Allison’s POV:
“You what?!” I exclaimed
“I called that James guy and gave him your number.” Mel repeated “He even sounds cute.”
I couldn’t believe it. After I had told Mel I didn’t want to call him, she went and called him. Giving him my number. “Really, Mel?” I said in disbelief.
“Yes really. You need a man. You’ve just been moping around since Kasey and it’s about time you start dating.” she argued.
I rolled my eyes and went back into my room, feeling my cheeks redden. Oh great. James probably thinks I’m stupid or something…I can’t believe Mel actually called him, but on one hand, I’m furious. On the other, I am kind of grateful…now I don’t have to be the one to call him. It’s in his ballpark. He can call me and I can sit here and wait.
Little did I know…the waiting would not be very long, because just then, my phone started ringing. It was James.
James’ POV:
I nervously tapped my foot as I waited for her to answer. “Hello?” a voice called from the other line.
“Allison?” I asked. Just making sure that Melanie, or whomever, didn’t have her phone or that Melanie hadn’t given me a fake.
“Yes. Listen…I’m sorry about, Mel…she means well, but she’s crazy.” Allison laughed
I laughed “That’s ok…so…you’re not mad she gave me your number?”
“I was at first, but I’m OK now…”
“Why were you at first?” I asked
“Well…you see…I know who you are. I didn’t when we met, but now I know and I was skeptical about calling an athlete.” she confessed
What did she mean by that? What did my being an athlete have to do with anything? “Oh…”
“Yeah…you see…I have been in relationships with athletes before and I always end up getting hurt…” she continued
Relationships? What the fuck? I thought she just wanted a guide around the ‘Burgh…even though I had only been here awhile…”Uh…what?”
“What?” she repeated
“Nothing. Sorry. Anyways, I can show you around town tonight if you want. I know of a few restaurants and stores that are pretty good.” I played it off…maybe she was just nervous and thought I wanted some sort of relationship. She was cute and all, but she wasn’t really the kind of girl I usually went after…
“Oh…okay. Sounds good to me. What time?” she asked
“Well…I don’t know where you live…so…”
“Oh god…I’m sorry. I live in those new apartment places off of 6th street…”
Damn…right up the road even. “Okay. I can be there in 10.”
“Okay. See you soon. Bye.” she said
“Bye.” I replied hanging up my phone.
I grabbed quickly ran some water over my face, grabbed a Steelers’ cap and grabbed my keys and headed out the door.
Allison’s POV:
“He probably thinks I’m a bimbo.” I sighed
“I doubt that.” Mel assured me
I shook my head “You should have heard me. I rambled about how I didn’t really date athletes and he was like all confused and shit. I mean he thinks I just want him to guide me around…”
Melanie laughed “So? He probably thinks you were just clarifying incase he thought you were interested…and if you really aren’t interested…then there’s no harm done in having him be your friend.”
I glared at her “You were the one who called him so I could find a date! Now you’re saying ‘Oh you can just be friends with him.’”
Mel blinked “God, Allison, lighten up! I’m sure he doesn’t think you’re interested.”
“I should kill you…”
Melanie rolled her eyes “Hey, I’m trying to help. I thought you liked him.”
“I did…until I found out he was a douche!”
“How do you know he’s a douche?”
“He is an athlete, Mel. They’re all douches.” I replied
Melanie raised her left eyebrow “Well…just imagine that he isn’t an athlete. Just go back to the grocery store.”
“I already told him I knew!” I confessed
“Oh…well maybe he is different. Give him a chance.”
Before I could argue or agree, James got there and Mel pushed me out the door.
James’ POV:
I looked at her as she slid into my Sedan. Her blonde hair was lightly brushing against her shoulders and she was wearing a Mets’ hoodie. She was the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my whole life…I assumed she already had a boyfriend and she really just needed a guide, but some part of me wanted her to be single.
“Hi.” she said with a smile
“Hey.” I replied smiling back “So…are you hungry? We can go to Primanti’s. Best sandwiches in…well…in anywhere. I have been a few places and no one makes sandwiches like Primanti’s.”
She smiled “Sounds good.”
I smiled back and drove to Primanti Brother’s. “So…why did you move here?”
“Just for a change of scenery. New York gets boring after a while…don’t get me wrong, I love New York, but you get sick of car alarms, gun shots and dogs barking.” she joked.
I laughed “Oh yeah and in Canada you get sick of the moose and snow.”
She smiled “You’re from Canada?”
I looked at her confused. “You really don’t know about me do you?”
Allison looked down “Not really…I know that you play hockey and that I saw you play once at the Garden…I think you played for a different team then…”
I blinked “Dallas?”
She shrugged “I’ll confess…I don’t know much about hockey…A friend of mine dated a few minor league players…but other than that…no…well I date a couple too…”
That’s when it hit me…oh shit…what if she’s a puck-bunny? “Oh?”
She busted up laughing “I’m just kidding. I’m a die hard Islanders fan. I’ve seen you play with Pittsburgh and Dallas.”
I smiled, relieved. Bunnies were bad news. I had fucked a few in my life time, but after the last one called Flower “that blocking guy.” I decided the sex wasn’t worth the stupidity. Not that I wanted to fuck Allison. She didn’t seem like the type that would let just any guy into her pants. “Funny.”
“So…can I ask you a question?” she asked as we pulled into Primanti’s parking lot.
“Sure.” I replied taking off my seat belt.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked and I froze completely. Shit...