Another Day in Nashville

I was cutting Brandi's (a girl from the salon) hair listening to the girls talk about their night. They had all went out for drinks. "Emilee, why didn't you come?" Nikki asked

Rachel laughed, "She was probably with her boyfriend."

"James isn't my boyfriend...but yes I was with him..."

"Why isn't he your boyfriend, yet? You've been talking for a long time." Brandi said

"It's compli- Oh my god..." I was stopped in my tracks by the site of James walking into the salon with Filip Forsberg

Nikki nearly choked on her lunch as she rushed over to the counter to help them, "H-how can I help you guys?"

James smiled, "We're actually here to see Emilee." he said waving to me

I waved back, "Hey guys."

"Wait a minute...you're Emilee's James?!" Nikki exclaimed

Filip laughed, "You apparently belong to Emilee, Nealer."

James laughed "Yeah, I guess I am Emilee's James."

"Guys, I'll be done with Brandi in a minute. Which of you needs a hair cut?"

Filip's hand shot up "I do."

I smiled. Good. I loved James' hair how it was and didn't want to cut it. "Okay, Fil."

Joelle came up from the back, "Hey do you know where I can find the...holy shit Filip Forsberg and James Neal! Can I help you guys?" she asked

"Emilee is going to help them. He's Emilee's James!" Brandi laughed as I finished her hair. "Thanks, Em."

"Okay, Filip. You're up." I said after sweeping the hair off the floor and cleaning off my brush "What can I do for you?"

"Just a little trim. Not too much, but keep the same shape."

"Okay. So what are you doing out?" I asked

"Filip said he needed a haircut and I suggested we come here." James smiled "I also had to see you."

I smiled back at James as I went to work cutting Filip's hair. "Are you busy tonight?" Filip asked

"That's what I'm supposed to ask." James laughed

I laughed "No, I'm free."

James' cleared his throat "Well we're having a team diner thing and I wanted to know if you'd come? With me?" James asked

"Sure." I smiled

"Great!" James said "It'll be at She Weber's. I'll pick you up around 6?"

"Okay." I smiled finishing cutting Filip's hair

"Thanks, Emilee!" Filip said

"I'll see you tonight." James smiled as the guys paid and headed out

I smiled and started cleaning up my station to head out for the night. "Why aren't you dating him? He's adorable!" Rachel said

"Rach, I don't want to discuss this..."

"He's obviously smitten with you. He didn't stop smiling the whole time they were here. So why not?" Brandi asked

"We're just taking things slow. He's a great guy and I like him, but I just don't know if I'm ready for this kind of relationship. The hockey girlfriend relationship...I've been around Richie and his women enough to know it's difficult. Also, I'm just not ready for a serious relationship." I didn't know who I was trying to convince more...myself? Or the girls...

Truth was...I was bothered by what Richie had said. At first, it was because of Josh. But I'd been over that...but I couldn't get Richie's words out of my head. Why did he keep protesting my relationship with James? Richie had never acted that way towards dates before...
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James' car pulled into my driveway and I headed out. He got out of the car and opened the door for me, "You look beautiful." he said smiling

I smiled back. I had decided to wear a red cocktail dress that I'd gotten a few months ago, but never had an occasion to wear it. "Thanks. So do you." I replied. He was wearing a grey suit coat and pants with a purple button up and a matching tie.

James laughed "I look beautiful?" he asked making that puzzled face that I was starting to love

"Yes." I laughed, kissing him

James pulled away, "Emilee?"

"Yeah?"

James looked down and sighed "Nevermind, let's go..."

I grabbed his hand "James, what? Tell me."

"What are we doing?"

"Going to Shea's?" I said, confused by what he meant

"I don't mean at this very moment...I meant with us...what are we doing?" he sighed "I'm sorry, I know you said you want to wait, but I just...I like you a lot, Emilee...I can't stop thinking about you. I'm sorry...I'll shut up."

"James..." I sighed "Can we talk about this later?"

James nodded, "I'm sorry..."

"Please stop apologizing..." I felt bad. I didn't know what to tell him. I didn't want to tell him what Rich said and start a fight...

"Okay." James nodded as we drove to Shea Weber's. Dinner was great. Shea and Mike had prepared it for everyone. After dinner, I sat with Carrie and a few of the other WAGS as the guys played football outside.

It was getting late when the guys came back in. James and I left, driving to his place so we could talk. He pulled his car in the driveway. I noticed a second car parked as soon as James did "What the..." he mumbled as we stepped out of his Ferrari

The second we climbed out of the car, a gorgeous blonde girl hopped out of the mystery vehicle, "What the hell, James?" she said, her arms folded across her chest "I've been waiting here for two hours! Two hours, Jamesy! Who the hell is this?" she said staring at me

"I could say the same thing." I responded looking over at James

James swallowed hard, "This is um...Melanie this is Emilee..." he stammered

"Melanie? Your ex?" I asked looking at James

Melanie laughed "His ex? Is that what he told you? I'm his girlfriend!"

I turned to James waiting for him to deny it. He didn't. He couldn't meet my gaze. "Emilee...let me explain..." he started finally looking at me

"Is. She. Your. Girlfriend?" I asked him

"Emilee..." James said grabbing for my hand

I smacked his hand away "Answer the fucking question!"

James sighed, "Yes, but..."

That's all I needed to hear. I slapped him hard across the face. He looked at me his face filled with shame, hurt and confusion. I just shook my head and walked off, dialing Richie's number as I fought back tears. "Hey!" he said

"Richie..." I choked out

"Donahue, you okay?"

"I need...I need a ride..."

"I'll be right there."

I couldn't believe it. Richie was right...I shouldn't have trusted him. Not only had he lied to me about his relationship being over with Melanie...but I'd been the girl on the side. He was cheating on her with me! I mean we'd only had sex once, but we'd been building a relationship...I felt the tears fall harder as Richie's car pulled up to me. He got out and hugged me "I'm sorry..."

"He lied to me..." I said

"What do you mean?" Rich asked confused

"He's still with her. He was just using me..."

"Donahue..." Richie said

"Just take me home, Richie..." I sighed

Rich nodded and drove home. I felt my phone buzz and saw his name flash across my screen. I ignored it. I'd heard all I needed from him. No wonder he was willing to just be friends for the time being. He already had someone...

Notes