Another Day in Nashville

Chapter 5-

The guys had been on a road trip, so I volunteered to watch Nixon for James. We were on a walk when I felt my phone ringing, "Hello?"

"Em? Em it's me..." the one voice I didn't want to hear...Josh

"Josh." I said flatly

"How are you doing?" he asked

"I'm fine." I replied, gritting my teeth

"Emilee, I know that I'm the last person you want to hear from, but I made a mistake...I realize now that you're the one I want. I mean, you moved to Nashville for me."

"Josh, I..."

"I just want to meet for coffee so we can talk."

"I can't, Josh. I'm busy dog sitting for my friend."

"Oh well then tomorrow?"

"I'm busy all week."

"Seriously, Emilee? I just want to talk!"

"I don't want to talk to you, Josh! You left me for Kendra, who was one of my closest friends! You left me!" I snapped hanging up. I felt the tears start falling as Nixon and I headed back home. I felt my phone ringing again and without looking I answered, "I said I don't want to talk, Josh!"

"Uh...it's James." James replied

"James! I'm sorry...I thought you were Josh..."

"Your ex?"

"Yeah...he called me. Wanted to talk..."

"Fuck him. He doesn't deserve you..."

"Thanks, James. So what's up?"

"Just calling to see how you were doing..."

"I'm okay despite the Josh thing...how are you?"

"I'm good. Just relaxing at the hotel."

"When's the game tonight?"

"7:00." James replied

"I'll try and watch it." I smiled

James laughed, "You don't have to."

"I want to. I like seeing you play."

"Thanks...um so...I was wondering, when we get back if you'd like to go out...with me...like a date?"

My jaw dropped. Did James Neal really just ask me out on a date? I wasn't sure what to say...I mean I liked James. He was sweet and funny, but truth was...I still hurt from Josh. "James...I'd love to go out to dinner with you...but..." I sighed "James, I'm just not ready for a relationship...things still hurt from Josh..."

"That's okay. I can respect that. Can I still take you out though? Just as friends? I just really want to get to know you..."

I smiled. He was so sweet. "Okay, sounds good. Thank-you, James."

"Don't mention it. Hows Nix? He being good?"

"Yeah he's being good. Misses his daddy."

James laughed, "Yeah, I bet. Hey, I gotta go...we got some team stuff before the game."

"Okay. Have a good game."

"Thanks. Can I call you after?"

I smiled, "Yeah."

"Okay. Cool. Talk to you later then!" he replied, hanging up. I smiled and headed inside with Nixon, filling his bowl with food. I looked in the fridge for something to eat when my phone started going off again. It was a text.

Cluner- What's up with you and Nealer?
Emilee- Nothing?
Cluner- You're going out to dinner with him?
Emilee- We're just friends, Richie. James asked me out to dinner and I said yes.
Cluner- He likes you, Donahue.
I sighed as I typed back a reply- I know that.
Cluner- I'm just warning you.
Emilee- Warning me? What do you mean?
Cluner- Just be cautious of him, okay?

I didn't reply. What was Rich talking about? Why would I need to be cautious. James was a great guy. There was nothing I needed to be cautious of right?
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7pm rolled around. I was laying on the couch with Nix watching the game. It wasn't nearly as fun as watching the game in person, but still. I was scratching Nix behind the ear when James got a goal. I cheered for him and smiled as the camera zoomed up on him. He was smiling and was talking to Filip Forsberg on the bench.

Just then there was a knock at the door. Nix started barking, "Shhhh..." I said petting him and heading to the door. I wasn't expecting anyone, so I had no clue who it would be...

"Hey!" Rachel said walking in

"Hey. What are you doing here?"

"Came to see what you're up to?"

"Have you ever heard of a phone?" I laughed

"Well yeah...hey...who's this guy?" Rachel asked noticing Nix

"Oh. James' dog..."

"The guy who is 'just a friend'? Why do you have his dog??"

"Um well he travels for work and didn't want to leave Nixon alone. So I said I could watch him."

"Are you watching hockey?"

"Uh yeah." I replied

"Oh that's right aren't you friends with Rich Clune?"

"Yeah." I laughed nervously

"What's going on, Em. You're acting weird tell me!!"

"Well...James..." I sighed "James is James Neal."

Rachel's mouth dropped "WHAT??"

"Yeah."

"You're dating James Neal?!?!"

"We're not dating..."

"But you're talking to him!!! Oh my god, Emilee, he's so cute!!!"

"Yeah."

"What's wrong?"

"I told him I just want to be friends."

"Why?! Don't tell me it's because of Josh." She started, crossing her arms as she stared at me "oh my god, it is!"

"Rach..."

"Emilee, you can't keep letting him have this hold on you!"

"And I'm not...I'm just not ready."

"That's letting him have a hold on you."

"I'm trying to watch the game." I replied turning to the screen to see him score another goal.

Rachel sighed, "Fine. But don't wait too long. Cause guys like that don't stay single forever." She said leaving

I sighed. She was right and maybe that's what Richie had meant earlier. Guys like James Neal didn't stay single long...or if they were single, they were messing around with everyone and everything that they could...
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Sometime after the game, I was sitting outside while Nix went to the bathroom feeling my phone buzz. "Hello?"

"Hey, Emilee?" James said. His voice had become so familiar now...

"Hey." I sighed

"Everything okay?" He asked

"James...I..." I sighed, "I don't know if I can do this."

"Do what?" The confusion in his voice apparent

"This. You."

"What do you mean?"

"I know you like me, James...it's really obvious and I like you too...I just...I'm not over Josh. I'm not and I don't know when or if I'll be. It's not fair to you to make you wait for me..."

James cleared his throat, "Emilee...that's true I do like you. You're a really great girl and like I said before. I'm perfectly okay with just being your friend."

I smiled, "You're something else, James Neal."

James laughed, "What's that mean?"

"You're not like other guys. Most other guys would get mad at me for saying that and freak out at me for not being over Josh after what he did..."

"I wouldn't do that...I understand. My ex and I broke up right after I was traded."

"What happened..."

"She grew up in Philly...wasn't willing to leave for me. I told her I didn't know if I could do long distance. She called me an selfish ass and broke up with me."

"James, I..." I started

"It's okay...things wouldn't have lasted with her, ya know?"

"I'm sorry..."

"It's okay, Emilee." James repeated "emilee...can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, James?"

"Do you still wanna go out to dinner with me?"

I laughed "yeah."

"Okay. Tomorrow? I'll pick you up at 6:30."

"Okay. Sounds good."

"Nealer! Get off the damn phone!" I heard Cluner saying

"I gotta go, Emilee..."

"Okay. Bye, James."

"Good night."

"Good night." I laughed before hanging up.

Notes

Sorry for the long wait!!! Was busy with Thanksgiving and what not! Hope you're enjoying this so far!!!