priorities-2

27

"That didn't go well," I try lightening the mood."What were you trying to instigate," John asks me."I don't know, she does things that gets on my nerves.""I hate that dude, he is so old." John comments. "He could pass for her father.""They're eleven years apart.""What does she see in him?" He asks, "He's so arrogant.""He's sexy, mature, a brilliant editor, has his own plane, Slasher's brother, I couldgo on.""Please don't," he stops me. "I wanted to tell him where to go when he wished meluck for tonight.""It's kind of your fault, you were quick to offer Ted a ticket and not them.""It's not easy getting tickets this late for tonight's game." He explains. "If it was Iwould have offered everyone right away."With the way Ted stormed off, I'm not sure if he's coming to tonight's game so Itext him while we're in the car: 

Me: Are you still coming to tonights game?Ted: Wouldn't miss it. I'm not mad at you, I'm upset with Carrie.Me: I'm sorry about that.Ted: Glad you spoke up to her today, it's what I've been thinking but not saying.Me: You have to live with her, it's better to stay out of everything if I were you.Ted: Agreed.Me: Meet me at the box office, there will be a ticket there for you.John and I take a cab to the game. It's nice that we agree on one thing, Carrie didn'tgive Leonardo a fair chance. He kisses me good-bye and I wait for Ted who shows up tenminutes later. He's got a big smile on his face, "This is better than working the venue!Where are our seats?"

"We are sitting just behind the Florida bench." I grin. The only better seats would be on John's lap but I don't feel Ted would agree. Ted's really grateful for the seat, so he insists on buying the popcorn, he knows I love popcorn at games and gets a huge bucket and two drinks that we can share as we watch the game, "These are great seats! Thanks Mya." "Thank John," I inform him, "I had nothing to do with getting them." Ted shoves popcorn into his mouth, "I never seen you and Carrie fight like that before."

"We don't fight very often," I tell him nursing my coke. "I just think Hunter got theupper hand.""Most definitely, Carrie doesn't think Leonardo's made an effort to see her.""He hasn't has he?" I start thinking Ted knows more than he's letting on.John scores, and we're on our feet hooting and hollering. His stick is in the air, hisleg raised, he's happy."You have to promise not to say anything," he warns."Promise," I lie."I was checking the mail and Leonardo came by last week to see Carrie, I told himshe was in New York and he left," he admits. 

I smile going along with him, "And was she in New York?""No," he chuckles, "She was in her bedroom. I told you I was into Carrie, the lastthing I'm going to do is help another dude get her. It's bad enough I'm competing for heraffections against Hunter, I don't need a hockey superstar in the mix. I'll never win.""You have got to be kidding," I cackle. "Thank goodness she didn't hear you," Iremark. I thought he was on the up and up until now. He's playing around with her, andpreventing her from being with the possible father of her child. She hasn't been an angelbut that doesn't give Ted the right to insinuate his way into her life on false pretences."I said it really casually, I even believed myself," He tells me."So you haven't dated anyone since your ex-girlfriend?" I ask.He takes a sip of his drink, "I don't like anyone except Carrie. I don't want tosettle," he says casually."No you shouldn't settle," I say more under my breath than to him.John doesn't score anymore but the game is close. Florida wins 5:4 and now we goback home. 

I'm not sure if John wants me to invite Ted out for a late bite to eat, so instead, Ifake a headache and ditch him before meeting up with him after his shower."That was a great game," I tell him once he's returned to our meeting point. He'sdressed in a suit and his hair is still damp. "Now we can go home!" I say excited. Hecloaks his arm around me, his muscle bulging into the back of my neck, I miss this."Ted's gone already?""Ya, he loved the game but couldn't wait to go home. He told me to tell youcongratulations. Have you spoken to Leonardo very recently?" 

"No, why?""Ted told me he tried visiting Carrie, but when he answered the door, he lied andsaid Carrie was in New York.""Why'd he do that?""He's into her.""He literally told you he lied to Leonardo ?""Yup! You should tell him." I suggest. "I don't want to have anything to do with it.""Either do I," he agrees. "I guess if he wants to see her badly enough, he'll try to seeher again. I just want to go home.""Me too."The honeymoon stage of our relationship ignited. He pays more attention to menow than he ever has