The One Where They Make Plans...

Charlie had just stepped out of the shower and was drying herself off when she heard her phone go off in the bedroom.

She secured the towel around her figure before she padded over to her bedside table.  She answered without looking at the caller ID, “Hello there!”

“Hello to you to!” she could hear him smile through the phone.

Though it felt like a moth, James had been gone for 9 days.  There wasn’t a day where he didn’t text or call Charlie back in Pittsburgh, The conversation was light as always—how their day had been, TV shows that they were watching… His work had taken him to Canada and California, and even with the time changes they still managed to talk.

“Our plane gets in late tonight, early morning for you,” he paused.  Charlie pictured him rubbing the back of his neck, “but uh, would you maybe want to have dinner with me tomorrow night?”

At that moment Charlie was quite happy she wasn’t with James in person.  She bit her bottom lip as she smiled and did a little hop, holding tight onto her towel.  She waved her hand over her face as a way to compose herself.

“Sure, I’d love—” she stopped herself.  “Wait, tomorrow’s Sunday?” she stated more than asked.

“Yea, it is,” James said over the line.

“Damn,” Charlie mumbled.  “I’m sorry, James I can’t.  I already had plans tomorrow night.” She didn’t bother to hide her disappointment.

“Oh,” James said, just as disappointed.  “A hot date?” he laughed.

Did he sound nervous?  Charlie thought.

“No!” she answered too quickly and rolled her eyes.  “A-hem.  I mean no, just a family dinner.”

Charlie swore she heard him sigh in relief, which only made her do the same.

“I’m free Monday,”

--

James must have glanced at the clock on the wall at least a hundred times, he was sure that time was fighting against him.  The minutes passed by so slowly James thought his clock might have been broken, he replaced its batteries twice already.

He would have been happier to see Charlie when he got home on Sunday, but she was already busy.  Can you just imagine how anxious I’d be if it were later in the week?!  He laughed at himself.

Instead they decided on dinner Monday night and Charlie insisted on repaying James for the Chinese by making dinner.  James was going he pick her up at her office at 6 and take them to the grocery store to pick up any ingredients she’d need for cooking.

After all the NHL Network he could take, James checked the clock once more.  He bolted from his couch when he saw it was 5 o’clock.  He took a quick shower, before shaving what little facial hair had grown in the past few days.

“I’ve never been more grateful to have no roommates,” James mumbled to himself as he stood in his closet trying on shirt after shirt.  He’d get it from them if they knew how much of girl he was being.

Settling on a pair of tailored khakis and an army green polo, he headed back into the bathroom for the final piece to the puzzle.

The hair.

He could have left it alone and just put some gel in it, but he washed it for tonight was a special occasion.  James lined up his comb and hair products in a line and got to work.

It began with running the towel over his head, getting it dry.  Next, James combed it before blow-drying it a bit, making sure it was stick straight.  Then he squeezed gel into his hands, and ran his hands through his hair.

Front to back.  Back to front.  Right side and up.  Left side and up.  Mess it up—run hands all over.  Scrunch.  Fluff.  Done.

James stepped into his bedroom and took a look at the time on his phone.  It was time to go, so he grabbed his keys and winter jacket and headed for the front door.  He made sure to stop and take a look at the finished product in the hallway mirror.

Damn, he grinned.

Go get ‘em tiger.

--

He pulled up to the address she had texted him earlier and parked out front.  As he got out of the car he saw Charlie come through the glass doors.

James pulled back the sleeve of his jacket and checked his watch, he wasn’t late—right on time actually.

“Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” she beamed as she walked down the stone steps.

“I would’ve come up to your office and got you.  I hope you weren’t waiting long,” he said.

She came to a stop just a foot from him, “Which is exactly why I came down.  My boss is also my friend, so you’d get the third degree.  And probably her phone number,” Charlie giggled.

“Ah, so you’re actually saving me,” James joked.

For just a minute they stood there smiling at each other before Charlie shook her head.  “Fine, fine.  I’ll give,” she closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around James’ neck.  He reveled in the feeling of her so close to him, but he wished her thick jacket wasn’t in the way of his hands holding her waist.

Charlie was the first to pull away.  “Shall we?”

James held the passenger door open for her, before he ran around to his side.  He eased his way into the afternoon traffic, the roar of his Mercedes' engine masking the revving of their own engines inside.  

The One Where TK Loses...

“Wait, wait!  Let’s stop before we go any further,”

Charlie fell against the back of the chair and sighed.  She kept her eyes closed, bracing herself for what she knew was coming.

“He surprised you with dinner, stayed all night ‘talking’—”

“Don’t do that!” Charlie groaned, smacking down the hands of her best friend, “Don’t do the air quotations.  We really did talk!”

Tori rolled her eyes, “Yea, ok.  And I’m a princess,”

“Baby, you’re my princess!” her fiancé, Andrew, called from inside their family room.

Charlie stuck her finger in her mouth, like she was gagging.  “Oh hush!” Tori chastised before continuing on her rant.  “And you’ve only met him once?”

“Well technically twice, but the second time was for like a second—”

“Didn’t he walk you home once?” Charlie nodded yes.  “Jesus Charlotte, I never thought you were the type of girl who would put out on the first date,”

“Tori!” she could feel her cheeks reddening.  “I did not sleep with him, do anything with him!  Thanks for thinking so much of me, ‘best friend,’” she mocked her using air quotations.

“Oh, you know I’m joking,” Tori got up to make another pot of coffee. “But seriously, you met in a grocery store and he shows up at your place?  That’s kind of weird, if you ask me.”

Charlie had to admit, she was a bit shocked at first.  James had shown up with dinner out of the blue, and ended up staying over until almost 2 am.  But all they did was talk, and it was actually really relaxing and fun.  Charlie couldn’t remember the last time she enjoyed talking with someone as much as she had that night—the conversation flowed so easily. 

“I don’t know, he was…” Charlie paused, trying to sum up his laid back attitude and charismatic personality.

“Damn girl,” Tori said, leaning up against the counter with a new cup of coffee, warm in her hands.  “Look at you, you can’t stop smiling,” 

Charlie blushed as her best friend gawked at her.

“When do you see him next?” she asked excitedly. 

“I’m not sure.  He had a business trip he was going on—he left today, I think.  He said that’s why he surprised me, he didn’t want to wait until he got back to see me,”

“Um, swoon!” Tori gasped and placed a hand to her heart, making Charlie laugh.  Andrew yelled from the other room, “Now that’s gag worthy,”

--

Their plan landed in Toronto late Friday afternoon.  Though November was just a few days away, when the sun went down the Canadian air dropped until it felt like the middle of a harsh winter.

James entered the hotel with his teammates, whose bombastic, loud voices quickly filled the silent lobby.  “Whoever wants to grab dinner, lobby in twenty!” shouted Flower.

He looked around for his roommate on the road Paul Martin.  To make things easier he always grabbed both their sets of room keys—it meant for a quicker escape from the masses downstairs.  He spotted the blonde defenseman by the elevators and weaved his way through his teammates, just making it inside the elevator before the doors closed. 

James followed Paul into their room, throwing his suitcase on the bed by the window.  He took a seat on the edge and pulled out his phone.

No New Text Messages.

He sighed, tossing the phone beside him.

Since when did I become one of those guys—the kind that checks their phone every 5 seconds to see if she’s texted?  I’ve known this girl for what, two weeks and I’m already hooked.

The banging on the hotel room door snapped James out of his daze.  He glanced over at Martin who was lying down and about to pass out.  James grabbed his phone and room key and headed to the elevator.

James met up with a couple of guys in the lobby, mostly the younger players—Sidney Crosby, Geno Malkin, Jordan Staal, Kris Letang, Flower and Tyler “TK” Kennedy.  They bundled up before heading out to a steakhouse just a couple blocks from their hotel.

He lasted almost 15 minutes once they sat down without having to check his phone.  But an empty mailbox was all he found.

When he left Charlie’s that night, he made sure to exchange numbers with her.  He didn’t want to have to track her down again—though she said having his number wasn’t as charming as him stalking her. 

Now she’s just making fun of him.  He pulled her in for a hug and held her close, kissing her cheek softly before saying goodnight. 

Slow and steady wins the race, he repeated over and over.

“Nealer, quite looking at your damn phone,” Jordan chirped from across the table.  “Fuck off, I was just checking the time,” James shrugged.

“Either you’ve got fucking early onset Alzheimer’s or you’re waiting for someone to hit you up,”

“Jamesy, you got girl waiting for you?” Geno said as more of a statement than question.  His broken English made it seem less annoying than Staal’s.  “She have friend for Geno, no?”

He just shook his head and took a sip of his beer.  Staal leaned forward to fire back when Kris jumped up from his seat beside him yelping, throwing a lobster head he found in his suit pocket on the table.  As always, all eyes turned to Flower who was howling.

“Vraiment des putains de drôle!” Letang yelled at his fellow Frenchman. 

Just as James slid his phone back into his pocket, it buzzed.  He looked up to make sure all the guys weren’t looking in his direction, especially the tall, lanky blonde.  Using the tablecloth to dim the bright light of his iPhone, he pulled it out as secretly as he could.  

1 New Text Message.

His thumb swiftly pressed ‘Open.’

From: Charlie

I wish you were here…

James couldn’t keep the grin from stretching ear to ear—that is until he realized that there was more to that text.

From: Charlie

I wish you were here to witness the awkwardness that just occurred with my landlord

To: Charlie

I do have a love for awkward situations  *shoop shoop shoop*

From: Charlie

Har. Har.

From: Charlie

I was just interrogated about the ‘devilishly handsome man’ that left my apartment late the other night

To: Charlie

You don’t have to put that in quotes, I know that’s what you think of me

From: Charlie

You’re right, your beauty just astounds me

To: Charlie

I get that a lot.  I wouldn’t blame you if you just fell at my feet and did as I told

From: Charlie

Ah, if only that dream of yours would come true…

To: Charlie

Don’t they say ‘dreams can come true’?

From: Charlie

Yes, yes they do.  But then again we live in Pittsburgh, not Disney Land

To: Charlie

Damn.  I’ll have to request a transfer to Anaheim

From: Charlie

Tell Bobby Ryan I say hi!  He’s a dreamboat

To: Charlie

He has a lisp!

From: Charlie

James, don’t be mean! It’s cute!  Kind of sexy… in a way

To: Charlie

I worry about you

From: Charlie

As do I, as do I. Hope your trip is going well

To: Charlie

I’m surrounded by a bunch of boys who pull pranks with lobsters… I wish I was back in Pit with you…

Before he could read what Charlie said back, his phone was snatched out of his hands.  TK held his phone with his left hand, furthest from James.

“Who are we texting Nealer?” he said loudly.

“A-ha!  I knew it, fucking Nealer!” Staal barked, his blue eyes glaring at James.

“Woah, Charlie?  Uh, dude, are you gay?” TK stared at him, wide eyed.  “I mean, not that that’s a problem,”

“What?!  No!” James panicked.  “No I’m not gay!  Charlie is short for Charlotte.  Tell ‘em Kris!” he stuttered.

Kris had been with James when he ran into Charlie at the coffee shop.  When they were on their way out Kris just gave him a look—a look that said ‘tell me who she is or I’ll embarrass you.’

Naturally, James was quick to fill him on their brief relationship.  He knew that he’d lose to Kris if he had gone up to Charlie, that man has a way with women.  James felt that he was man enough to make the statement that he was one good-looking guy, with an amazing head of hair.

“’I wouldn’t blame you if you fell at my feet and did as I told’?  Jesus Nealer, does that actually work for you?” TK asked, scrolling through the conversation with Charlie.

James reached for his phone but the forward was too fast, pulling away.  He started to text on his phone and James began panicking again.

“Kennedy, don’t,” he growled.

“What, I’m not going to embarrass you or anything,” His evil grin said differently.  TK made sure to emphasize when he pressed ‘send’ before handing back the phone.  James took it hastily, scrolling through his phone for any damage.  His eyes about popped out of his head when he saw what TK had texted Charlie.

From: Charlie

Why do boys play with their food… I’ll be sure to pay you back for dinner the other night when you get back in town

To: Charlie

I know how you can pay me back.  It involves playing… but not with food

“What the hell, man!” TK dove out of his seat before James could hit him.

He chuckled as he moved to the empty chair on the other side of the table, “Just trying to help your game bro,”

James’ thumbs couldn’t move fast enough to type out an apology and an explanation.  Charlie beat him.

From: Charlie

I think you owe me a couple more dinners first to equal to that Mr.

--

“Alright boys, hand ‘em over,” Sidney took off his beanie and threw his credit card in, passing it around for all the guys to do the same.  It was their way of picking someone to pay for dinner.  Throw everyone’s credit card in a hat and have the unbiased (usually) waiter them out one by one until there’s one left—the sucker who has to pay for the meals of multiple 200 pound hockey players.

“Excuse me, miss?  Brittany?” he politely called to our waitress walking by.

She stopped dead in her tracks and slowly walked up to him at the end of the table.  James couldn’t hear him from a couple seats down, but he couldn’t miss the rush of redness that appeared on her cheeks when he spoke to her.

Either she’s that star stuck or he told her he was going to take her to a bed & breakfast on the beach—with no plans of seeing the ocean, James thought.

One by one a credit card was pulled… first it was Flower, Staal, and then Crosby—who gave her a quick wink.

It totally was rigged.

Geno stood up and raised his arms Rocky style when his card was pulled before Staal’s.  It was down to TK and Kris, and the boys gave a drum roll as Brittany pulled out the runner up.

“Kristopher Letang,” she announced quietly.  Kris gave her a wink.

I like to call that the panty dropper.

She called his name and TK slapped the edge of the table with his palms.  “God damn it!”

James couldn’t help but laugh.  Karma’s a bitch TK!

He stayed behind to pay while the rest of the guys filed out of the restaurant and back towards the hotel.  While they stood outside in the cold air Sidney looked over to James.

“I thought that was good enough payback,” he giggled his high-pitched laugh, and bumped James in the shoulder.

What a great captain.

The One Where It Takes Off...

It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the lone source of light from the muted TV.  She had woken suddenly to a loud noise, and found herself hunched over on the couch in her family room.  What was meant to be a short twenty-minute nap lasted two hours.

Knock, Knock.

Startled again by the noise, Charlie peeled herself off the couch quickly.  She arched her back and cracked it before she switched on a few lights while heading to her apartment door.  The old lock slid open easily for Charlie as she greeted her unexpected guest.

“Hey—” James cocked his head to the side, “Were you sleeping?”

Rubbing her eyes she mumbled no, making James chuckle.

“Well I hope you’re not too tired to eat, I practically cleaned out the Chinese place down the street,” he held up the large brown bag in his hands before motioning inside the apartment.  "I wasn't sure what you liked."

--

James felt bad as he watched Charlie struggle to hide her yawn.  She stepped to the side to let him in and closed the door.  They stood in hallway while she took a moment or two to wake up.

There were two doors opposite the front door that led to a full bath and the other was where the laundry machine quietly hummed as it washed the items within.  To the left of the front door were the kitchen and family room.  And to the right was a single door that was slightly ajar, what James could only assume was the bedroom.

After a 360 tour from his perch inside the doorway he turned back to Charlie as she came to, eyeing the bag of food resting in his left arm.  He laughed as she licked her lips in hunger.

“Lets eat!”  Charlie led him into the kitchen and grabbed plates and silverware from various cabinets.  James laid out the food on the counter top before he draped his jacket on the back of a nearby chair. 

“What would you like to drink?” she asked from inside the fridge, her ass in the air.  James couldn’t help but admire the view.  “I’ve got water, orange juice… and one Natty Light,” she held up the beer like Vanna White.

He laughed, “Though you make it look very tasty, I think I’ll go with water,” Charlie pouted before trading the beer for a pitcher of water.  “I'll never get rid of that Natty,” she sighed.

James took a seat next to Charlie at the breakfast bar, discreetly inching his stool a bit closer to hers as he sat down.  Charlie was quick to claim all the broccoli and chicken, but as for the rest they helped themselves to the numerous dishes.

“How are you?” James asked, making small talk in between bites.  “I haven’t seen you down at the grocery store recently, and Janet said she hasn't seen you either.”

Smooth man, he shook his head as Charlie giggled at him.

“Uh yea, I guess I haven’t needed to make a grocery run lately,” she picked up a bite of the sweet and sour chicken with her fork, “Been kind of busy lately,”

Turning slightly to the left towards Charlie, his knee brushed against the side of her leg.  She didn’t move away and James kept his leg there.

“Have a lot going on at work?  Where exactly is work for you—I actually don’t know anything about you really,” James admitted with a bashful smile.  He was startled when Charlie’s fork clanged against her plate.

“Ok, I mean this with no intention to be rude," she smiled warmly, "Though I am enjoying this free meal.  And I guess it’s always nice to have company for dinner, but what are you doing here?”

--

After dinner, and trying to sound as casual as possible in saying he wanted to see her again so he brought dinner, Charlie had insisted on doing the cleaning.  That was fine with James who was left to himself.  He happily sat back with his arms across his chest, and took in the sight before him. 

Torn up light blue jeans sat low on Charlie’s hip.  The grey t-shirt was a size too small, though James wasn’t about to complain.  Her soft curves and flat stomach were playing peek-a-boo when she'd reach up into the overhead cabinets.  His eyes fixed on how tight the shirt was across her chest as she moved around in the kitchen.

Standing at the sink in the island, Charlie was rinsing a plate with the spray when just a bit of water hit the plate at an odd angle and lightly sprayed her shirt.  It was barely any and so cliche, but James couldn’t help himself as he licked his lips.

Calm down, boy.  Let’s take this slow, he thought.

“Mind if I take a look around?” he asked over the clanging dishes, already up and wandering around before Charlie answered.

He studied the photos lined up on the TV console.  There were a few of her and some girlfriends.  At the bar and holding up shots, as kids, at a birthday party.  Her smile always reached her eyes and long blond hair framed the face that James was growing to like more and more.

Another photo was a family one.  There was no doubt that the woman who was holding Charlie close was her mother, she was her spitting image.  On the other side of her mom was a young, good-looking guy who James assumed was her brother.  No father though, he'd wait to ask about that until he got to know her better.

“You all look alike, he said softly, but loud enough for Charlie to hear, "You have the same smile,” He looked over his shoulder to see her smiling like she was proud.

He moved along with the tour of her family room.  The walls were painted a pale lime green, giving the room a soft glow even at night.  Two orange and plush looking chairs winged a modern, khaki colored couch.  Accents in the cream curtains, the swanky rug and personal accessories were what made the area cozy and stylish. 

James sat down on the couch and sunk into the cushions.  He was looking at the vintage wooden trunk that acted as a coffee table when his eyes glanced over the numerous papers and photos scattered on top.  He narrowed in on what looked to be a seating chart.  He scooted a paper over to read what t was, ‘Wedding Reception Seating Chart.’

It was like tunnel vision—he couldn’t see anything else but the wedding plans laid out before him. 

Holy shit, she’s getting married!  Damn, what a lucky son of a bitch.  Wait, he’s not here.  Which means he’ll come home.  To find another man in his house, hitting on his woman…  I. Am. Outta. Here.

James shot off the couch and paced for a few steps.  He rubbed the back of his neck, a habit of his whenever he’s nervous.

“James, are you ok?”

--

James must not have noticed her walk up beside him.  He stumbled to the side and into a table by the chair.  His quick reflexes came in handy to catch the lamp that almost shattered on the hardwood floor.

“Who?  Me?  Oh yea.  Yea, I’m great,” he rambled, “Nice place,” Charlie eyed him.  He looked nervous and kept eying the front door.

Ok, I don’t get you.  You come to my place unannounced and now you’re trying to escape me as if I've got a disease.  She stuck her hands in her the back pockets of jeans, keeping her head down slightly.  “If you have to get going… thanks for dinner...”

James cleared his throat, looking over his shoulder at the coffee table.  “I just don’t want to keep you from your wedding plans,” he pointed.

Charlie couldn’t help it as her face fell and she rolled her eyes.  “Ugh,” she tilted her head to the side, running her hands down her face, “I can’t wait for it to be over!”

James took a step back and his hand pulled away from grabbing his jacket.  “Shouldn’t you be excited?  It is a big day,”

“I mean, I guess I am,” Charlie shrugged.   She walked over to the charts and papers giving them a once over.  “I was doing it as a favor, but it's just been one crazy mess.  She totally owes me,”

She took a seat on the couch and looked up to see James step in front of her.  His head thrashed from side to side, “I didn’t know gay marriage was legal in Pennsylvania,”

“Gay?  Tori isn’t gay,” Charlie couldn’t help but laugh.

“Tori?”

“Yea?  She’s the one you met for a quick second the other day at the coffee shop.  Well she's gone by Victoria ever since college.  Apparently Tori isn’t feminine enough for her,” she scoffed, “She thinks I’m a tomboy for going by Charlie instead of Charlotte.  ‘What if someone sees your name and thinks you’re a guy?  That would be so embarrassing,'Cause you're not!'" Charlie mocked.  "Thanks for stating the obvious Tor,"

Quit rambling!  You’re being ridiculous, ugh!.

James plopped down on the couch next to her, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

One damn good-looking Cheshire cat, she involuntarily thought.

“What about you?” he asked.

“Me?  I prefer Charlie.  I think it's cute!  And I just, I don’t like how I got my name,” her smile faltered a bit but if James noticed he didn’t say a thing.

Instead, he chuckled at her.  “No, silly.  I mean marriage.”

“Oh!  Oh.  No, that’s not really for me,” Charlie put her hands up defensively.

James peered over his shoulder at her as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.  His wide shoulders stretched the fabric of his white button-up.  He had a five o'clock shadow, and boy did it work for him.  His hair was spiked up a bit and was a little long, brushing against the tips of his ears.  She had to sit on her hands to stop her fingers from playing with it.

“So there’s no special man in your life?”

Charlie smiled shyly.  “No,” She looked up and her eyes met with James’.  “But there is this guy I met at the grocery store,”

He sat back and laid an arm across the back of the couch.

When did he get so close?

“Is that so?” James asked all cocky.

“Yea.  Kind of cute, but a bit of a stalker.  Kind of creepy.” she said with a straight face.

James just smiled.  “I don’t stalk, I just run into you in a premeditated manner,”

Charlie laughed loudly and her head fell back slightly.  Her giggle faded out and she looked back at him and sighed.

Woah.  Did he just lick his lips?  Stop staring at his mouth, look away from his lips.  Stop!

James laughed. 

What?  Did I say something funny?  Did he say something funny?  Shit.  Laugh, or he’ll notice you’re not paying attention!

She let a small, light laugh escape.

He licked ‘em again!  He knows I'm staring!  

James leaned in close, his face only a few inches from hers.  "If you ask me, I think Charlie is a sexy name for a girl," he winked.

Well shit, take me now!