Either You Do...Or You Don't

James’ POV:

“Talk about what?” I asked

“Everything…” Allison sighed

Melanie nodded, “There’s a lot we need to talk about…”

“James, we got practice in five…” Paul reminded me

I sighed, “It’s optional…tell coach I have some personal business to take care of.”

Paul nodded, “Okay…good seeing you Melanie.”

“You too, Paul.” Melanie replied with a half smile

“Let’s go to the VIP room for some privacy.” I said, leading the way to one of our lounges at the arena. “Okay, let’s talk.”

Allison closed the door behind her, “I need to know something from you James. Melanie has already explained herself to me…but I need to know your answer. Why didn’t you just come out and tell me what was going on with Melanie? Why did you propose to me if you had feelings for my friend? Why didn’t you just tell me the truth and why do you continue to deny that you did anything wrong?!”

“I didn’t tell you, because I knew you’d be mad…and I didn’t want to lose you, but then things just started falling apart. I couldn’t stop thinking about Melanie…I just didn’t want you to get mad. I proposed because I thought things would get better…I thought that if we got married that the feelings would stop…but they didn’t…I lied because of all the above…” I took a deep breath before answering her final question, “And I denied it, because I thought that if I convinced myself that you were in the wrong and not me, that it would justify what I had done…”

Allison shook her head at me, “I just…you always said you’d forgiven me for what happened with Geno, but then you kept bringing it up…and I just…it hurts me, James.”

“I know that…I just…it was the only thing that I could say to you that would make what I did less bad…because it would make it like we were even or something…I know that’s stupid and childish, but that’s what happened…I guess what I’m saying is…things weren’t the same between us since you left with Max…and I should have told you, but I just…I really wanted things to work out, Allison…”

She nodded, “I want you to be happy. You too, Melanie. I mean…James…I did love you too, but if you were unhappy, you should have talked to me…we could have ended things…”
I nodded, “I know that, Allison.”

“Can I say something?” Melanie piped up. We both nodded and she continued, “I didn’t intentionally seek this out…it really did just happen…yes, I did like him while you two were together, but it never tried anything until you were broken up…I never meant to hurt you…”

Allison nodded, “I know that, Mel…I mean…I’ll be honest, James, things having been falling apart for me too…I knew something had been up with you, but I convinced myself it was just because of your concussion and that things would get better…but after a while, I realized it was something other than that…”

“You figured it was Jen…didn’t you?” I asked

Allison nodded, “Yeah…”

“That’s another story…she wants to take the kids to Dallas.”

“Are you serious? Are you going to let her?”

“I don’t know…” I sighed

Allison looked down, “There’s one last thing…”

Allison’s POV:

“What?” James asked, looking up at me

I took a deep breath before I started, “Earlier this year, when I was pregnant…”


“The baby was Geno’s.” he answered for me

“You knew?” I asked, shocked.

James nodded, “Yeah…Geno told me one night when we were out drinking that he had sex with you when we broke up. I put two-and-two together and figured it out.”

“You’re not mad?”

James shook his head, “No. I was actually relieved that you didn’t have sex with a random guy…yeah I was a little upset that you lied to me about it, but I guess turnarounds fair play, since I did the same thing to you…”

“So…what now?” I asked

“James, can you excuse me and Allison for a minute?” Melanie asked. James nodded and got up, leaving us. “Allison…you probably know that James and I are wanting to start dating…I do like him, a lot…and he says he feels the same about me. I want to have a relationship with him, but not if you still have feelings for him…I need to know that it’s over…”

“Melanie…I…I can’t answer that truthfully. I’m always going to have some kind of feelings for him. With that being said, I want you to be happy. If James makes you happy, I give you my blessing. But, you have to promise me something.”

“What’s that?” she asked

“If he ever treats you wrong, or hurts you in anyway…let me know and I’ll kick his ass.” I smiled, hugging her.

Melanie hugged me back tightly, “I will.” I was happy. Happy to have my best friend back. Happy that James and I finally had closure and that I was free to move on.

Notes