Allison's POV:
The next morning I grabbed my phone and called James. He didn’t answer, so I left him a message asking if he wanted to come over and hang out. He called me back a few minutes later. “Hey.” I said
“I got your message. I’d love to…do you want to go anywhere or just hang out at your place?” he asked
“Just hang out at my place.” I told him
“Okay. I can be over in a few minutes.” he replied
“Okay…see you soon!” I said hanging up the phone and changing into my grey yoga pants and my purple hoodie. I threw my hair up into a bun and put on some light make-up. I put some potato chips in a bowl and some French onion dip on a small plate. I put some music on and waited.
After a few minutes, the buzzer went off and I let James in. He was wearing tight dark jeans with a faded grey t-shirt with his Penguins windbreaker jacket and as usual a Pirates baseball cap…he looked sexy as hell. “Hi!”
“Hey! So what would you like to do?” he asked, stepping inside and slipping his shoes off.
“Well I figured we could watch a movie and eat some chips and dip…if you’re hungry.” I said, smiling.
“Well…I did just eat.” he confessed, “But chips and dip are always a great snack!”
I laughed “What can I get you to drink? We have Pepsi, Sprite, water, coffee, and beer.”
“A Pepsi would be fine.” James said with a smile.
I grabbed him a Pepsi and sat beside him on the couch. “So…what would you like to watch?”
“What do you have?”
I handed him the big folder that held all of mine and Mel’s movies. He smiled at me as he flipped through it before stopping at The Rundown and handing it to me. I put it in and sat back down, taking a handful of chips. “The Rock is so good in this movie.“ I said with a smile.
James nodded in agreement “He is really good in all his movies. I loved him in Fast Five.”
“I heard they’re coming out with a sixth film next year.”
“Really? Awesome!” he smiled. I smiled back and ate one of my chips. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, James.” I told him, wondering what he would have to ask.
“Would you think I’m a jackass if I told you that the other night I slept with my ex…she showed up at my place and I fucked up…I know I shouldn’t have…but it happened.”
I blinked…why was he asking me this? “No…I wouldn’t think that you’re a jackass…we all make mistakes…I mean if you think it was a mistake.”
He nodded “Yeah…I do…I mean Jen is nice and all, but being in a relationship with her is so draining…I had her come over today and I told her that despite what happened I wasn’t getting back with her and she got way pissed.”
“I’m sorry.” I told him.
“I want to be honest with you Allison.”
I stared at him confused “What do you mean?”
He took a deep breath and replied “I like you Allison…”
James’ POV:
I didn’t really even think about it. I just told her and by her expression, I knew that she knew what I meant by ‘like’. Allison knew that I didn’t mean that I liked her as a friend. She knew that I meant that I liked her as more than that. “Allison…”
She looked over at me “James…I don’t know what to say…”
“Then don’t say anything. I just want you to know that’s how I feel…and if you don’t feel that same way we can still be friends and hang out like this and I’d be OK with that. I just had to let you know.” I said and I meant it. I liked spending time with her and if she didn’t share my feelings, who cares? She would still be my friend no matter what.
Allison looked at me “James…the thing is…I do like you like that, but I don’t know if I want to be in a relationship right now…I mean I am still trying to get settled into the area and I don’t know what plans I have for my future…”
I nodded “That’s OK.”
She smiled at me “So friends for now? Maybe something more later?”
I nodded and smiled “Sounds good to me!”
Allison ate another chip “So…what’s new on the lockout?”
I shrugged “Nothing really…no deal has been reached…a few guys are already going overseas to play…most are staying here to help with the bargaining.” Sid was one of those guys. He tried going to every meeting they’d let him be in. A few other captains were doing the same thing. We had hoped the season would get started by now, since it’s October, but nothing.
Allison nodded sympathetically. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay…My friend Evgeni left for Russia this morning. Most of my team is staying here, though.”
“Evgeni Malkin, right?” she asked
I nodded “Yeah. Geno…Can I ask you something, Allison?”
“Sure and you can call me Ally if you want.” she smiled
I smiled back. “I like Allison. It’s a pretty name.”
“Thanks.” she said blushing
“Anyways…we have a Halloween party coming up and I was wondering if you’d like to go with…not as a date. Just for something fun. Melanie can come too.”
“Really? That sounds like fun.” she smiled “Do we have to dress up?”
I laughed “Of course. It’s a Halloween party!”
“What are you wearing?” she asked
“Can’t tell. It’s a secret.” I smiled
“Oh come on. Tell me!” she pressed
I smiled “No.”
Allison frowned “Please?”
“Oh ok…since you ask so nicely. I’m going to be the Fonz.”
She giggled “Really?”
I nodded, smiling. “Yeah.”
“Cool.” she smiled
I smiled back and ate a chip. For once, it was nice to just have someone to talk with and laugh with without the pressure of a relationship.