Come Closer

James sat on the edge of the bed preparing for what Meghan was going to say, he thought of the worst…she’s calling off the engagement. Imagine how stupid I’d look, returning the ring he thought to himself.

“What’s wrong Meghan?” His sounding worried.

“I’m ending my career as a professional volleyball player.” I said slowly.

“Why? It’s because of me isn’t it?”

“James I can’t handle doing both, in a week I should be leaving to go back to Ontario and do a full season. Remember what happened when we were apart? I don’t want that to happen, and it will be what, another 7 years that we don’t see each other.” My voice getting shaky. “Trying to plan a wedding with a man that I never get to see because of my job, Sara slapped me today because I can’t handle trying to be a good captain and at the same time being a good fiancé.”

“Dumb bitch, What happened?”

“I got back to the hotel and immediately I pulled Khloe aside to tell her that you proposed. Sara was listening threw the door and she came in told me I was a bad captain and my personal life is taking over and she slapped me across the face.”

“Meghan you sure you want to do this?” James stood up and paced around the room.
“I can’t manage both James; I am not going to lose you again.” My eyes start to water.

“Are you going to finish the season?”

“I’m handing in my jersey tomorrow night to Brendan; it will be better to leave now than half way through the season. I’m going to name Khloe captain when I go.”

“So now what? Are you going to coach down here or something?”

“There are a few teams in the area that are looking for coaching staff. I have already made appointments with some teams.”

“How are you going to move all your stuff down?”

“I’ll probably go home and fly everything down, that’s the fastest way.” Standing up and leaning against the wall.

“I really love you Meghan Fuller, first step of our lives together; I’m going to make you very happy.” I smiled.

“I have no doubt in my mind.”

James and I hung up after about an hour, we talked about everything. Putting up my house for sale, moving all my belongings to Pittsburgh and we even talked a little about the wedding.”
-------------------------------
Khloe came back into the room from going on a run a little while later.

“Meghan, I saw Sara at the gym downstairs, what a bitch, like she deserves a throat punch.” She said coming in the door.

“Khlo I need to tell you something.” I stood up and walked over to her.

“Omg you called off the engagement…Meghan don’t listen to Sara, she is just jealous of you.”

“No, I’m ending my career.”

“What do you mean…ending your career?”

“I’m going to move down to Pittsburgh, I’m not going to finish the season.”

“Oh no, no this can’t be…please tell me you’re joking.” She backed away from me.

“Khloe, I am doing what’s best for me, I have had a wonderful career, two world championships, six national titles and an Olympic Gold.” I turned around and sat on my bed. “I want to settle down now; honestly, I could just go down to city hall and get married and be done with it.”

“Nothing fancy, just how Meghan likes it!” She sat beside me. “As much as I want you to stay and play, you have been doing volleyball for like 10 years; you deserve to settle down, and no time like the present.”

“Khloe where is your jersey?” I asked standing up. “Go get it.”

Khloe got up and pulled one of her jerseys out of her bag and handed it to me. I grabbed a roll of sticky arm wrap from my bag, tore a piece off and put a stripe under her number.

“Meghan…”

“You have been a leader for this team the whole time we have been here, you deserve captain”. Khloe started to cry.

She immediately came over and hugged me. “I’m going to tell the girls tonight at supper.”

“Well, I got some big shoes to fill” Khloe said hugging me again.
-------------------------------------------------------------
While Khloe was getting ready for supper I phoned my parents and told them about the engagement, me ending my career and moving down to Pittsburgh; they were a little upset at first but decided that it was the best thing for me.

When Khloe and I went down for dinner everyone was there, I wanted to tell them right when I got there to get it over with.

“Before dinner gets here I want to make an announcement.” My hands and legs were shaking. God I hope this goes well.

“Meghan we already know your engaged.” Kim piped up.

“I have been with this team for 6 years, we have won national championships together and I love you girls like my own sisters” I started stuttering. “But as you all know I am getting married and I think its time for me to settle down and start a family. So I decided to end my volleyball career effective immediately.” All the girls looked at me absolutely stunned. “Also effective immediately, Khloe will be your new captain”

“What the fuck Meghan.” Sara said. “I told you that hockey player would ruin you.”

“You know what Sara, I am so sick of you and your comments. You are so jealous of me because I’m getting married and eventually have a family, and if I was still captain I would kick your ass to the curb right now, and that hockey player has a name, James Neal.” I was almost yelling at her. “Brendan, I am coming and handing in my jersey tomorrow.” I said going over to him. “I’m not going to sit here and be treated like this. Have a good night ladies.” And I walked out.

I watched the rest of the Penguin/Maple Leaf game in the hotel room. After the game I texted James.

Khloe – Do you have a extra key somewhere, I need to get out of this hotel.

James answered right away.

James – There is one under the matt by the front door. Phone me when you get there please.

I started to pack up all my stuff when Khloe walked into the room going off in a rant.
“I cannot believe her, I’m talking to Brendan tomorrow about her, and she pisses me off! Like go away, I don’t want to see your face.” she took off her shoes. “Where are you going?”

“I’m leaving.”

“Leaving where?”

“I’m going to James’” I zipped up my suit case.

“Can I come visit you?” She sat down.

“Uhh… No” I winked at her. “Of course you can!”

“Well ex-roomie, have fun, love you bitch.”

“Right back at ya, asshole!”
---------------------------------------
It took me about 10 minutes to find the key, it was tucked in a corner and it was hard to get out. So when I finally opened the door, an alarm went off.

“Oh fuck.” I panicked, I had no idea what the code was.

Seconds later two cop cars came to the house, their spot light shining right in my eyes.
“Excuse me mam, do you live here.”

“No, well yes…kinda, my fiancé lives here and I don’t know what the code it…I’m sorry.” I said shaken up.

“Mam we need to take you in, this is clearly not your house.” One of the officers said.

Lucky for me he didn’t put me in handcuffs because I was cooperating. I have never been arrested, I got a speeding ticket once but that’s the only trouble I have been in with the law.

Sure enough I went in got a mug shot, my finger prints and wrote a statement. I was finally aloud to make a phone call. I phoned James.

“Hello” he sounded tired. It was about 11p.m I think.

“James, it’s me.” I said quietly.

“Oh thank god, I thought you died or something, I texted you like 20 times.”

“So uh, I unlocked the house and went in and the alarm went off, I have been arrested for breaking and entering.”

“Shit I forgot to tell you what the code was, I’m sorry babe.” He was laughing.

After the phone call James phoned the jail and told them what happened so they released me. I took a cab from the station back to James house. He told me that the code was 1125, my birthday, November 25th. I didn’t get back to the house till 2 a.m., I was beat, and jail is not a place to be for sure.

I went up to the bedroom not even 5 minutes after I got in, I didn’t even bring up my bag. Pulled one of James shirts off one of the hangers and put it on, pulled my pants off and I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Notes

Had so much fun writing this one!