Page 12 of Hockey Player Seeking Fan

“Well, I suppose you can teach me a thing or two, sweet Erica,” I say under my breath. “I hope that your ice cream date is everything you hope it to be.”

“I’m sure it will be.” She leans back, a dreamy smile on her face as she plays with her hair. “We’re going to sit in Central Park and eat ice cream. Maybe he’ll bring a blanket, and we’ll just stare up at the stars.”

I don’t say anything, and neither does a very silent Sabrina.

“And then we’ll talk about our childhoods and our dreams for the future and how kismet has?—”

My phone beeps. “Sorry, one moment.” I look down at the screen. Elliott has sent me a picture of his bed with a twenty-four-pack of condoms on it.“Bow chicka bow wow.”I try not to groan out loud.

I look up at Erica and her sweet face, and I’m about to tell her that she’s got it all wrong. That her date has no plan to discuss anything romance-related, but then she leans forward and points at me, a scowl on her pretty face. “Tyler, you think, because you’re a hockey player, and you get all sorts of women, that every man out there is a pig. That every man just thinks with his dick. But I’m here to tell you that there are some men who think with their brains, hearts, and souls. There are some men who are distinguished and kind and compassionate and thoughtful, and that is who I am going on a date with tonight. Someone the exact opposite of you.”

“I agree with you there,” I say after a moment, thinking about the picture of condoms on Elliott’s bed in the photograph. “You are definitely going on a date with someone who is 100 percent the opposite of me.” I should tell her, but I’m not going to. She likely wouldn’t believe me anyway. I smirk as I think about her comments. It’s cute that she’s so excited, but she’s absolutely delusional. Even though I’m known as a playboy and I’m not looking for a relationship or to settle down, I’d never treat awoman like a piece of meat, unlike Elliott. Elliott is the opposite of who Erica is describing, but she’ll find out within the next hour or so. I only wish I could be there to see how it all goes down.

“I hope you have a magical night, Erica. And I can’t wait to hear all about it.” I smile at her. “You’ll have to tell me exactly what he does so I can get some tips for when I’m dating next. I want to ensure that I treat a woman as well as he’s treating you.”

“I’ll tell you everything. I mean, if you’re lucky, I’ll even invite you to the wedding,” she says, holding her head up high, and it takes everything in me to stop from laughing.

“I appreciate that,” I say, with a small smile. “May all your dreams come true tonight.”

My phone beeps again, and I look at the screen.“She seems eager, so I may be able to bang it out in an hour. Then I can meet up for drinks?”I suppress a groan. Elliott is a pig. As much as I don’t want to get involved, I know I can’t let Erica get caught up with Elliott and his crap. She may hate me, but she’s one of my best friends, and I wouldn’t want any guy treating my sister that way. I text Elliott and ask for his address. There’s no way I’m going to let Erica be there alone with him, but I’m not going to prevent her from going on the date. I’ll just ensure to be there later to pick up the pieces from the fallout that I’m almost positive is going to come sooner rather than later on the date.

Chapter Five

Erica

Heart racing: check.

Stomach churning: check.

Brain going a hundred miles a minute: check.

Tyler Kane living rent-free in my head while I wait for Darren to show up: check.

Ugh, I hate that the man has gotten under my skin. And I hate that he’s so smug and gorgeous while doing it. It should be illegal to be so hot and built. And those dark eyes of his seem to hold so many secrets. Secrets that I have no interest in learning about. I am here for Darren. The possible future love of my life. I want to cringe at all the crap I spewed in the bar when I tried to make Tyler feel bad. I saw the look on Sabrina’s face when I mentioned possibly flying to Vegas and getting married. She thought I’d lost it. And Tyler obviously thought I was insane. Though it was his fault. Being around him drives me irrationally crazy. I’m not crazy, though. I don’t actually intend on becoming engaged to Darren, not that I think there is even a possibility of him asking me.

Pigs would fly before that happened.

I giggle as I imagine pigs flying and Darren and me standing in some small chapel with an Elvis impersonator asking if we wanted to be married forever. My parents and both of my brothers would absolutely kill me, and I quite like my life, so that isn’t really something I want to happen. But it is a good idea for a podcast episode. How explicit can you be about how serious you want your relationship to be at the beginning of the dating ritual? I whip out my phone and make a quick note so I don’t forget.

“Samantha, hey.” The familiar voice is right next to me. I look up quickly and smile as I see Darren. He’s as cute as I remember, but for some reason, he reminds me of a puppy dog. He’s handsome, but he has a young look. Unlike Tyler Kane, who is very much a man. A jerk of a man, but I can’t deny how hot he is, nor how much he makes my blood boil.

"Darren, so good to see you again." All of a sudden, I feel awkward being in his presence. Not because I'm overwhelmed by how hot he looks, but more so because I feel embarrassed at my big talk at the bar. If Darren knew what I'd been saying, he would definitely think I was a psycho. I cringe as I think about the conversation I'd had with Tyler Kane.

"It's really good to see you again, as well, Samantha." He looks me up and down and then opens his arms so that I can hug him. I don't necessarily want to hug him. I don't know him well, but I let him hold me close to him for a few moments. He kisses the side of my face and then steps back.

"You smell really good," he says, sniffing like he is some sort of professional perfume sniffer. Which, by the way, is not a turn-on and doesn't feel like a compliment.

"Thanks." I smile at him awkwardly. I'm not really sure what else to do in that moment. Say he smells good, as well? Even though he doesn't really.

"I'm really glad you could meet me. I wasn't sure you were going to respond to my text," he says, looking boyish, and I don't know if I believe him. He's hot. I'm sure he can get almost any woman he wants.

"Oh? Why?"

"I don't know. I know girls like to play hard to get. I was hoping that you weren't going to do that."

"Weren't going to do what?"

"Play hard to get." He winks. "So, you want some ice cream? Or maybe a burger? Or fries or whatever?"