Page 18 of Hockey Player Seeking Fan

"I get that you’re frustrated that your date didn’t go well, and now you’re kind of crashing out. Sounds like maybe we should get you some food, and then I’ll take you home."

"I mean, I don’t want to disturb you for this whole evening, especially if you have things to do. Women to meet. Women who want to fawn all over you because you’re Tyler Kane, hockey player of the year—wait, hockey player of thecentury."

"Well, you’ve really done your research."

"No, I haven’t." She giggles. "But I’m all worked up for a burger. Are you down?"

"I’m down." In fact, I look around and recognize the cross streets we’re at. "I know a really good burger joint, and it’s on me if you want to join."

"Wow. Gentlemen do exist," she says.

"Huh?" I look at her, and she just shakes her head.

"Nothing." She takes a deep breath and rubs her hands together, and I notice that she’s shivering slightly.

"Would you like my jacket?" I ask her.

She shakes her head. "I’m okay. I’m not really cold. I think the drama of the evening is just getting to me."

"That makes sense," I say. "I’m sorry about Elliott, by the way."

"You mean him calling me a bitch?" She rolls her eyes. "He’s really rude."

"I’m sorry that he said that. I don’t think it was called for, and I’m going to have words with him when we get to practice tomorrow."

"You don’t have to do that on my account."

"No, I’m going to do it on the account of all women out there in the universe. He obviously has a lot to learn."

"He’s going to love you."

"Yeah, well, that’s not my concern. He’s on my team, and as such, he needs to present himself as a gentleman. We may be hockey players, and anything may go while we’re on the ice, but that shit does not fly when we’re out here in the real world. Especially with women."

"Ooh, are you a Southern gentleman?" she asks, looking up at me with wide eyes.

I shake my head. "I’m from the Midwest, in fact. And I think we Midwest men are much more polite than those Southern guys."

"I wouldn’t know," she says. "I mainly date guys from the East Coast and New England. I’ve never dated a guy from the South or the Midwest."

"Well, you’re missing out."

"Am I?"

"I don’t know. I feel like there’s something to be said about men from different parts of the country."

"I wouldn't mind dating a different guy from every part of the world." She giggles.

"Really?" I look at her in surprise.

"No, not really. If I’m honest, I am just looking for my one true love."

I let out a groan.

"What?" she blinks. "What’s wrong with that?"

"I’m just saying that I don’t believe in such a thing as one true love, and I feel that it’s very naïve if you do."

"Excuse me?" She folds her arms across her chest. "I’m naïve because I believe that there’s one man that was made for me and that I was made for him?"