"Finally."

Ali rolled over and sleepily stretched an arm out, but found the spot next to her on the bed empty. Slowly, her eyes opened and the view confirmed what her arm had told her: she was alone in bed. The spot where James had slept was bare; the blankets rumpled...evidence they'd been locked in each others' arms most of the night.

Because Ali's condo wasn't the most spacious in Pittsburgh, a few more seconds proved that James actually hadn't left. Ali could hear sounds coming from downstairs...someone was shuffling somewhere...probably the kitchen. She heard a drawer open, then close. Another drawer opened, then closed.

With a smile, Ali slid further beneath the comforter and hugged it close. He doesn't know where I keep anything.

She listened as another drawer opened, followed by the sound of silverware being rifled through, before the drawer could be heard closing again. For some reason, Ali couldn't stop smiling.

Such a simple act, and I'm smiling like a fucking idiot.

She wondered how long it would take her to get over the disbelief of their relationship. It still felt a lot like something that shouldn't be happening...not to her, anyways. The circumstances were just to....

Amazing, Ali thought happily.

Stretching her arms above her head and her legs straight out before her, she figured she should probably get up and see just why James was interested in silverware. In just her panties and an old Pitt t-shirt, she tried to smooth down the parts of her hair that felt especially sloppy before trotting downstairs. What she saw when she got there nearly caused her to stop breathing: half of a bare torso sticking out from an open refrigerator door, a hand loosely balancing on the door frame, and slouchy sweatpants sitting just low enough to showcase lean back muscles. When he stood and the rest of him came into view, Ali watched James lift her milk carton to his mouth, taking two swallows before he saw her.

James smiled when he saw her standing there, not the least bit concerned he'd just been drinking from her milk carton. "Hey, you're up!" He let the refrigerator door close, holding the carton in one hand and a cup of yogurt in the other. "You care if I--?"

Ali shook her head and smiled. "Nah. All yours." She felt James' soft mouth against her forehead as he came towards her, kissing her before taking a seat at her dinner table.

"How'd you sleep?" He ripped the top off the yogurt.

Ali watched as he swallow biggest scoop she'd ever seen, his ocean eyes alert for this early in the morning. "Slept great. You?"

He facially shrugged, eyes lowering to his spoon as a slight amount of bashfulness swept over him. "I didn't."

"You didn't?" Ali took a seat across from him, concern slipping into her tone. "Why not? Is it the bed? I'll get rid of the damn frame if you can't---"

"Ali, I had a hard on almost the entire night." James blinked simply and took another massive scoop of yogurt.

She laughed. "What?"

"You heard me." He licked the spoon.

Ali watched his tongue with entirely too much intrigue. "I'd say I'm sorry - but I'm kinda not." She smiled as James let out a little laugh.

"Somehow I knew that'd be your answer."

"So if you didn't sleep all night....how long have you been up?" She took the yogurt and the spoon from him and helped herself to a scoop, making sure to give him sassy-eyes as she did so. "Like up-up."

"Up-up?" James smiled. "I don't know. An hour, maybe?"

"Wow. Sorry I slept in."

"I'm used to it, that's all." He slumped back in the chair, his long legs extending out in front of him. He watched Ali lick the spoon the same way she had watched him. "What do you want to do today?"

Ali felt tingles somewhere in her stomach. "Don't you have...I don't know...practice or training or something?"

"I gotta get a workout in, yeah - but practice is optional today." He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his face inches from hers. "So today it's just me and you....if you're down for that."

"I would be....but I'm supposed to work later this morning." She gave him a glum frown.

"Doesn't your one coworker owe you?"

Ali cocked her head slightly. "Who? You mean John?"

"Yeah, the guy you worked a double for." James' smile brightened. "He owes you."

That he does, Ali thought, her glumness taking a slight turn upward. "Hand me my phone, please."

James slid her cell phone across the table, watching with amusement as Ali called her friend and declared a repay for her working a double not long ago. It seemed to take some joking and persuading, but from the sounds of it, James assumed that the tables had turned in her favor.

As Ali hung up, she gave James a slight shake of her head. "You're good, you know that?" she said with a smirk.

"Just remembered you had that freebie somewhere in your back pocket." He shrugged as though it was nothing. "Thought you may want to use it on me."

"How thoughtful of you." With a playful air, she scooped the remaining yogurt from the cup and swallowed, her eyes never leaving James.

"So..." He leaned closer, watching the spoon disappear in her mouth. "Like I said: just me and you today?"

The smile he gave her at that moment was enough persuasion for Ali. She tapped the butt end of her spoon on his nose, eliciting an even bigger smile. "Me and you sounds great."

* * *

The cold weather that plagued southwestern Pennsylvania had taken a back seat that day, and for a late March afternoon, it actually felt particularly mild. Neither James nor Ali wore their coats, opting for just a light hoodie on James and a long sleeve, v-neck shirt for Ali. She left her hair down and unstraightened, which kept a slight wave to her long tresses that James adored. He donned his favorite Pens hat, concealing the mess of hair beneath. It was the epitome of a rest day for the both of them; a day to be comfortable inside and out with each other.

"So you do ever have trouble going anywhere?" Ali looked across the middle console of her SUV at James as they headed further down 376, west of her condo and the main heart of the city. "Do you get recognized a lot? And don't you lie to me, Neal."

He chuckled. "I do....but it's really not that bad." He gave her a quick side-eye to make sure she was buying it. "And that's the truth. Both parts."

"Does that mean there are places in town that are off limits?"

James stared at Ali as she drove, completely taken aback by the different kind of beauty she had then in the car compared to any other time. Every new situation they were in...even one as simple as riding together...made him realize all over again he may have 'gotten the girl' after all. She was real. She was sitting there across from him. She was driving.

And now she was staring at him. "James?"

He blinked. "Sorry..."

Ali giggled and put her turn signal on. "I asked if there were places off limits?" She turned the wheel and took a two lane road, leaving the freeway behind. "Because I need to know before I take you somewhere."

"Where are you taking me?" Intrigue filled his voice as he smirked at her. "Or are we keeping secrets now?"

"It's not that great of a secret, if that's what you're wondering."

She looked over and smiled before turning her gaze back to the road. James' heart did a double take. There was something about the way Ali looked at him...really looked at him...that did things to his mind and his body. It would be a constant struggle his entire life.

"Show me anyways" he said happily. "You and me all day today, remember? Where you go, I go." The smile that came over Ali's face made James happy, which was what he was shooting for. "And no - there are no places off limits with me. Anywhere."

They looked at one another with matching smirks.

"Same" Ali replied, then turned the wheel onto another road that was fenced in. They weren't on it long before they came to a large, bright yellow and red gate. Beyond the gate was a spanse of pavement scuffed with long, black streaks.

As Ali rolled down her window and grabbed a badge from her console, James instantly heard a tremendous rumble, the groan and squeal of engines, and the whoosh of air as a Boeing 737 flew over the car. James watched with wide eyes, realizing now how unobservant he'd been. Too much staring at the driver to notice, he thought with a subtle grin. He heard Ali's window slide back up and the car went quiet again, just as the 737 touched down.

"So I know where you work..." Ali tossed her badge in the backseat and patted James' knee. "Time to see where I work."

"Here? At the airport?" James looked at her with surprise. "But I thought you said you worked at the hotel?"

"Like I wasn't gonna work the system and get a few perks out of standing at that desk all week" Ali said happily. She spun the wheel and drove slowly down into a tunnel just as another jet flew by overhead. They descended into darkness as the rumble of the airplane landing sent shivers through the metal body of the SUV. "My degree is in Airport Management and Development, but you know....money and life gets in the way and pretty soon you're standing at the desk of a hotel attached to the airport instead."

In the dim light of the tunnel, James saw Ali shrug somewhat sadly, though she never looked at him.

"So until I can get my Master's and actually do something with it, I'll just work at the Hyatt, and in my free time..." She slowed the car a little as they neared the bright exit. "...I'll visit instead."

They came out of the tunnel and back into the winter sunlight and Ali pulled into an empty parking lot near the tunnel entrance. James glanced out the window, noticing they were now on the opposite side of the runway. A few hundred yards or so, the giant FAA tower loomed, its GPS antenna spinning slowly above the dark windows near the top.

Killing the engine, Ali looked over at James. "I come here just to watch the airplanes." She turned her attention back to the runway stretched before them, smiling as another passenger jet landed and the screech of the wheels could be heard.

With his gaze focused on her then, James felt a new emotion come over him. It could have been admiration, or adoration, or just simply love...he hadn't sorted through them closely enough to know. All he felt was good. Really good. It was starting to become addicting.

"Go ahead, call me a dork" Ali said, catching James lost in his thoughts again.

He shook his head. "I don't think it's dorky at all." He reached for her thigh, clasping firmly to get her gaze to focus on him again. When she turned her head, he could see how she may have been worried, even just slightly, that bringing him here would make him think twice about her. "You know what I like?"

"Hmm?"

"Boats."

Ali laughed softly. "Okay, that's dorky."

"Hey!" James squeezed her thigh and kept a straight face. "Really - there's a kid in all of us. This is your kid-thing."

"My kid-thing, huh?" She lolled her head to one side against the headrest and smiled. "And your kid-thing is boats?"

James shook his head slowly, the color of his eyes cooling. "Incase you didn't notice, I play a game for a living. A game I've loved since I was old enough to stand in skates."

His kind smile made Ali feel comforted and safe. "You're right. You're a permanent kid."

"So are you." He nodded towards the plane that just landed beyond their car and smirked. "Just tell me one thing."

"Anything."

"Do you get a girl boner over this stuff?"

Ali busted out laughing. "What!?"

"It's all about size, isn't it." James was nodding, trying to hold back his smile. The crinkles around his eyes gave him away. "You're all obsessed with size."

"We are not!"

James couldn't hold it back any longer. Just as he cracked up, Ali was reaching across the middle of their seats and trying to slap his knee. He caught her hand and used it as an excuse to pull her closer, his lips brushing against hers sweetly. "Size queen."

"Hardly."

They kissed again. James could feel his groin tightening with every brush of her tongues on his.

"Let's go outside" Ali whispered when their lips parted.

"You sure?" James smiled against her mouth. "Won't the dudes in the tower be pissed?" He gave a slight nod towards the FAA tower looming behind.

"I always get out to watch the planes. Remember my handy little badge?"

James smiled. "Lead the way, babe."

The pair exited the car and James was half expecting to be led to some viewing area or someplace with a bench to sit and watch. Instead, Ali hopped up onto the hood of her car and patted the spot next to her. "Hop on up, Tall One."

He chuckled. "So you just sit on your car?"

"Yeah. What's wrong with that?"

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, shrugging a little. "Nothing, I guess."

"It's too nice of a day to spend it anywhere else." Ali patted the spot on the hood next to her again and laid back against the windshield. "Hurry up, still warm from the engine." She watched as James leapt easily up onto the hood, sliding in next to her her. His smile was big as he lay back against the glass, eyes towards the sky.

"Not bad." His eyes flicked her direction as their fingers laced together. "I like it."

James gave her hand a little squeeze, reassuring Ali that he already loved where she'd taken him. It was a small snippet of her life, and that's all it took for him to fall head over heels for her all over again. With Ali, things were simple...and yet, that's what made it all the more complicated.

"Check it out." Ali pointed at an incoming plane with the hand that was holding his.

He squinted to see if he could identify the markings. "What kind is it?"

"it's an Air National Guard refueling tanker." Ali's dark eyes brightened at the mentioning of it. "These babies are huge."

"Again with the size."

Ali gasped and laughed all at once, which James loved. He kissed the back of her hand, making sure to emphasize it was a joke. "So tell me more."

"Hmm...where to start..." Ali gathered her thoughts. "Well did you know that our airport is home to a bunch of Air Force refueling jets?" Her eyes turned towards the runway.

"I didn't" James said with some wonder.

Ali's eyes stayed on the runway. "Well this is one of them."

James watched the massive tanker slowly crawl downwards in elevation as it neared the asphalt. It was so huge it didn't even appear to be moving, and when he could finally see it in it's entirety, he was actually impressed. It landed with the same screeching sound of the tires, but the engines were much louder, the boom of the breaking system groaning loudly enough to cause his ears to ring.

When it passed far enough away, James looked over. There was a light in Ali's eyes and in her expression as her giant smile appeared.

"Pretty cool, huh?" she asked, obviously excited.

James smiled, then gazed up towards the sky. "Definitely cool, babe."

* * *

Later that night, James and Ali lay awake in her bed. Her window near where they were stretched out together was left open, the cool spring breeze playing across their bare skin. James lay on his back, one arm resting behind his head, the other draped alongside Ali's. On her side next to him, she was admiring the lines of his tattooed arm, taking in the detail of the colors and shapes he'd had inked months ago.

"Do you ever plan on getting the whole thing?" She glanced up and smiled softly. "Might be nice."

"Might?" A smirk adorned James' relaxed face.

"Okay, it would definitely be nice."

"Better."

Ali shook her head, her eyes lowering to his arm again. She let the nail of her index finger trace upwards, along the dips and rises of his muscles, along the cap of his shoulder to where the ink ended. "Do you know what you'd get if you did?"

James had been thinking about finishing his arm and getting a full sleeve for a while now, but he never really considered what the rest might look like. He moved his eyes to follow Ali's finger as it traced down to his bare forearm. "Maybe just a continuation of what I've got going now?"

"You mean more of this?" Ali poked him where his grandmother's nickname was and smiled. James moved his arm away from her as she laughed. "I think it's cute."

"Sure ya do."

"I do!" Ali pulled his arm back towards her and kissed his shoulder, making sure to let her lip linger long enough to pull his eyes back to her. "I hope I get to meet her someday."

"You haven't met the guys yet" James added, but then he looked at her hopefully. "Would you want to?"

Ali felt her heart jump in her chest. "You mean the team?" She saw him nod and her heart jumped again. Her insides turned to jelly when he gave her that sideways smirk that melted her from head to toe. Meet the team...the whole team....

"You don't have to" James said quickly, wondering if Ali's hesitation meant it was too soon to be asking her to meet his teammates.

"No, I want to." She knew that her smile at that moment looked nervous. "I mean - they're part of you, so of course I want to."

They're part of me. It sounded weird for James to hear. He was a Penguin now. He had a full season and a half under his belt with them, and he considered his teammates friends; some of which he knew he'd have the rest of his life. As he felt Ali kiss his shoulder again, James let his eyes follow her lips as she moved them along his collar bone and upwards, until their mouths were just inches apart. He could feel the innate heat that seemed to always radiate from her, especially whenever her skin was on his.

"Thank you." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"For what?" He knew the answer, but he wanted Ali to tell him.

"For being you."

"And?"

Ali knew what James was doing. She was getting to know him better and better, and the more they did this, the more she learned that James liked to hear why he might be better than all the rest. He was naturally competitive and she considered all the ways she could prove he was better than all the rest. She kissed his mouth to answer him, the heat transferring from her body to his in an instant. When his mouth opened to hers, she pulled back momentarily. "And...for coming out to the airport with me."

James smiled. "I had fun."

That's why you're better than the others. Ali pressed her lips to his again and this time, James' hand slid up to her cheek, making sure to keep her right where he wanted her. Still, Ali pulled back again for just a moment. When their gazes met, James' eyes seemed deeper as they looked to her for confirmation, his mouth still slightly open. "What?"

"I wasn't finished thanking you."

"But I wasn't finished kissing you."

"We'll get to that in a second." Ali gave him a sassy smile. "I only have one more anyways." She felt James' fingers play through her long hair, his touch making her hot enough to forget what she was about to say. "Thank you for wanting to introduce me to your teammates."

"That's all?" He winked at her, his hand sliding to the back of her neck to give her a squeeze.

Ali had to laugh inside, because she had one for him he certainly wouldn't be expecting. "I lied. I have one more thing to thank you for."

"Do tell."

She hooked her hand into his and guided it down the pane of her stomach, down further to her most sensitive spot, feeling the warmth of James' hand as she showed him the effect he had on her. This garnered a devilish grin from him, his eyes growing wider.

"Damn."

"I think this speaks for itself, huh?"

In one smooth roll, Ali fell back against the sheets as James transferred his weight above her. His fingers never left her slickness, but only plunged deeper. When Ali gasped at the suddenness, James pressed his mouth against her ear and smirked. "You're welcome."

* * *

"WHERE have you been? I have been trying to call you for ages!"

Ali smiled as she walked out to her car, gym bag slung over one arm, her phone pressed between her shoulder and her ear. "Sorry - just been really busy lately."

"And with whooommm?"

"Who says it's a whom?" She hit the automatic unlock button to her car and opened the door. Her best friend's laughter spilled from the receiver so loudly, she wondered if anyone else in the parking lot could hear.

"You're gonna try that with me? Shit, he must be good. Have you fucked him yet?"

It was Ali's turn to laugh. "Jesus, Brittany! Jumping the gun a little, are we?"

"You don't disappear for days and not even return a text message unless you're off banging someone" Brittany said humorously. "Now tell me who he is!"

Ali sat down in her seat, one leg still draped out of the open door. She kicked at a rock with her sneaker, wondering if it was time to tell the world she was dating a professional hockey player. "I still don't get how you think I'm banging someone" she said, hoping to buy more time.

"We've been friends since preschool."

"So?"

"So I know you, girl."

Ali closed her eyes and smiled because it was true. Brittany knew her better than anyone did, and always would. They had grown up together down the street from one another since they were kids. Now, the telephone and text messages were how they kept their long distance friendship alive, since Brittany lived in Boston and Ali remained in Pittsburgh. Needless to say, her friend had gotten good at calling her out over the telephone.

"What's the big secret anyways?" Brittany asked.

I don't know Ali answered in her head. Maybe because it doesn't seem real to me yet? Maybe because everyone will tell me I'm stupid for trusting a professional athlete? Maybe because I'm falling in love faster than I expected with someone I didn't expect to fall in love with at all?

"Okay, okay, okay." Brittany's voice was now laden with understanding and compromise. "I won't press any further, IF you promise to at least tell me at some point who he is, okay?"

Ali exhaled in relief. "I promise."

"So it IS a guy?"

She groaned. "Yes."

"I knew it."

Ali rolled her eyes. "You always do."

"What's he look like?"

"Brittany!" she said with a laugh.

"Sorry...sorry...got excited."

Smirking, Ali checked her reflection in her rearview mirror. Sweaty face, flushed cheeks, and a sloppy ponytail: all signs she'd been to the gym that morning. If she was planning on making it to the game later that night, she needed to get a move on. "I hate to do this, Britt--"

"--I know, I know, you have to go. That's how it is these days."

"Hey! It's not that bad....is it?" Ali's brow creased, wondering if she really was forgetting the rest of the world while she was consumed by her new relationship.

"No, but don't let it get to that point, okay? No matter who he is."

She wished she could tell her friend everything, but she was scared to. She could jinx the whole thing and ruin it, or risk hearing how wrong she was for devoting so much time this early to a guy who lived the life James did. No one would understand, and Ali wondered if they ever would.

"You okay?" Brittany asked. "Got quiet awfully fast."

"Yeah, just thinking. You know how I am."

"That I do."

Ali closed the door to her car and stuck the keys into the ignition. "I'll catch up with you later, okay?"

"Okay, but be prepared for more questions!" Brittany replied cheerfully.

They hung up, and Ali stared at her phone, letting her thoughts consume her again. She wondered if James had said anything to the guys on his team or not about her yet, or if last night was the first time he considered going "public" with their relationship. Her insides went jelly-like all over again.

Jesus christ, there are so many people on that team I've always wanted to meet.

Her heartbeat began to increase.

Sidney Crosby.

She closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the headrest.

My dad will fucking flip if I meet Crosby.

But then a thought occurred to her: do I even tell my parents? She hadn't told them she was dating anyone, let alone a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Not only was she afraid of what they would have to say about it, but they were a hockey family. An intense hockey family: her dad used to bring her and Brittany to games their whole childhood. The Mellon Arena felt like her second home. Lemieux wasn't just a name to them, it was the name to them. They were a hockey family, and the Pens were their team.

And now I'm dating one.

And I might be meeting the rest of them.

Rubbing her face, Ali tried to rid herself of the overwhelming nerves that flooded her insides every time she considered this. It was easier when it was just her and James, but every time she thought about being thrust into his world, she felt daunted by the entire thing.

What if......I'm not good enough?

Ali shook her head, immediately ridding herself of the notion. It was already overwhelming enough, she didn't need to add to it with thoughts like that. Plus, she promised herself she wouldn't do that again. After her first date with James, she knew that wouldn't be an issue.

She turned the key and allowed the hum of her engine distract her, deciding then and there that she wouldn't let another thought like that fly through her busy brain again. Luckily enough, the rumble of her stomach was enough of a distraction to help her move on to grabbing lunch and heading back to her condo to shower. The game started at 7:30, and she didn't want to be late.

* * *

James heard the knock on his door just as he was coming downstairs. Knowing it was Paulie, he unlocked and opened the door on his way to kitchen. "What's up, man?"

"You about ready?" Paul shut the door behind him with his foot, following his teammate into his kitchen. He was fully dressed and ready, wondering why James wasn't.

Glancing up at the digital numbers on his microwave, James eyed him. "Uh......we have two hours."

"Exactly." Paul gave a short nod. "I see you haven't done your hair yet, so..."

James gave him a sarcastic frown, then turned his back as he grabbed a water from the fridge. It was one of five things he kept in there: water, Gatorade, beer, bread, and peanut butter. He kept it all in his fridge, whether it belonged there or not.

"Got a question for ya." James slid onto one of the stools at his kitchen island, cracking open the cap of the water. "Think we're going anywhere tonight? After the game?" He took a healthy drink as Paul shrugged at him from across the island.

"You're better off asking Geno that question."

James figured, but took a stab at it anyways. He looked down at himself, realizing that maybe Paul had a point. They had two hours until they had to be at the arena, and he wasn't even dressed yet. Shirtless and fresh out of the shower, he only had his dress pants on. The rest of his suit remained upstairs in his bedroom, the only room in the house with furniture besides the kitchen and the couch he kept in the living room. Having never really moved all the way in since the trade from Dallas, he realized he was on the road too much to really make the house a home...so it remained almost as bare as the day he moved into it.

"Why? You itching for a bender?" Paul gave him a knowing smile. "Need to get laid or something?"

James barked out a laugh. "Actually I don't." He watched as Paulie's face fell in awe.

"Say what?"

"I said no."

"Right, but..." Paul stared at James, then took a seat across from him. "You feeling okay, dude?"

"I feel fine, thanks for asking." He hoped his sarcasm was as evident as the look of confusion on Paulie's face. He took another drink of water, trying not to smile too much. He leaned over the marble counter, arms stretching out before him as he thought over his next move. He was dying to tell someone, and if there was anyone who he could trust to tell first, it was his boy Paulie. "So, hey, uh...I have something I need to tell you---"

"--holy shit, you got someone pregnant" Paul said aghast.

James' face bent. "No??? No, it's not that, you dumbass."

"Oh god...oh thank god, that poor kid...." Paul put a hand to his chest, feigning concern. He laughed as James' brows pinched together.

"Anyways..." James cleared his throat and Paulie's laughter dwindled. "This is serious, what I'm about to tell you, so no fucking around, okay?"

Paul looked surprised already, and James didn't blame him. He sat across from him silently, waiting for what James was about to tell him. He made no move to ask any questions, so James took a breath. "I met a girl."

"...Okay...."

"And I think it's legit."

Paul leaned forward. "Go on...."

James looked down at the water bottle in his hands, picking at the paper label as images of Ali flooded his mind. It made him smile subconsciously, which Paul noticed right away.

"Holy shit, you are serious." Paul realized now that his friend wasn't just telling him about another random hookup.

Looking up, James shrugged. "I really like her."

"Apparently."

They looked at one another, not saying anything.

"She lives in the city" James proceeded. He treaded lightly, not wanting to reveal too much. "I want to invite her out tonight, if a bunch of us decide to hit up somewhere downtown."

Paul smiled. "How long have you been seeing her?"

"A month or two, maybe? I don't know."

"A month or two?" Paul's jaw dropped as he laughed. "What the fuck, Nealer?"

"What!?!" James started to get a little pissed that Paul was looking at him the way he was, as if he couldn't land a chick if he wanted to.

"So that's where you were when you never showed up to pract--"

"--shut up about that, alright?" James pointed the water bottle at him and glared. "You absolutely cannotsay a word."

"You know I won't dude."

James nodded, because he knew that was true. "So..."

"So..." Paul smiled again. "What's her name?"

"Allison Diserelli." He watched his friend nod once more, clearly absorbing the information slowly.

"Sounds Italian."

"100%" James added proudly. "And I want ask her to come out tonight. You know...to meet everyone."

"Do it." Paul's tone was confident and friendly. "Although the guys will probably shit their pants with you pretending you have a steady girlfriend--"

"--There's no pretending. I told you - she's different."

"If you say so, man."

James shook his head, unsure of how he would get him to understand that Ali was important to him. Sure, he didn't have it all figured out, but he knew he was serious enough that he wanted to show her off. He nabbed a hell of a girl, and she was his. He wanted them to see it, to know it, and he wanted to show Ali he was serious.

"So just go for it."

James looked up at Paul's statement. "Yeah?"

He facially shrugged. "Sure, why not? Tonight's as good as any night."

"Plus..." James grinned. "It's the fucking Panthers. So we'll win."

Paul gave him a look of approval. "Tonight sounds like the night then."

* * *

Notes