The Summer Proposal by Vi Keeland

“I’m here. Will you at least come to my game tomorrow night? It’s at home again. You can’t make me play without my good luck charm. You can give it to security if you don’t want to wait around after.”

I looked down at Yoda in my hand. “Sure. I suppose coming to another game is harmless.”

“Bring a friend, if you want. I’ll leave two tickets at the will call booth.”

“Okay.”

“Excellent. It’s getting late, so I’ll let you go.”

“Goodnight, Max.”

“Sweet dreams, Georgia.”





CHAPTER 4




* * *



Georgia



“Hi.” I stepped up when it was my turn at the ticket booth. “I’m picking up two tickets for the game tonight.”

“Your name and ID, please?”

I slid my license to the other side. “Georgia Delaney.”

He held up a finger. “You’re Yearwood’s guest. Hang on a second. He left a bag for you, too.”

I looked over at Maggie and shrugged.

She grinned. “I hope it’s snacks. I’m hungry. Twizzlers would be nice.”

I chuckled. “We’re early. We can get something inside.”

A minute later the guy in the booth came back. He slid two tickets across the counter and then a logoed Wolverines bag. Since there was a line behind me, I stepped away before opening it. “Thank you.”

Inside, there was an envelope on top, so I opened it and slid out a piece of thick cardstock. The handwriting was neat and very slanty.



Wear my name on your back tonight. It might be the only chance I get.



X

Max



P.S. There’s a Wolverines shirt in here for your friend. Unless you brought a date. If that’s the case, fuck ’em. He’s not getting shit.



I laughed and handed Maggie the card.

She read it and grinned. “I like him already. He’s hot, wants to put you in his seat with his name on your back, and has gifts for your friend. If you don’t wind up going out with this guy, I’m warning you, I’ll be giving him my number.”

I shook my head with a smile. “Come on, let’s go change and get you some snacks before the game starts.”

We arrived at our seats carrying two hot dogs, ginormous sodas, and a large pack of Twizzlers. The same woman was sitting in the adjoining seat as last time.

“Hi, Jenna.”

“Hey, Georgia. I heard you might be here tonight.”

I settled into my seat with a furrowed brow. “You heard?”

“My husband asked Max if anyone was using his seats. My mother-in-law was thinking about coming. Max said his tickets were being used by his new green-eyed lucky charm. I had a feeling he meant you. By the way, thank you for being here. You saved me three hours with my horrible mother-in-law.”

I laughed and pointed to Maggie. “This is my friend Maggie. Maggie, this is Jenna. She’s married to one of the players.”

“Great to meet you.” Maggie leaned over me. “So, do you know Max pretty well?”

“Well enough that I’ve seen his ass more than once.” Jenna smiled. “We have a summer home out east, and it has an outdoor shower. Max loves it, and I can’t get him to keep his bathing suit on when he uses it.”

“Nice.” Maggie smiled. “Can I ask you a question about him?”

Jenna shrugged. “Sure.”

“Would you let your little sister date him?”

“I don’t have one. But I did try to set him up with my best friend, if that answers your question. She’s a model and was very into him. They met at a party at my house, and at the end of the night she asked him if he wanted to go somewhere and hang out more. He declined, saying he had to get up early the next morning. He definitely could have had a good time and then ditched her. But instead, he kept things friendly. When I asked him the next day what he thought about her, he said she was really cool, but he wasn’t into her that way and didn’t want to take advantage. Not too many single guys would have done that seeing as Lana has been in the Victoria’s Secret catalog.”

Maggie aimed a gloating smile my way. “Good to know. Thank you.”

The game started, and Maggie and I really got into it. Having someone to cheer with made all the difference. We stood when Max’s team scored, booed when the visiting team did, and during intermission, Jenna brought us to some secret wives’ suite where we had cocktails and everyone was super friendly. At one point during the third period, Max scored. When the camera zoomed in on his smiling face, I could’ve sworn he looked right at me and winked, which made the crowd go crazy. I was certain every other woman in the arena thought it was for her, too.

During the last period, the usher who had showed us to our seats came by. He handed me another envelope and two lanyards. I recognized the all-access pass from the one Jenna had let me borrow last time. The women on both sides of me grinned as I slipped the card out of the envelope.



In case you want to return my little friend in person, rather than leaving him with security.

I hope to see you.



X

Max



• • •



“Can you tell me how we got here?” I shook my head and spoke to Maggie as I stared across the bar.