Allison's POV:
James didn’t answer me. He just gripped the steering wheel, even though we were parked, and looked at his feet. “No?”
That’s how he said it. Like he was asking me. I stared at him and smiled “OK.”
He came out of his trance and we went into Primanti Brother’s. It smelled amazing. James ordered his food and a Coke. I figured he’d know what to get, so I ordered the same. “So…how’s it going with the lockout?” I asked, trying to make small talk.
James shrugged “Eh…it sucks. I just want to be playing again. I just wish they’d get their shit together.”
I nodded “Yeah.”
“I mean I know that the season would have technically just started last week, but still. They had all summer to deal with this.”
“Hopefully they reach an agreement soon.” I smiled
James smiled back “So…to ask you your question. Do you have a man in your life”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the way he worded it “Nope. I am single.”
He nodded “That makes the two of us. Well…I’ve only been single for like a month.”
“Oh…” I replied thinking maybe he still liked this girl.
“Yeah, but I fucked things up bad…I wasn’t happy with her…and I screwed up. She hates my guts.”
I couldn’t help but feel like there was more that he wasn’t telling me, but I didn’t want to pry. “My ex was an ass. So I ended it officially. We were on and off for almost a year or two.”
“Damn…I’m sorry.” James said taking a huge bite of his sandwich.
I took a bite of mine and damn…it was the best thing ever. “Mmmm…”
James laughed “You like?”
I could only nod as a reply. For the rest of the meal, we didn’t talk much. We just ate, occasionally asking a question or two.
James’ POV:
I pulled up to her apartment and looked at her. She smiled at me and I smiled back “So…you want to hang out tomorrow?”
She bit her lip “Actually…I already have plans. I’ll call you…okay?”
I nodded “Okay. Have a good night.”
Allison smiled again and headed to the apartment. I waited for her to get inside before driving off. My thoughts were racing very fast and I needed advice. Advice that only one person was good at giving. Advice that I had needed for the first time. I needed girl advice from Sidney Crosby.
I pulled into the Lemieux’s driveway, where I knew Sid would be. He was a boarder there again while his new house a few blocks down was being painted. I went straight to the guest wing. Mario was used to it. Sid had guests frequently…well by guests I mean me, Flower, Geno, and Jack Johnson when he was in town.
I knocked steadily on the door and he opened it “Hey, Nealer!”
“I need help.” I said pushing him inside, not even waiting for an invitation.
“What kind of help? Are the cops after you?” Sidney joked
“No! Girl advice!” I whispered
“Why are you whispering?” he asked
“I don’t know…”
Sidney shook his head, grabbing a water from the fridge and handing it to me. “What do you need help with?” he asked, sitting across from me.
“I met this girl Allison at Whole Foods…she just moved her with her friend and I’m showing her around town…”
“You are just showing her? Or her and this friend?” Sidney interrupted
“Just Allison…well and thing is…I think I like her.” I confessed
“You think?” Sidney asked
“Well…she is way different from my type…but I just…I feel attracted to her.” I told him. I know that sounds stupid, but it was the truth.
Sidney nodded “I see. What’s the problem?”
“I’m a douche is the problem. I’m a pathological cheater, but this girl makes me want to stop cheating…she makes me want to be committed.” I said
Sid blinked “Well then. What’s stopping you from asking her out?”
I breathed deep before I told him the next part. “I still have feelings for Jen.”
“Oh…” Sid replied
“Yeah…”
“Well…I’d get closure with Jennifer and then pursue Allison.”
I stared at him “That won’t be easy…”
“I know, but you don’t want to start building a relationship with Allison and have Jen come back and get in between it…” Sidney explained
“You’re right…I should go. Thanks. Bye, Sid.” I sighed and drove home, walking into my place and seeing the one person I really didn’t want to at that moment. Jennifer.
“Jamesy! You’re home.” she slurred. She was drunk off her ass.
“Jen…how’d you get in?” I asked, setting my keys on the table.
“You keep your key in the mailbox…” she smirked walking up to me and kissing me. “Jamesy, baby…I’m sorry…”
“Sorry?” I was confused. She had no reason to be sorry.
“Yeah…I’m sorry that I didn’t fuck you enough so you had to go out and get it from some other girl…but things will be different now.” she stammered.
I couldn’t believe what she was saying “What do you mean…”
“I want you back, James. I want there to be an ‘us’ again.” she kissed me again and I could almost taste the vodka on her breath.
“Jen…” I stuttered
She put her finger to my lips and kissed me again “Don’t speak, James…Just kiss me.” What happened next was completely idiotic and stupid…and I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for it. I kissed her back…