Another Day in Nashville

"I just want you to be cautious..." Richie sighed

"Richie, I'm being as cautious as ever. I told him we are just friends..." I explained. It had been a few days since the guys' trip.

James and I had been on a few "dates" and we talked all the time. I felt horrible. I knew he liked me and I did like him, but I just wasn't ready for a serious relationship. "You're not going a good job at it..."

"Richie..."

"I'm sorry, Em. I just know what kind of guy he is and I'm just warning you."

I was starting to get annoyed, "And what kind of guy is he, Richie?"

"He cheated on his ex."

"He what?! James said they broke up cause he got traded..."

"Of course that's what he told you. He cheated on her right before he was traded and she dumped him."

"I don't believe you." I replied

Rich sighed "Fine! Don't believe me. I have to go..."

"Ok."

"I'm not mad. Just go..."

"Sorry, Donahue..." Rich replied leaving

Sitting back down on the couch, I could feel my face getting hotter. I wasn't sure if I was mad at Rich...or at James. I wanted to believe James, I did...but Rich had never lied to me before. I heard my doorbell ring and got up, answering the door. "Emilee! Hey!" James smiled

"James. Hey."

"Are you okay?" he asked grabbing my hand

I pulled it away and a hurt expression fell on his face, "Did you lie to me?"

"What?" he asked confused

"Did you lie to me about your ex"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't act like you don't know what I mean! You told me you and her broke up because of you leaving. Did. You. Lie?"

James sighed, "Let me explain..."

I shook my head and started closing the door. James stopped it, "What, James?"

"Please let me explain!" he begged

"Fine."

James cleared his throat, "Before the last game of playoffs last year, she and I had gotten in a fight. She said it was over. After the game and we were eliminated, me, Crosby, and Malkin all went out. I got pretty drunk and made out with a few girls. Next morning, she was at my place saying she was just mad and didn't mean it. Then later on, after I was traded and asked her about moving she said she didn't know if she could leave and I didn't know if I could do distance...somehow she found out about what happened at the bar and said that I had cheated. Even though I technically didn't because I assumed we were broken up."

"Why didn't you just tell me that to begin with?"

James pushed his glasses up, "I didn't want you to think I'm like that..."

I sighed "Okay. I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?" he said confused

"Yeah...I just...I freaked out at you and I had no reason to and I'm sorry."

"It's okay." James smiled "So...wanna go grab coffee? Or something?"

"Yeah, let me go grab my coat." I replied, grabbing my purse and coat and following James outside and to his Ferrari.

"Afterwards, do you wanna come over and see the new place?" he asked

I had forgotten he moved out of Richie's the week before. "Sure."

James smiled and headed off to a nice little coffee place downtown that we had been to before. "Emilee?" he said quietly

"Yeah?" I asked sipping my coffee

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you the full story about what really happened."

"It's okay, James. It's not like we're dating. You didn't have to tell me the truth."

"Yeah." James sighed looking over my shoulder at the door, "Oh shit..."

"What?" I asked turning around to see Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Calle Jarnkrok walk in.

"Nealer!" Roman hollared causing the other two to look over at us

James smiled and waved "Hi, guys!"

"Hey." I said smiling

"Hey, Emilee! Haven't seen you in a while." Roman said

"Yeah." I laughed

"Can we join you?" Calle asked

"We were actually about done..." James started to say, but I cut him off

"Sure! Join us." I smiled.

"Great." Roman said sitting beside me. Mattias sat by James and Calle pulled a chair over.

"What are you two doing out and about?" Roman asked

"Just having some coffee." I replied

"Yeah." James grumbled

"What are you guys doing?"

"Suit shopping." Mattias replied taking a bite of his cookie

"Sounds like fun!"

Roman nodded, "Lots. How come you don't come around as much. You used to come to everything with Richie. Now we only see you once a while at games."

"Oh. I've been busy at the salon."

"Excuse me, Eks." James said. Mattias moved and James got up heading back up to the counter.

"Why are you with Neal?" Calle asked in a whisper

"We became good friends through Dickie and he offered to take me out...excuse me, Roman. I have to go talk to him." Roman moved so I could get out and I headed over to the counter. James was getting another cup of black coffee and the girl was laughing at something James had just said

"Are you ready to go?" I asked him

"Yeah." he replied

"Okay. Let me go say goodbye to the guys." I replied heading to the table, "James and I have to get going, but it was great seeing you guys!"

"Yeah you too." Roman said. Mattias and Calle both waved as James and I left.

"Are you mad?" I asked him

"No?" James said confused

"You seemed mad when the guys came in."

"Oh that. I just didn't want them to bother us. But knowing Jos, Eks and Calle...they wouldn't have just left us alone." James replied "It's no big deal."

"Okay. So to your place?"

"Yeah." James smiled. "I'm excited for you to see it."

Notes

Again. Sorry it's been so long. A girl got fired from work, so I've been working late to pick up the slack and I was depressed yesterday and wasn't in the right frame to write. Hope you enjoy<3