JN - With You Around - Awakening

And all my life, I looked for you
For arms that I could fall into

"Who do you think you are?"
"Excuse me?" I stared at this girl in a nice pink short dress and cowboy boots.
"I just was making a joke and you took it the complete wrong way. Besides your body language is all standoffish, so who do you think you are?" She repeated the last question to me. I stared at her shocked that she noticed. Do I love my fans? Of course!Did I hate signings? Yes. I hated all the fake people saying they love me when they don't really know me. It's flattering but annoying that's all they can say to me! 'I love you James, can I have your babies?' Gross! Leave me alone! I'd much rather have this in a more personal setting anyways. There is just way to many people in this line! I looked back up at this girl, she was the first one to call me out on my attitude and posture. I was stunned. I didn't know how to reply. She quickly was pushed along to talk to Kris. I noticed how they interacted. They laughed and joked. She seemed nice. Even Duper laughed with her. I continued to sign and not really talk to anyone. I was thinking about that girl and what she said. I took out my phone and started to text my good friend on the team. Then I looked up and I saw her. She was standing on the second level looking down at me. I wanted to talk to her. I needed to talk to her. I motioned for my agent to come closer.
"I need to talk to that girl in the pink dress." I motioned toward the second level. "Bring her to me." He gave me questionable look but nodded. I looked up at her again. This time we made eye contact. Someone else approached the table but I kept glancing up toward the railing. I saw Mark approach her and she looked down on me again. I nodded. I saw her follow him; she didn't look too happy. Okay now that I have her coming down here, what do I say? How do I answer her question with everyone here?
I concentrated on signing and taking a couple photos when I noticed she was on the stage with Mark. Oh geez now what. "Hi"
"Hello." She stated cooly.
"Can we talk after I'm done signing?" She looked shocked but nodded. "Meet me by the JC Penny's at 830." She nodded again and walked off the stage.

I quickly raced to the department store as soon as the last person left the stage. I prayed that she would still be there. Relief swept over me when I saw her sitting on the bench with her legs crossed. She stood up as I approached her.
"You're late. The mall is closing in 15 minutes. This better be quick." She told me. I felt bad for being late and she made it worse. But I still felt like I owed her an explanation.
"Let's talk in my car."
"Or mine." She stated.
"Or yours, where are you parked?"
"The center of the mall."
"I'm right here." I tugged her arm and pulled her down the corridor to the exit. Once outside she broke free of my embrace.
"You don't have to be so rough, I'm not going anywhere." I gave an apologetic look and continued to my car. She followed. I opened her passenger door before climbing in the driver seat. "So Mr. Neal what is that you want to talk about?"
"Mr. Neal? You can't be that much younger me."
"How old do I look?"
"22-23." I replied. She had such a baby face and it looked soft too. I saw a smile appear across her luscious lips. What was this girl doing to me?
"Thanks but I'm 25."
"Same as me." She definitely didn't look her age. I was glad that we were the same age. Then I spilled everything about my horrendous day. "I'm sorry for being an ass today. It's been rough. I was running late for practice. I was off on my drills. My girlfriend broke up with me, my car wouldn't start and I was at her house. That's why I was late. She had to take me home to get another vehicle. And I hit traffic." I told her. She didn't look too phased.
"Well, you shouldn't have taken it out on your fans. They paid good money to see and converse with you. They are a huge part of your success. If it wasn't for them buying your jersey and coming out to meet you your career wouldn't be where it's at today." She was absolutely right. "And texting on your phone is just rude! How could you not pay attention to the fans? What could have been so important tha-" I leaned over and kissed her. I don't know why she was turning me on by scolding me but it was hot. At first I could tell she was stunned but then her body started to react. Her lips kissed mine back. But she abruptly stopped me. "What are you doing?"
"Kissing you."
"Yes but why?"
"You're turning me on."
"You're just looking for a rebound Mr. Neal and it’s not going to be me!" She reached for the handle. But I locked the door.
"Please don't go. I'm sorry. Are you hungry? Can I take you out to dinner?" She slowly turned around in the passenger seat.
"Why are you doing this?"
"You're the first person to call me out on my actions and you're incredibly attractive." I saw her expression soften.
"I am quite hungry, what did you have in mind?" What came to mind were dirty proactive thoughts that shouldn't be discussed at this point.
"Is there a TGIFriday's or Applebee's in the area?" I asked.
"TGIFriday's is down the waterfront so Applebee's is closer. There's also a Chili's, Eat N Park, Buffalo Wild Wings..."
"Chili's sound okay?" She nodded and gave me the directions from the mall to the restaurant. She hopped out of the car before I could open the door. But I put my arm around her shoulders as we walked through the doors. Thankfully she didn't pull away.
"Hi, just two tonight?" I nodded to the waitress and looked down at her. She fit perfectly in my arms. She was the right height. We followed the waitress to our table and I pulled out the chair for her. I heard a soft thanks escape her lips and it took all might not to kiss her again.
"So Jimmy, why did your girlfriend break up with you?"
"Oh am I Jimmy now?" I laughed at her. She was starting to show her sweet, playful side and I was falling hard and fast over her. "I haven't been called that since I was in grade school." Not that the name bothered but I just preferred James. "Why Stella broke up with me was because she couldn't handle my lifestyle."
"Is it truly that or something else?"
"That is part of it." It blew my mind that she could read more into that sentence after barely knowing me. "She cheated on me while I was on the road. And you know when she told me I didn't care. I had fallen out of love with her. And her cheating proved to be the icing on the cake."
"But you're playing the victim, why were you so upset that she broke up with you when you weren't in love with her?"
"Regardless, wouldn't you be upset that you got dumped?" She bit her lip and looked deep in thought. "I was more frustrated that my car broke down than her dumping me." When I finished the server came by to take our orders. "But yes I tend to be an ass. I don't know how else to act.”
"Well, start by not thinking the world revolves around you. You give off the aroma and you seem very standoffish." She didn't tip toe around my feelings. But she had a point. "Did you let the fame go to your head?"
"Yes, I think I did."
"It's okay it happens to the best of people." She smiled at me. Her smile just made her more gorgeous and irresistible. Her hand was resting on the table and I reached over to grab it. I saw her blush at our touch.
"Can you help me?"
"With what?"
"Be a better person." She smiled at me.
"Only you can really change. But yes I will help you if you like."
"I would really appreciate your help."
"Well how bout start by asking my name!" I stared at her. I can't believe I didn't ask her name sooner. I felt so stupid for not asking for it.
"What's your name?"
"Emmaleigh."
"That's so pretty." She thanked me and took a sip of her water. "So can I call ya Em or Lee?"
"Actually some people call me Emma because of the way it's spelled." She then told me the unique way her parents spelled her name. Quite pretty. "But you can call me Em if you like."
"Okay, Em." We talked a bit more about her life; about her work, family, and friends. She told me her passion is photography. And I recalled the photo she had me sign. "You really are a good photographer. I liked that photo of me."
"Thanks. I love trying to capture players in motion. I am actually attending Tuesday’s game with my uncle."
"Where are your seats?"
"Uh 215 I think."
"So high! Did you want to sit closer?"
"Of course. One of my goals is to sit on the glass. But these are someone's season tickets." She explained.
"I can get you ice seats."
"For Tuesday?"
"No not Tuesday. I can get you a box at least if you want to take them."
"You don't have to do that."
"I want to do that, Em. I like you. Please let me upgrade your seats." She looked at me with her deep brown eyes as she thought about my offer. Just then the server brought our food. She ordered the chicken tacos and I ordered a steak.
"Okay James. I'll let you upgrade our seats to the box." She smiled at me. I know there is something special about her and I wasn't going to let her go. "My Uncle and I are going to try to get autographs after the game."
"Where?"
"Outside."
"So I should stop and sign autographs after the game?"
"I think it wouldn't hurt."
"How bout I save your toes and hands, and you just meet the players in the locker room?"
"James!"
"What?"
"I think my uncle would die!"
"Well what about you?"
"Of course, I think I'll turn into Jello." She laughed.
"So box seats and I'll have someone escort you down after the game. Got it." I smiled at her.
"Being nice to a fan is a start. But think about being nice to everyone who cares about you. Think where that will lead." She beamed at me.
"Emmaleigh, you are truly and amazing person. Thanks for standing up to me tonight. I am excited to get to know you more. We should go out again." I spilled to her. Her eyes darted around the room.
"James this is nice but don't you think it's too soon? You're girlfriend just broke up with you and like I said I am not going to be your rebound."
"Em you're not! I'm so over Stella. I was considering breaking things off with her anyway."
"Just give it some time please." She told me. "You're not the only one dealing with a break-up."
"Who broke your heart? I'll kick his ass."
"James! That won't solve anything." She stated. "You're supposed to be nicer to people."
"Not people who has broken the girl you like heart." she nodded but didn't say anything. "What happened?"
"I fell in love with him but he didn't feel the same way. He broke up with me."
"Bastard, how could someone not love you?"
"Well... I can be a bit moody, I like things my way, I can be a -" I didn't let her finish because I leaned over the table and all the food to kiss her again. And this time it didn't take her that long to react. The kiss left us breathless. "James." She breathed. I like the sound of my name rolling off her tongue like that. I am pretty sure her mouth and tongue would be good elsewhere. I had to stop thinking like that before I got too excited and hiked her dress up right here before indulging myself deep inside.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked me. God I wanted to tell her the details in my head but I just said you. "What about me?" She pushed the issue. I was thinking about how good you would look on your knees in front of me or bent over this table taking you from behind.
"Just you." She frowned a little not happy with the vague response. "If I tell you I'll be moving two steps forward." She studied my face for a moment and then had that aha moment.
"Oh James." She stated and it made me wonder if she was also thinking the same thing. "How did we end up here?" I gave her a quizzical look. "I was so turned off by your attitude toward me this evening and we are thinking about another date and possibly more." She said possibly more which means she probably was thinking about us in the sexual manor. Alright, we are on the same page!
"Why don't you come back to my house?"
"Oh I'm sorry I can't. I'm going down to see my cousin for his birthday tomorrow morning."
"That's fine. Where does he live?"
"His family lives in VA near DC. That's the same uncle is coming up for the game."
"That's pretty sweet. Are you and your family flying?"
"Nope. I'm driving and it's just me going."
"You're driving by yourself?" She nodded. "I don't like it. What if something happens to you?"
"James, I've driven this way numerous times. I'll be fine."
"I just don't like the thought of you on a highway by yourself. You better text me when you arrive."
"I would if I had your number," she smirked at me. We then exchanged numbers. The bill arrived and she offered to pay for her portion but I declined. "Thank you for dinner James." She told me as we made our way out to the car hand in hand.
"You're welcome Emmaleigh." I held her hand as I drove the way back down to her car.
"I'm the little blue Saturn." She told me and I drove to the only car in the parking lot. "Well, I’ll see you Tuesday." She turned and got out of the car. I opened my door.
"Wait a min Em." She walked over to me and I pulled her into a kiss. We stood there for awhile just kissing. She ran her fingers though my hair and my hand started to hike her dress up her thigh.
"James, we should stop before we do something we regret."
"I won't regret it." I pulled her body back to me and crushed my lips onto hers. She kissed me back before pulling away.
"Goodnight James." She gave me a peck on the cheek and walked around to her driver’s side.
"Goodnight Em." I sat back in the driver set and just smiled. She was a remarkable woman and I couldn't wait to show her off to the guys on Tuesday! I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I looked down and saw it was my agent. "Hello." What he could possibly want at 11 pm?
"What did you do to Stella?" He asked.

***
The inspiration for this story after actually meeting James Neal about two weeks. He must have been having a bad day because he was very rude and standoffish. His whole body language was off too and he was texting during the signing. But then I met him again just last night and he seemed happier. He told me it was nice to meet me. So that but him back on my good side!
Enjoy the story!