Page 8 of Hockey Player Seeking Fan (Billionaires Seeking Wives Club #2)

I take a long gulp of the beer. “So, you’re going on a date with a guy named Darren, who you just met while waiting in line at the—” And suddenly it hits me, Elliott had told me a similar story.

Elliott had met a girl, and he told her his name was Darren, but it couldn’t be Erica, could it?

. There was no way the nerd he was talking about was Erica.

But wait, hadn’t he said she was a theater nerd who had gone to Columbia?

Erica had attended Columbia. All of a sudden, I want to burst out laughing.

“He’s the most romantic man in the world. I think he’s most probably a poet or something.” Erica is still going on. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he asked me to sail around the world with him while he writes his book. I could cook for us, and then we’d adopt a cute little dog, and?—”

“I see. He sounds like a really great guy. What does he look like?”

“Why?” she says, and then shrugs. “I mean, not that it matters. But he’s absolutely gorgeous, much better looking than you.” She looks me up and down. “He’s got blond hair and blue eyes, and he’s super buff and tan.”

“I see.” I’m trying not to laugh now. Poor girl is going to be in for a shock.

“We’re going for ice cream under the stars. And he’ll probably try to give me a kiss on the cheek, but I’ll offer him my hand so he knows I’m not easy, but he’s not like most men. He’s not looking to just bang.” She gives me a pointed look, and I don’t say anything.

I grab my phone and text Elliott back. “Where exactly are you taking your date tonight?”

He responds immediately. “I said we’d meet up somewhere, but I’m gonna get some ice cream and take her back to my place.” I press my lips together. One hundred percent, Erica’s Darren was my teammate, Elliott.

I debate whether or not I want to tell her.

I feel bad for her. I know Elliott, and he’s a pig.

He has only one thing on his mind. But she’s so caught up in the vision that he’s trying to be this gentleman who wants to spoil her, and I don’t want to be the one to burst her bubble.

“I guess maybe you have met the love of your life. Maybe this is the last time I will see you before you go on your trip around the world,” I say, trying not to laugh.

“Maybe tomorrow, he’ll fly you to Vegas, and he will ask you to marry you.

I mean, if he also thinks it’s love at first sight. ”

“Perhaps,” she says, her eyes spitting fireballs at me. “I’m not ruling anything out. He does seem like he’s a really romantic guy, and I think that he’s the sort of guy that will want to marry me quickly, and maybe tomorrow, he will hope for that to happen.”

“Perhaps.” My lips twitch. “I mean, he doesn’t have to work out or do anything tomorrow, right? Or have a game or anything later in the week?” She blinks at me in confusion. “What are you talking about? Work out for what? What game? He’s buff and built, yes, but he doesn’t live in the gym.”

“Yeah, I bet you he’s just naturally built, right?” I nod. “He’s probably thinking about how much he wants to spoil you right now.”

“I know it’s hard for you to believe, Tyler Kane, but there are actually gentlemen out there who want to take a woman out and treat her well. Who may see a future with her.”

“You’ve met this man how many times?” I ask, raising an eyebrow, debating if I should tell her that I know her date personally and that he’s definitely not a gentleman.

“I mean, we’ve only met once, but when you know, you know.” There’s a glint in her eyes like she believes the crap she’s spewing. “Like Sabrina and Wes.”

“But weren’t they friends for a really long time?”

“That’s not the point,” Erica says quickly. “Look, I am a true romantic, and I believe in things like love, and I’m sorry that you don’t.”

“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 a woman 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.