Page 5 of Hockey Player Seeking Fan (Billionaires Seeking Wives Club #2)
Chapter Three
E rica
“Sabrina, where are you?” I scream as I run into her bedroom, holding my phone up. My heart is racing, and I’m still shocked that Darren has messaged me. Maybe I made a better impression in line than I’d thought.
“I’m in here getting ready. What is it?” She zips up her jeans and flattens them. “Did someone text you?” She stares at the phone I have held up in my hand.
“Not just someone, but possibly THE ONE. Remember that dude I told you I met yesterday?”
“The one in line?”
“Yeah. The hottie with the dimples.”
“Suki was saying he was really gorgeous.” She smiles. “What did his text say?”
“He was drop-dead gorgeous. He basically text me to say hi, and he wants to know what I’m doing tonight. He said, and I quote, 'I would love to take you out for ice cream under the stars.’ How sweet is he?”
Sabrina just stares at me, her lips pursed together, and I frown at her expression.
“Don’t you think he’s sweet to text me?”
“I mean, that was sweet, if not totally unrealistic.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s really sweet, but it reads as saccharine.”
“What’s really sweet?” Wes heads out of the bathroom and butts into the conversation.
“Erica met this guy yesterday,” Sabrina explains. “His name is Darren, and he’s a true romantic, according to Erica. He just text her and said that he wants to take her out for ice cream under the stars tonight.”
“Ice cream under the stars?” Wes raises an eyebrow and starts laughing. “What stars? There’s so much smog and so many tall buildings that you can’t really stargaze in the city. What is he talking about?”
“Really, bro? Are you so unromantic that you don’t appreciate the sentiment?” I let out a deep sigh, even though my inner guide agrees with him. “I don’t know how you date him, Sabrina. He doesn’t have a romantic bone in his body.”
“Well, he has one or two. Sometimes.” She blows him a kiss, and I try not to roll my eyes. I’m still adjusting to my brother and best friend dating and being in love. I was so excited initially, but now, I am realizing what it means to have to share my best friend.
“Oh, don’t make me throw up.” I turn away from them and look at my phone screen.
I’m surprised to see that Darren has texted me again already.
In fact, I was surprised when he asked for my phone number in line yesterday.
But I was happy to give it to him. Even if something about his interactions doesn’t feel quite right.
I bite down on my lip. “What should I say?” I turn to Sabrina. “I don’t want to seem too eager, but I don’t want him to think I’m not interested.”
“Don’t play games,” she says as if she’s an expert on relationships, when really, she has no clue. “If you want to go for ice cream with him, then tell him you’d be happy to join him tonight.”
“I agree.” Wes butts in as if I’d asked him his opinion, as well. “I can’t stand it when a woman is into you, yet she pretends that she’s not. Like just be straight up.”
Sabrina scowls. “What do you mean? You can’t stand when a woman?—”
“Obviously not now, my darling, I have you, and I love you.” He kisses her on the cheek, and she bursts out laughing.
“I’m just kidding.” She looks over at me and winks. “Just say to him, I’d love to go for ice cream, but I have plans with my friend, so it depends on the time.”
“Okay.” I nod. “But what if he mentions a late time? I don’t want him to think I’m just a booty call.”
“If he says a late time, then you say no.” Sabrina shrugs. “Right?” She looks at Wes.
Wes heads towards me, grabs me by the shoulders, and looks me in the eye.
“Erica, you’re my little sister, and I love you.
If a guy wants to meet you anytime after 8 pm, it’s for a booty call.
” He groans and shakes his head. “And you, my darling sister, are not going to allow yourself to be any loser’s booty call. ”
“I don’t need you to lecture me. You’re my brother, not my dad.”
“I’m just saying.” He presses his lips together and then continues.
“Anyway, I already told Tyler that we’re going to meet him and his friends at the bar later. So let me know if you’re coming or not.”
“Tyler?” I say in distaste. “Ugh, not that horrible guy from the bar, that wannabe hockey player.”
“You should stop hating him so much. He didn’t do it on purpose.” Wes laughs. “And he’s far from a wannabe.”
“I know, I know. He thought he was throwing his drink over Sabrina, but come on, Sabrina’s blonde, and I’m brunette,” I say. “And he was laughing even after he realized he’d thrown his drink on the wrong person. Not cool.”
Wes just shrugs. “I mean, I don’t know what to tell you, sis. He said he’s coming tonight. I told him you’re coming. I hope it’s not gonna be uncomfortable.”
I stare at him, and then I stare at Sabrina. “Sabrina, why did I let you convince me to hang out with my brother tonight?”
“Brothers,” Wes says with a cocky grin. “Miles is going to be there, as well.”
“I know, but you guys are like cock blocks. No one’s going to come up to me to chat or flirt.”
“Didn’t you just say a dude just texted you to go for ice cream?” he says. “What other guys do you want?”
“Fine,” I say, texting Darren back quickly.
“Ice cream under the stars sounds amazing. What time are you thinking? I do have plans earlier with my friend.” I press send before I can stop myself.
“I sent it,” I say to Sabrina. “Do you think I should have played a little harder to get? I mean, it’s the same day. Should I have pretended that?—”
“Don’t pretend anything,” Sabrina says. “It’s so much better when you’re honest, and this way you’ll know.”
“Yeah, true. I mean, what an amazing meet-cute, if he turns out to be the one,” I say dreamily, thinking about Darren, with his blond hair and blue eyes.
He is the epitome of a golden boy. And I am here for it.
I am here for a hottie to date and be my first. But I’m not gonna say that in front of Wes.
I do not need him telling me to wait for marriage.
“So, where exactly are we going?” I take a seat on the edge of the bed and study my nails.
“And do I have time to take off this chipped nail polish and redo it? Because I don’t want Darren thinking I’m a slob.
Also, I should really change.” I look down at my faded jeans and basic white blouse.
“I know I wasn’t looking all that when we met, but I don’t want to look like a frump again tonight. ”
“You do not look like a frump,” Sabrina says quickly. “You’re beautiful. Plus, you should see if he likes you at your worst, and then you know he’ll love you at your best.”
“What are you saying?” I blink and then glare at her. “Are you saying I look like trash?”
“No, you don’t look like trash.”
“Sis, you look beautiful. Do you look like you’re ready to go to a nightclub? No, but that’s good. You want to dress casually. You don’t want to be all boobs and butt out and have him thinking that you’re just up for a good time.”
“Why is my brother talking about my boobs and my butt? Ugh.” I pretend to throw up.
Wes rolls his eyes. “You’re so immature, Erica.”
“And you are so annoying, Wes,” I say, and Sabrina just giggles.
“Guys, come on. Erica, you look great.”
“Uh-huh. I feel like I’ve lost my best friend to my annoying older brother.
” I’m only half telling the truth and half joking, but I feel bad at the guilty expression on Sabrina’s face.
“It’s okay,” I say. “Look, I get it. You guys just got together, and you’re in love and want to spend all your time together.
And honestly, I know that whatever I tell you is gonna get back to Wes anyway. ”
“No, if you told me to keep a secret, I would totally keep a secret,” Sabrina says quickly.
Wes frowns. “So, you’re saying you wouldn’t tell me absolutely everything?”
“I mean, if Erica has said, it’s between us, it will remain between us. Do you have a problem with that?”
“No,” He smiles. “I do not want to be privy to your private conversations.”Wes heads out of the bedroom. “I’m gonna go text Miles. Just let me know when you’re ready, and we’ll head out.”
“Okay,” Sabrina says, walking over and kissing him on the cheek before closing the door slowly. She heads over to the mattress and takes a seat next to me. I can see there’s slight anxiety and remorse in her eyes.
She grabs my hands and squeezes. “Hey, I think I owe you an apology.”
“What?” I stare at her, feeling bad but waiting to hear what she is gonna say.
“I feel like you’re upset that I’m spending so much time with Wes now, and we don’t have as much time together. He’s all up in your business and”—she makes a face—“he’s annoying about it.”
“He is very annoying about it. I love him, but ugh.”
She makes a face. “I promise that I’m not going to speak about your boy issues with him.”
“Even if he says, 'but we’re together, and I love you?’” I say in a sing-song voice. And she laughs.
“No, you’re my best friend. And whatever is private for you stays between us.
You have my word, Erica. I don’t want you to ever think you can’t trust me.
I love your brother, but you’ve been my best friend practically my entire life.
And well, that means something. Our bond is sacred to me.
” She gives me a warm smile. “So, has Darren responded? Do you think he could be the one? Tell me more.”
I lean back in the bed and let out a dreamy sigh.
I close my eyes and picture his face. “He’s really cute, Sabrina.
He has these pink lips and perfect white teeth and big blue eyes and this floppy blond hair that you just want to reach over and smooth it down.
He was kind of funny and charming. I mean, he likes theater.
Yeah, maybe he doesn’t have money, but I don’t care. ”
“You don’t think he’s with you because of your money, do you?” she asks softly.
I open my eyes and look at her, shaking my head. “No, I kinda...” I sigh and make a face. “I kind of gave him a different name.”