Page 46 of A Million Times, Yes

“I certainly can’t go,” Bettie said. “And I’d rather someone use them than have them go to waste, so why not you two gals? The seats are marvelous. Right in front of the glass, center ice. You’ll have a grand time.”

“Who would have thought sweet Bettie would be an avid Boston Bears fan?” Emily said.

“There’s a lot about me that I bet would surprise you, dear.” She pushed her glasses down and looked at me from above the rims. “What do you say? Will you go?”

“She says yes,” Emily chimed in. “Even though Maya doesn’t know a thing about hockey and won’t have a clue what’s going on. It’s time she learn.”

I laughed at my best friend. “It does seem as though everyone is into this sport besides me.”

“By ‘everyone,’ you mean the new guy,” Emily said. “Who just happened to play hockey,” she told Bettie.

“For the Bears?” Bettie asked.

“No, no, not professionally.” At least, I didn’t think so. He hadn’t mentioned that he’d played at that level or that he’d even played in college. “He just played at lot.” Which had been what he’d said to me.“Regardless, it would be nice to know what he’s talking about if he brings it up again, and tonight does seem like a great opportunity to learn.” I smiled at Bettie. “You’re so, so generous to give us these tickets. Thank you. There must be some way I can repay you.”

“You can repay me by having a good time.” She pulled off her glasses and held them in her hand. “Take lots of photos so when I see you again, I can feel like I was with you gals at the game.”

A game I was going to bring up to Jordan when I saw him tomorrow night, hoping my newfound knowledge would impress him. Or maybe I’d keep it a secret and inconspicuously drop some lingo the next time one of us brought up hockey. I just knew that if it was tattooed on his body, it had to be extremely important to him, and that made me want to learn more about it.

“Deal,” Emily said.

I nodded, reaching for Bettie’s hand. “Deal.”

Me:What do I taste like?

Jordan:Perfection.

Me:That’s a flavor?

Jordan:It is when it comes toyou.

Me:One more night . . .

Jordan:It feels like a fucking eternity.

Chapter Eleven

Jordan

“Your scotch, Mr. Worthington.” The waitress placed a tumbler with a large square block of ice on the table, the only way I liked to drink it when I came to our arena. “And your vodka soda, Mr. Worthington,” she said to my brother, who sat next to me on the couch in the owner’s suite, the glass full of booze now in front of him.

“Taking it easy tonight?” I asked Gavin.

“If I was taking it easy, I wouldn’t be drinking at all.” He clinked his glass against mine and took a sip.

“I’m just surprised you didn’t go for scotch, considering there’s a fresh bottle of Macallan up there.” I pointed at our private bar, which was stocked with anything and everything we’d ever want for us and our guests.

He crossed his legs, his khakis lifting at his ankles, showing off socks that had the Bears logo on them. “I’m in the mood to switch it up. Like you ... when it comes to women.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“You and Maya, that’s what I mean. You’re doing something you’ve never done before, like drinking her up every chance you get. So I’m drinking vodka, like I never do—tonight.”

I grabbed his ankle and shook it. “If you’re trying to make a point, you could have just made it and stopped with the bullshit.”

“But it’s more fun this way.” The cocky son of a bitch smiled. “I’m assuming the talk with her went well, or you’d be wearing a full-on scowl instead of the half a one you’re wearing now. And you’d be a fucking asshole—which you are, don’t get me wrong, but tonight isaverage asshole, not more than usual.”

I flipped him off. “That’s for you.” I took a drink. “As for Maya”—I inhaled a breath—“I haven’t had that talk with her yet.”