priorities-2

26

A month later:

ames there, and then one here."I'll be right back," I decide to hide my disappointment and go check the mail. Iopen the box and inside is a fancy envelope, a wedding invitation from Carrie andHunter. I return to the house, John's in the exact same spot he was in when I left but hisbacon is gone, "We have an invitation to Carrie's wedding," I tell him."When are they getting married," he asks."July, right after she graduates," I smile. "They're getting married in New York, it'sgoing to be great!""Why are you grinning?" he asks."They're getting married in the New York Public Library! That's so romantic! Justthink about it, Carrie writes books and Hunter's an editor, there isn't a more perfect orromantic place for them to get married!""I'm going to lose my breakfast," he kids."You are so unromantic," I complain. "I could only imagine where you might wantto marry me, somewhere cold like an arena, or a field out in nowhere," I complain."If I HAD to remarry you that is! Why repeat the same mistake," he jokes.I'm dying to find out who chose the venue so I hit social media and find Carrieonline. I ask who picked it, and she said Hunter did, he's always wanted to get marriedthere 

"When do we leave for Toronto," I ask as I start putting the morning dishes away."This afternoon, but I don't have a ticket for you," he says apologetically."I want to come," I say disappointed."We can try," he says, "I'd love it if you're there."I go into our bedroom and pack a bag. Worst case scenario, I don't get on the planeand cab it back home, not a big deal. Once I'm confirmed, I text Ted from the airporttelling him I'm going to be at the Florida game. I'll screenshot my ticket for him when Iget that too.

Florida walks all over Toronto, but that's expected because they're one of theweakest teams. John is elated because he scored twice. Ted was working tonight butreally far from where I was sitting so we didn't get a chance to connect. John wasinterviewed and signed a few autographs before we could make our way back to thehotel. I didn't want to impose on Ted and stay at the apartment although I'm sure itwould have been okay. 

I'm starting to realize that a hockey players life and a singers life aren't thatdifferent at all, and it gave me a sense of self-worth I don't seem to have anymore. I alsokind of feel lonely in the stands without Carrie. This life isn't as fulfilling as I pictured itto be, living in someones shadow. My inner social goddess is clamouring to get out. Wecall it an early night because John plays again tomorrow.

The next day well before the game, John takes me back to my old apartment so Ican pack up my belongings and make sure everything gets shipped properly to Florida. Iuse my key rather than knock. I swing the door wide and sitting in the living room isHunter, Ted, and Carrie, "Hi guys!" I greet everyone, John's standing behind me.Carrie quickly glances past him, "Brandon's not with me," he answers her unspokenquestion. 

Carrie can't really ignore his comment in front of Hunter, "Leonardo? I wasn'tlooking for him, I was just making sure the door was closed."John snickers, "Of course you weren't.""You remember Hunter," I reintroduce. The two men shake hands, "and Ted." Johnnods sitting next to Hunter."Can I get you something," I offer John."No, I'm good, you need help packing?" He asks."No," I respond glancing at Carrie, "We got the invitation, thanks!""Did you like it?" She asks "Very nice," I compliment. (It's no better than what you would expect an invitationto look like, but I play up to it anyway.)"Good game, last night," Ted compliments."Thanks," John says, "Playing again tonight.""Sucks, I'm not working tonight," Ted comments. "I would love to watch you play.""I can get you a ticket next to Mya if you want to go, just let me know," John offers."Serious? That's sick!" He says.John doesn't offer Carrie or Hunter, I'm not sure if it's an oversight or intentional.He glances at Hunter, "Not sure if I can get three, I can text Carrie if I can.""I'm going back to New York tonight, but thanks for the offer," Hunter saysbecause he has to. You can tell he's straining to be polite.

Carrie's quiet, staring at John. I bet she's wishing Brandon was behind him. She'snot arrogant or self-centred, I think her problem is that she's a die-hard romantic and ifshe lived in the stone ages, she would want them battling with swords over her and thenand only then would she be without a doubt sure, who she should chose. It's almost likeshe doesn't trust her own judgement when it comes to the romance department and whenyou have two different and amazing guys going after you, how do you pick?

I don't have her unfortunate problems. I have philanderers always after me, oneswho don't understand the word monogamous. My decision is based entirely on who willcheat on me less? Then I pick that guy, the one who might only have one or two affairs,as opposed to ten. I don't get the cream of the crop, or loyal ones. They go for theCarrie's of the world. I will say that although Slasher will probably never know whatloyal means, he was fun as hell. Never a dull moment, and singing with him was a blast,but at what cost? It's not like I could ever see him settling down in one town to start ahome life. 

That's more of a Hunter or John thing to do.Packing my stuff doesn't take as long as I expect and I join everyone back in theliving room after I crack a cold one and sit at John's feet on the floor. "Kind of early todrink isn't it, we can make room for you on the couch," he offers."It's not that early," I defend myself. "I'm good down here.""You could learn from her," Hunter jokes to Carrie, because of where I'm seated."I will never be subservient to a man, not even just sitting," she differentiatesherself from me.

"I'm hardly subservient," I defend myself, "I just don't want other's to getuncomfortable on my account. It's not all about ME," I emphasize."Are you saying I'm self-centred?" Her feathers are tethered."If the shoe fits," I snap."Okay kittens," Ted tries lightening the mood."Fuck off," Carrie puts him in his place. He didn't like that and leaves the room. 

"Leave it to him to bud in, if it wasn't for him you'd still be dead," I rub it in."You can stop with that," Carrie growls."You're comment angered me," I explain. "I didn't mean it." I tell her."Don't worry about it," Carrie sweeps it under the rug. "I had it coming but fromHunter and Leonardo , not you.""Obviously Hunter isn't too bothered by it," I observe directly in front of him."He gets the reasoning behind it, and knows I'll never do it again," Carrie explains."Does Leonardo get the reasoning too, was he given a second chance as well, orwere you really looking for him when we came in.""You can leave now," She hisses."Just sayin," I comment."Don't come to the wedding if you don't support our relationship," she warns me."Maybe you should resolve a few things before the day comes so I can go to thewedding." 

"Mya!" Warns John. He gets up,

 "We better go," he suggests. 

"Not a minute too soon," Hunter comments. 

"You can fuck off," John takes offence. 

"Good luck tonight," Hunter sneers.We leave.