The Game by Vi Keeland by Vi Keeland

They all shook their heads.

“With all due respect to Bella, I can see how a personal relationship between a player and an owner might look bad when it comes to undue influence on contracts. But the first time Bella and I spoke, she said this year was for listening and learning, and it was my team to run.” He nodded. “She’s kept to that word. So my recommendation does not change after learning about her relationship with Christian Knox.”

“Thank you, Tom.” I looked at Tiffany. “Can we continue?”

She rolled her eyes, so I sat down and looked at Tom, who took the hint and picked up where he’d left off.

When the meeting finally wrapped, hours later, I caught my sister as she walked out. “Tiffany, can we speak for a moment?”

She pursed her lips and folded her arms across her chest, which I took for a yes.

I closed the door behind the last person leaving the conference room, so it was just the two of us. “You know, I’ve tried hard to put myself in your place. How would I feel if I grew up in a very privileged life and found out, after my father passed, that he’d had a child out of wedlock and left that child a substantial inheritance? I’m sure I wouldn’t be happy either. I’ve tried my very best since I arrived to remember that and always take the high road. But maybe it’s time you remember something, too. I’m from the street, not the penthouse like you. I may be sitting up here with you now, but I’m still the little girl from the homeless shelter.” I stepped closer. “So if you ever speak negatively about Christian in my presence again, I will kick your ass.”

Tiffany’s mouth dropped open. “You’re so trashy.”

I offered an ear-to-ear smile and opened the conference room door. “And don’t you forget it.”

My body tingled as she stormed out. It felt good to finally say my piece. And even though I hadn’t wanted my relationship with Christian to be public, part of me was relieved people knew. Tiffany had tried to hurt me, but it had backfired. I felt unstoppable.

As I returned to my office, my cell phone rang. I thought it might be Christian, but instead Julian’s name flashed on the screen. That brought my headspace down, but as long as I was clearing the air and feeling empowered, I guessed I should have a conversation with him, too. He’d called twice in the last couple of weeks, and I’d never called him back. Julian didn’t deserve my disrespect, so I needed to be honest.

Taking a deep breath, I swiped to answer. “Hey, Julian.”

“Oh, hey. I figured I was going to voicemail again.”

“No, you got me. I just got out of a meeting, though. That’s why it took me so long to answer.”

“How’s everything going? You must be pretty busy. I called you a few weeks ago and hadn’t heard back.”

I shut the door to my office and sat down at my desk. “Things have been pretty hectic, actually. I’m sorry I didn’t call. I should’ve.”

“It’s fine. I get it. I was just sitting at my desk working on the presentation I’m giving at the AI conference, and I thought of you. We hired a new coder. He sits at a cubicle not too far from my office and has terrible allergies.”

“Okay…”

“I was thinking if he worked for you, you’d probably be passed out from lack of oxygen. He never stops sneezing.”

I laughed. “Oh my gosh. I’d be passed out, but you must be walking around that office pissed off all the time.”

“I’m thinking of promoting him just so I can move him to a private office on the other side of the building.”

“You would do something like that. What else is new?”

Julian and I talked for a while, mostly about his work stuff. When the conversation came to a natural lull, he cleared his throat.

“I was hoping maybe we could see each other before I left for the conference next week,” he said. “Maybe have dinner Friday night?”

“Yeah, umm…about that…” God, I really hate letting nice people down. “I want to be honest with you… I think we’re better off as friends.”

“Oh…”

“I love our friendship, and you’re one of the smartest people I’ve ever met, but I realized during our date last time that there just isn’t a romantic spark. I really thought there would be. Plus, I’ve met someone.”

“I see…”

“I hope we can still be friends.”

“Sure. Of course.”

Even as we said it, I knew it was unlikely that we’d be the type of friends who spent time together. Our contact would probably be limited to liking each other’s posts on social media once in a while.

During the awkward silence that followed, there was a knock at my office door, and Christian poked his head in. I smiled and waved him inside, then held up a finger and pointed to my cell.

“Alright, well, I know you’re busy,” Julian said. “So I’ll let you go.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll give you a call soon.”

“That sounds good.”

“Bye, Bella.”

“Bye, Julian. Good luck with your presentation at the conference.”

Christian’s face fell as I swiped to end the call and set the phone on my desk.

“Hi.”