Either You Do...Or You Don't

James’ POV:

I stirred awake in a familiar, yet unfamiliar place. I had fallen asleep on Melanie’s floor, beside the couch. I heard noises coming from the kitchen. Melanie’s voice and the feint sound of music. “Melanie?” I mumbled, heading towards the kitchen, when the smell of bacon hit my nose.

“Morning!” she said cheerfully, flipping an egg-white omelet.

“I see you’re feeling better.” I replied, sitting at her table.

Melanie nodded, “Yeah. I told you it was something I ate. Are you hungry?”

“Yeah.” I replied, smiling. “Thanks.”

“Egg-white omelet and bacon? With some orange juice?”

“Sounds amazing…sorry I fell asleep here. I’ve just been exhausted.” I replied with a yawn

“It’s okay. I don’t mind.” she replied, plating me up some food and handing me a glass. I poured some OJ for me and her and then put the jug away. “Thanks. So are you doing anything today?”
I shook my head, “No…not really. I have to go to Dallas soon. To meet up with Jen, her lawyer and my lawyer. To discuss our joint custody agreement and sign some papers. I’ll probably end up leaving tonight or tomorrow.”

Melanie nodded, “After you talk to Allison though, right?”

I sighed, “I don’t know, Melanie. Things with Allison need more fixing than just a few hours.”

“What really happened with you two…I mean other than what we did.”

“I’m a fucking idiot and I keep blowing it with her. I get so caught up in living my lifestlye, that adding someone into that is difficult. Jen and I always had problems. She could never talk to me and when she could, I wasn’t there to listen. I think what’s best for me and Allison right now, is for me to just go settle all this business and for her to settle hers…”

Allison’s POV:

I finished the rest of my laundry and headed to the grocery store. It was a Saturday, my day off, but I still had work to do. I’d been so busy dealing with work, Brian and James, that I let my house fall apart. I’d been cleaning most of the morning and was heading to buy groceries.
I grabbed a cart and pushed down the aisles. “Allison!” Chris Kunitz’s voice called to me.

“Hey, Kuni.” I said, smiling.

“How’ve you’ve been?” he asked, hugging me

“I’ve been good. How are you and the kids?”

Kuni smiled, “All good. They’re growing up so fast. Quite a handful for me and Maureen.”

I laughed, “I bet. What are you going to be up to this Summer?”

“Not much. Keeping in shape. Keeping my teammates in check.” he joked

“Especially Geno and Sid?” I joked back

“More Beau, Nealer and Nisky.”

“Yeah. Keep both eyes on those three.” I smiled

“How are you and James?”

I sighed. I knew he’d ask that eventually. “We’re working on things…he has his stuff with

Jennifer and I have my things.”

“He’s an idiot. I’m sorry, but he is. He should have dumped Jennifer in Dallas, in my opinion.”

“Yeah…” James rarely talked about his relationship with Jen. Mostly because I didn’t like hearing it. I didn’t understand what he ever saw in her. Maybe she was different back then.

“Did he call you before he left?”

“What? Who?” I asked, confused

“Uh…Nealer? He left like an hour ago for Dallas…Paul called me after he dropped him off at the airport.”

My heart dropped. He’d left for Dallas without telling me…I was hurt and confused…why was he going to Dallas? Why didn’t he at least tell me? Not that he owed me anything…I just figured he’d at least tell me he was leaving the state…”Oh…”

“You didn’t know? Something to do with Jennifer, I guess. Well, I’ll be seeing you!”

I grabbed Kuni and stopped him from leaving, “What about Jennifer?”

“I don’t know…and neither did Paul. Paul just said he assumed it had to do with her…” I was even more hurt. Why was he going to see her? Why didn’t he tell me? The only think that I did know was that I would be on the next flight to Dallas.

Notes