Page 66 of My Brother's Enemy
“Of course. That’s good. Listen, uh, there’s another reason I was calling. First, I meant the offer as a friend. I can’t imagine?—”
I coughed to shut him up and raised my voice. “Yeah. It’s okay. I don’t want to rehash it.”
“Of course. Of course, but…” He cleared his throat. “We’ve got more of the eastern teams coming. We’re playing Griffin’s previous team early next week and then Montreal after Thanksgiving. With the holiday, and knowing about your situation, I wondered if you wanted to watch the game with me? In the owner’s suite.” When I didn’t reply right away, he added, “No one has to know you’re there. Just you, watching the game.”
A tornado took root inside of me, churning and twisting and causing all sorts of damage.
Daniel.
He’d be here, the day after Thanksgiving. They were playing that Friday night against the Grays.
Dane was one sort of monster. Cold. Ignoring me. But Daniel. He was a different beast.
“I…” I forgot who else was in the car for a moment. My voice dropped, and I held onto that steering wheel so tightly, trying to focus on my driving. “Maybe. Maybe? Can I make a decision later?”
“Of course. And I meant it about a glass of wine as well.”
“Thank you, Mal.”
“Of course. And if there’s anything the team or I can do for you, just let me know. Have a good night.” He signed off first, leaving the car in silence.
Daniel.
If I went to the game, I’d have to see him again. In person. The day after Thanksgiving. Our dad had been there for Dane’s game. Would he be at Daniel’s too? Did our dad even still live in Minneapolis?
“Mal, huh?”
I sighed and closed my eyes. “I almost forgot you were in the car. Can we rewind a few minutes?”
“Har har. So…” He turned to face me.
I glanced over. He wasn’t going to let this go. I was still going to try. “Can you not?”
“Not a chance. You and the owner of an NHL team? Why’d you fuck me when you can fuck him instead?”
My mouth dropped open. “Tyler!”
He raised an eyebrow. “I said what I said. What are you doing with me?”
“Well, right now, we’re looking foryoursister. Or did you forget Skylar?”
“I raised my sister. I’d never forget her.” He thought a moment and cringed. “Except I did for a bit, but I was distracted. By you. You distracted me.”
I was about done with members of the opposite sex blaming me for their mistakes. “You might want to rephrase that statement. Right now.”
He continued to study me. “I said what I said. What are you doing with me? He’s a billionaire, you know.” He leaned closer, dropping his voice. “And if he says he wants to be friends, he’s lying. He wants to fuck you. He just might keep you around a bit longer afterward. That’s all that means.”
“You are such a jackass.”
“Yeah. I am, but I’m not lying. That man doesn’t want to be friends. Are you fucking him already?”
“Stop talking. Please.” The bar came into view, and I hit the turn signal. I’d never been more grateful to see a bar in my life. “We’re here.”
Tyler kept quiet until after I parked and shut the engine off. Then he leaned over. “If you’re fucking us both, keep it clean. Safe sex and all.” He was out of the car before I could even process what he’d said. His door slammed shut.
As soon as I did, I exploded after him. “Hey!” I yelled.
He ignored me, already halfway to the entrance. He’d shoved his hands into the front of his hoodie, pulling the sweatshirt tight around his shoulders. He’d put a ballcap on low and his hood up over the back of his hat.
