Either You Do...Or You Don't

James’ POV:

“Do you have to go?” Melanie asked, wrapping her arms around my waist

“Yes.” I laughed, “It’s my job.”

“But you’re going to be gone for so long…what will I do without you?” she teased with a snicker

I shook my head, “I’m sure you’ll think of something. Besides, ou can always call me or
FaceTime me. Not during a game, of course, but I’ll call you after every game and I’ll send you good night SnapChats. It’s only two weeks.”

“I know.” she replied, kissing me.

“I have to get going, Melanie…”

Melanie nodded, hugged me and kissed me once more. “Have a good trip. Call when you land?”

I smiled and nodded, kissing her on the check. “Of course.”

She gave me a small wave before heading back up into her apartment, when she got inside, I drove off towards the arena to head off to Canada for the tour.

Allison’s POV:

I chopped up the last of my celery and threw it into the pot I had simmering on the stove. I was making some homemade chicken noodle soup for Vero and Catherine, Kris Letang’s fiancée, who were coming over for supper

I turned the heat down and threw in a dash of salt and pepper. Just as I started stirring everything, my phone rang, it was Melanie. “Hey! Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. James just left for the arena, so I’m bored.” she laughed

“Oh…yeah. I forgot they head off to Canada today.”

“Are you busy today?” she asked

“Sort of. Some friends are coming over for supper.”

“Oh, that’s nice. I was thinking of going over to James’ place and cleaning out his fridge and tidying up. For a guy who isn’t home, he sure makes a mess.”

I laughed, “You’re telling me.”

“And I have to take this check to Jennifer for something…”

“Wait…what? What’s it for?” I asked, confused. James wasn’t required to pay her child support, so I was confused as to why he’d be giving her a check.

“I don’t know…I didn’t want to ask. I’m just dropping it off and then leaving…she’s sort of a bitch.”

I snorted. That was the understatement of the year. The girl was a complete psycho. When James and I were still together, she practically called him every day wanting his help with something. “Well, good luck. I gotta go though, I got to run to the store, I forgot bread for the sandwiches.”

“Okay. See ya.” she said hanging up

I sat my phone down, turned the soup off and grabbed my keys. There was a small bakery very close to me, so I didn’t have to travel far. I bought a loaf of French bread and headed back home.

James’ POV:

I arrived at the arena just in time for the charter to head to the airport. I hurriedly got to my seat beside Pauly. “You’re late.” Matt Niskanen remarked, shooting a rubber band at Beau’s head.

“Ouch!” he exclaimed rubbing his head

“I know. I had things to take care of.”

“By things do you mean Melanie?” Brandon Sutter laughed

“No, actually…well sort of. I said ‘bye’ to her, but I had to find my checkbook and write Jennifer a check…”

“Why?” Pauly asked

“To help her cover the down payment for a rental house in Dallas…” I replied

“Why are you helping her with that?”

“I don’t really want to talk about it right now…”

“What do you mean? What’s going on?” Paul asked, concern growing in his voice

“She’s threatening to file for a re-trial on our custody case…” I sighed

“Unless you help her?” Sutter asked

I nodded, “Yeah.”

“She wouldn’t win.” Paul assured me

“There’s more…”

“What?” they both asked

“She’s apparently got some evidence against me. Something that would ruin my reputation and she said that if I don’t help her move to Dallas and agree to this arrangement that she will file and will in her words, ‘Destroy my life so bad that I’ll wish I’d never met her.’ And she’s got that fucking right. I do wish I'd never met that bitch...only good that's came of it are Nolan and Lyvia."

“But you have full legal custody of the kids…” Beau chimed in

“But she has visitation. I have to allow her to see the kids, whether I want her to or not…can we stop talking about it now, it really stresses me out…”

“Alright, man..." Paul sighed, as we pulled into the airport. The guys became preoccupied with getting the jet loaded up that they didn't ask anymore questions, which was what I wanted.

Notes