Either You Do...Or You Don't

Chapter 11-

Allison’s POV:

Three weeks…three long, lonely weeks without my best friend and my now ex-boyfriend. I folded up the last of the boxes that once held my things. I moved into a small house 5 miles outside of Pittsburgh. Knock knock. “Who could that be…” I asked myself as I headed to the door, opening it.

“Hello!” Geno said smiling. Kris Letang and Deryk Engelland, who were behind him, waved.
“Hi, guys…what are you doing here?”

“We came to see if you wanted to go out for pizza with us. We haven’t seen you in a long time, because well…you know…and we have the next two days off before our trip to Canada.” Deryk explained

“I don’t know…I mean don’t you feel like you’re betraying James?” I asked

“Nealer is a fucking idiot.” Deryk started

“He’s stupid for what he did.” Kris added

“Come on. It be fun!” Geno smiled

I smiled, “Okay. I have to get ready quick.”

The guys nodded and I headed into my bedroom, changing into some nice jeans and a nicer shirt with a jacket. “Ready?” Geno asked

“Yep.” I nodded, following them to Deryk’s car. With that, we headed off into town…

James’ POV:

“So…is it officially over?” Jen asked me, as she put the last of the kid’s toys away. I was hanging out over at her house and we had just put the kids down for a nap.

“I don’t know…” I sighed. I had told her everything about what happened with Allison…the stuff with Melanie…the miscarriage…the lying…the cheating…everything.

“James…” she sighed

“What?”

“I don’t know…I just feel like you two aren’t good together…something bad always seems to happen…”

I shrugged, “I think it’s just because neither of us want to commit yet…”

“I think it’s cause she’s a bitch and has the wool pulled over your eyes.”

“Jenny…”

“I’m sorry. I just don’t like her.”

“I know that…”

“So…when will you be home? I mean after you leave?” she asked, referring to our up and coming Canada tour.

“Uh…two weeks? The first day we’ll be in Vancouver, then Toronto, then Ottawa and lastly Montreal before home..”

“Busy…busy…the kids miss you.”

I looked down, “I know. I miss them too. My schedule has been ridiculous this season.”

Jen nodded. She didn’t mind it really. Usually, during the season was the only time she got to see the kids. I took them home to Canada with me during the Summer and Jen usually stayed here in Pittsburgh. “James…there’s something I want to discuss with you…about the kids…”

“What about them?” I asked, confused.

“Well…I want to move back to Dallas.” she started. “And…I…I can’t just leave the kids. I hate asking this of you, but even though you have custody, they are my kids…and…I want them to come with me…”

“Are you asking me to give up the rights to my children?” I was shocked. I couldn’t believe this was happening

“Why do you have to put it that way? Let me finish…they’re mostly with me during the season anyways…and…well…I figured that you could allow them to live with me in Dallas and during the off-season, they’ll live with you here or in Canada.”

“I…I don’t know. I’ll have to think about this…”

“James, it’s what’s best for the kids and you know it. It’s too much on them to be moved around every other week or so…and on holidays, we will get together, if we can. Just please consider this.”
“I should get going…I have to meet Paul at 4:30. I’m going to say bye to the kids.” I headed into Nolan’s room and smiled down at him. He was sleeping with a small hockey stick that I had given him for his last birthday. I kissed him on the forehead and headed into Lyvia’s room. I smiled at her and she stirred a little, but remained asleep. I kissed her cheek and pulled the small blanket up on her.

“Call me tomorrow?” Jen asked, when I returned to the living room

I nodded, “Yeah. I’ll try.”

“Okay.”

I grabbed my keys and headed out to my car. I sat down in the driver’s seat and sighed…Jennifer was right…it was hard on all four of us moving the kids around so much. They would be better off living with her during season and with me in the off-season…even though that meant I’d barely get to see them, but this wasn’t about me…it was about the kids…and what was best for them.

Notes