
“I can send Dr. Thomas over. You know she’s trustworthy and discreet. Whatever is needed, we’ll handle it privately.”
It sounds like she’s the one pacing now.
“I’m not high.”
“Name the last three teams you played.”
“Cat, I’m not high. I’m home. My bad for calling so late.”
“Arnaz, wait. You know I can’t disclose client information.”
My pulse takes off. “What does that mean? Are you saying something’s wrong without saying it?”
“No. It means that even if something was wrong, and I’m not saying there is, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. Are you two having a fight?”
“Cat, if something was seriously wrong with him, I’d need to know.”
“Okay, now I’m worried again. You sound really upset.”
“Just please…” My ribs clench tight, squeezing the words into a watery whisper. “Tell me. Please.”
“Hey.” Her voice softens. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
I crash into my armchair and cradle the side of my head. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
“But you’re crying.”
“I just need to know. Tell me. Please.”
“I will call him, okay? If there is something wrong, I’ll be there for him. But I am more concerned about you right now. If I leave now, I can get to you by the morni?—”
“I’m fine. Tell Lys I’m sorry.”
I hang up and drop the phone.
CHAPTER 37
ARNAZ
