Another Day in Nashville

A couple weeks had past since the dinner. James and I had been texting on and off. I was curling a regular's hair when Rachel walked up to me, "You seem to be in a cheery mood, Em."

I laughed "What do you mean?"

"I just mean you seem to be happier than usual."

"You do seem rather cheery." Megan, the regular, said

"It's nothing. Just been talking to this guy..."

"Do tell!!" Rachel said excitedly

"Well, I mean...it's nothing serious. I mean he did take me out for dinner but it was more of as a friends thing. Cause his roommate had a date and he didn't want to be a third wheel."

"Is he cute?" Megan asked.

I nodded "Yeah. He's cute and he's really nice."

"What's his name?"

I bit my lip. I did't want to tell them who he was right away, because there wasn't really anything going on. We were just friends..."Um...his name is James."

"Nice nice." Rachel said, heading over to the desk to help a customer that came in.

Megan smiled at me as I finished her hair, "He sounds great, Emilee. Hope things work out." she said heading out.

"Well, Rach, I got all my clients done for the day so I'm gunna head out."

"Okay! Have a date with your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend." I laughed.

"Boyfriend?" Joelle said looking up from sweeping

"It's nothing, Jo. I'm just talking to this guy. I gotta go. Bye." I laughed heading out. As soon I pulled my car into the driveway, I heard barking coming Rich's backyard. I got out of my car and walked to the gate heading to the back.

"Stay. Stay." James was saying to gray pit bull. "Get it, Nix!" he yelled throwing a ball. I giggled and James turned to me, smiling. "Hey."

"Hi." I replied as the dog came up to me licking my hand

"Nix, down." James ordered "Sorry."

"Who's this guy?" I asked, scratching the dog behind the ear

"This is Nixon. My dog."

"He's cute."

James smiled "Thanks. How was work?"

"Good. How was practice?"

"Great! Hey, I have a question for you. Do you wanna come to the game tonight?"

"Your game?"

James nodded, "Yeah!"

"Okay...I mean if I can get tickets..."

"Oh. That's taken care of."

"You got me a ticket?"

"Well not exactly. Since I'm a player I get a free pass for a friend or family. So you can use my pass." he said handing me a lanyard with a VIP pass on it

"Wow! Thank-you!" I smiled

"No problem. But I gotta head in and do my pre-game stuff."

"Okay."

"I'll see you at the game." James smiled

"Yeah." I smiled, heading back over to my place and inside. I looked down at the VIP pass. He had given me a "friends and family" pass. I mean sure it was just for the one game, but still.

I sat the pass on the counter and laid down on the couch to take a nap before the game.
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I parked my car at the ramp and headed up the steps at Bridgestone arena. I went to the VIP line and handed my pass in. "Name please?" The lady asked

"Uh Emilee Donahue."

"Ah yes. Miss Donahue. We have you down." She said checking something on her list "That way and then the second door on the right. Seat 15."

I nodded and headed to my spot, opening the door to the VIP box. "Well hey, Emilee!!" Carrie Underwood greeted me

"Hey." I smiled

"Cluner invite you?" Mike Fisher asked

"Uh no. James Neal did."

"Nealer did?! Wow!" Mike laughed

"What are you doing up here?" I asked

"Injured." Mike replied "so you and James Neal, huh?"

"No. It's not like that. We're just friends."

Mike laughed "Sure sure."

"Mike! Be nice." Carrie said "James Neal is a sweetheart."

Yeah, he's great." I replied, turning my attention to the ice. I found James stretching by the goalie. He was easily recognizable by his hair. In its slicked back form.

He got up from stretching and started skating. He turned around and looked up. He smiled when he saw me and waved his stick. I smiled and waved back, "Awwww." Mike teased with a laugh and Carrie hit his arm.

I shook my head and looked back down at the ice as the game started. The preds were playing the Dallas Stars.

I'd never been to a hockey game before. I mean I'd watched a few on TV, but I'd never been to one in person. James moved to smoothly on the ice it was mesmerizing to watch. "Emilee?" Carrie repeated pulling me from my thoughts

"Huh? Oh sorry. I was watching." I laughed

"How are you enjoying the game?" Carrie laughed

"It's great." I smiled

"Oh she's not watching the game. She's watching James Neal." Mike teased

"Mike!" Carrie said

"What?"

I laughed "Well that's the reason I came, Fish, to watch him."

Carrie smiled "Aw."

I looked back down on the ice and found James on the bench. When our gazes met, he smiled and nodded. I smiled back and waved. James leaned over to Rich and said something. Rich grinned, looking up at me waving as well.

I laughed and shook my head "Those two better focus on the game."

Carrie laughed "I know!"
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The Preds won the game 4-1. I was waiting down in the lobby when James came walking up to me in a horrible plaid suit. "Hey! Did you enjoy the game?" He asked with that perfect smile.

"It was great! You guys are awesome."

James laughed. I was starting to love that laugh, "Thanks. We try."

Richie came walking over to us, "Nealer! Donahue! Are you two going to come out? I'm DDing."

James looked to me, "Do you wanna come?"

"Okay." I replied "sounds like fun."

"Great! You two can come with me."

"Now what makes you think I wanna come with you, Cluner?" I asked

"Because like I said, I'm the designated driver. So either you come with me or I'll be putting your ass in a cab at 1am and then your car will get towed."

"He has a point." James laughed "I'm stuck with Dickie. Didn't drive."

"I guess that's true...could we run home then? So I can drop off my car?"

"Sure!" Rich said, "We will follow you home."

"Actually, James can ride with me if he wants..." I said looking over at James.

James blushed "I...well...um..." He stuttered

Rich laughed, "Alright then. Nealer's riding with you." He walked off, still laughing.

"Asshole." James mumbled

I nudged him, "Oh come on. Richie's not that bad. Besides, don't you want to ride with me?"

James laughed, "Yeah I do. I meant he's an asshole for laughing."

"Oh he's just being Richie."

"How long have you known Dickie?"

"Just about three years. Since he moved here. Been my neighbor ever since. You've known him a lot longer, so you know how he is."

James laughed "Yeah. He was much worse back in the AHL days though..."

I nodded "yeah. He's gotten a lot better. He's a great friend. Well let's go, otherwise, Rich will wonder what happened to us."

James nodded in agreement as we headed out to my car and off to the bar.

Notes