Page 39 of Obsessive Love

Two hours later, we pulled into Stone Arena's parking garage. I’d been to a few arenas but never one like this. The players, coaches, and staff were all parked in this area, but I was surprised by how heavy the security patrol was.

Pyrite got out of the car, rounded it, and came to open my door. To the outside world, we probably looked like a loving couple; unfortunately, we both knew the truth. “My office is on the top floor, along with Hood, Yeti, and a few of the coaches,”Pyrite said as he shut the door and took my hand. He interlaced our fingers, and we fell into step as we approached the garage. “You need a keycard or a palm scan to get there.”

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. Using his free hand, Pyrite scanned his hand, and we started to move.

“Okay,” I said because I had no clue why he was telling me this. Knowing that information didn’t matter because I didn’t plan to be here long enough for it. “Wait, who is Hood and Yeti? And why are they important enough to have an office on the top floor?”

“Hood is the team doctor,” he answered with a slight laugh. “We’ve been friends for years. You’ll like him.”

“And Yeti, should I know who he is?”

“Head of security.” He glanced over at me and smirked. “You’ll know who he is as soon as you see his big ass.”

“Oh, so you have private security?” I asked. The elevator doors opened, and we stepped off. The hallway was busy with people moving; everyone we passed spoke to Pyrite or gave him nonverbal acknowledgment. We rounded a corner and walked down a long hallway with jerseys hung on the wall.

“Yeah,” he answered, then stopped at a door. He scanned his palm, turned the handle, and opened the door. “This is my office.”

Pyrite’s office was massive but so inviting. Like his home, the main color scheme was black with tan accents. A large tan desk that was at least ten feet long, with a large leather wingback chair set in front of an all-glass wall. To the right of the desk was a wall full of books, and to the left was a wall full of awards and pictures. In front of his desk was a tan leather sectional couch, a plush rug, a glass coffee table, and a big-screen TV mounted on the wall.

“You need plants,” I said as I walked around. Something about having real plants in a room always brought it to lifefor me. Every room in my house had plants, including my bathroom.

“Like?” he closed his office door and walked to his desk.

“Pothos,” I answered as I looked around the office. “In that corner, so they won’t have direct sunlight.” I pointed to a corner of the room and nodded. “And maybe a birdcage.”

“For the fuck what?” he asked as he sat at his desk. “Starburst or Watermelon will be here.”

“Get your own bird,” I answered with a shrug and tried not to laugh. “You’re doing good with them, and I bet you’ll miss having them around once we're gone.”

“Doubt it,” he chuckled and shook his head. “Doubt all that shit you just said heavily.”

Even though my end goal was to leave, something bothered me about the way he was so dismissive about my leaving.

PYRITE

“Let’s go,”I said as I set my phone on the desk and stood. A black folder full of papers I needed to sign sat on my desk, and I grabbed it. I knew once we arrived at the storefronts that Fable would be in her own little world, designing it exactly as she wanted. I rounded my desk, put my hand out for her to take, and waited. Touching Fable was becoming addictive. I always wanted to be near her, touching her; at this fucking point, I wanted to be in her damn skin.

“How far is your office from the storefronts?”

I opened my office door, checked our surroundings to ensure everything was clear, and stepped back. “Go to the right,” I instructed. We walked down the hallway and took the business elevator to the lower back offices. “To the left.” We moved to the arena's main level through the back offices, the lounge, and out the door. “Pick a space.”

“Which one isn’t being used already?” she asked as we walked around. No one had chosen a location because we were in the off-season of basically everything. Fable would get the first choice.

“None,” I said, shaking my head. “I haven’t offered contracts to any other vendors for locations.”

“Why?” she questioned as we moved to a different front. This one was the biggest and was also a corner lot. She opened the side door and stepped behind the counter.

“Because I’ve been busy,” I answered with a laugh, and she rolled her eyes. “But after you decide, I’ll email my assistant, and she will let them know which spaces are available.” She bit into her bottom lip and looked around. “What is it?”

“I think I need two spaces,” she replied, and I nodded. “This one is perfect, but it's not big enough, and I can tell it’s the biggest. Unless you have something on a different level that’s bigger?”

“Nah, these are the biggest fronts,” I answered, and I watched her shoulders drop. It was wild that she thought her needing two fronts would be a problem. Nothing that could be fixed with money would ever be a problem.

“Okay,” she nodded and looked around again. Her face twisted for a second, then she straightened her shoulders and returned to business. “I’m going to need two convection ovens instead of the three I originally wanted.” I opened my portfolio and started writing down everything she mentioned. “All new appliances; dough divider included due to lack of space, the counter needs to be replaced, and a holding counter needs to be put in.” I was writing shit down like I knew what any of what she was saying meant, but that didn’t matter. If she wanted it, she would have it.

“Colors?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“Blue and purple,” she answered, and I nodded.

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