(Part two to the first James Neal imagine that was written to Some time Around Midnight by Airborne Toxic Event. This part is written to the song “One and Only” by Adele. Italicized words are from the song.)
Your heart hammered inside your chest as James stared with a wild expression into your eyes. All of a sudden James’s lips were on yours and, like the previous six months of separation had never happened, you kissed back. Your eyes fluttered closed. James’s arms wrapped around your waist.
“You’ve been on my mind. I grow fonder every day.”
He broke the kiss; you both left breathing heavy. James continued to stare at you like if he blinked you might disappear.
“You’re the only one I want.”
You looked to your side at Jeremy, the guy you had gone on a few dates with. He looked about as stunned as you felt.
“I’m sorry…” You started to say before he cut you off.
“I’ll go. Just… call me or something.”
You nodded at him and watched him turn away before looking back to James.
“I don’t know why I’m scared. I’ve been here before.”
“Hi.” James said shyly with a slight smile.
You gave a little laugh and looked down towards your feet, “Hi.”
“Can we get coffee or something?”
You nodded and started walking with him along with the flow of the pedestrians. A few minutes later you both had reached the coffee shop you had attended together before the break up. James held the door open for you and two other people who came in after you.
“Six months…” James said once he caught back up to you.
“Hardest six months of my life.” James said once you did not answer.
You looked down at you feet and decided to say what you had been thinking, “I missed you.”
You glanced up at James. At first lance he seemed to have not heard you. You then saw the tightness in his jaw. You decided to let the conversation drop.
“What do you want to order?” You asked.
James looked grateful for the out, “I’ll take care of it. You can go get us a table.”
You bit the inside of your lip nervously, “Do you… know what I want?”
He nodded. Sensing the end of the conversation you walked away to find a table. A minute or two later James was coming back with two medium size cups in his hands. One marked with your name and the other with his own.
“Venti Caramel Macchiato. No whip.”
James set the cup down in front of you and took the seat across from you.
“Thank you. Black coffee for you?” You asked him.
James shook his head. You pulled your eyebrows together. He laughed a little.
“No. Some beautiful woman a few months back told me that I should try something with a little more flavor. So I did. NEVER going back.”
You laughed.
“Venti Caramel Macchiato?” You asked.
He nodded while taking a sip, “God bless Starbucks.”
The conversation receded, leaving room for awkward silence. Quietly you you sipped your drink, well aware of how guilty you were feeling.
“I know it ain’t easy. Givin’ up your heart.”
Was that really it though? You were just afraid to give up your heart? It seemed like too easy of a reason. Saying you just weren’t ready made you look innocent, but you knew the truth. You were bored. You looked up at him as if he could hear you admitting that in your head.
Unfortunately, it was true. All of your friends would go out and do couple like things and you would stay home. Pretty soon you got tired of being married to a ghost and you left. and You regretted it every day after.
“I…” You both started to talk at the same time then laughed uncomfortably.
“You first.” he said.
You swallowed a lump that had formed in your throat.
“I’m sorry.” You stated.
James averted his eyes and rested his gaze out the window. Discouraged, but feeling the window of opportunity closing quickly, you continued.
“For leaving like that. A note on the counter. It was… awful. In no way did it show respect for the fact we were married.” You paused, hoping he would respond or at least change facial expressions.
James looked back at you after a moment.
“You expect me to believe you’re sorry? When you… you just remorselessly started dating less than a year after the split?
You suddenly felt defensive.
“Like YOU haven’t seen someone!”
James’s face went red.
“I haven’t!” realizing his volume he quieted and leaned across the table closer to you so you could hear, “Not even once.”
You heart broke. Suddenly all of your fight was gone.
“I dare you to let me be your one and only.”
James spoke again sounding surprisingly defeated.
“(Y/N), I don’t think you need to explain to me why you left.”
His comment hit you hard. You began thinking of all the things you had wanted to tell him. “I love you.” “I promise I won’t leave again.” All of those things were things you wanted to hear from him. Those words were all promises to yourself. Your whole life you had controlled people and never let them get too close to you. Had that been the problem? had James broken your walls and caused you to run? You felt tears building up and starting to flow over your cheeks.
“Can you, (Y/Nick/N)?”
James reached forward and put his hands over yours that gripped your cup.
“That’s the question. Can you?”
“I know it ain’t easy. Givin’ up your heart. Nobody’s perfect. Trust me I’ve learned it.”
You closed your eyes and took a deep breath. When you opened your eyes James was still looking tenderly at you.
“You’ll never know if you if you never try to forgive your past and simply be mine.”
“I can, James.”
James’s face relaxed. He smiled lightly and let go of your hands. He stood up and came to the side of you; kneeling. He moved his hand to his pocket and pulled out your engagement ring you had left with the note that night. Your heart began beating fast again.
You smiled and wiped the old tears from your face. James cleared his throat.
“(Y/N), the day you left I put this ring in my pocket and continued carrying it every day in hopes you would come back.”
All of the workers and a few of the customers in the coffee shop had now caught on and were all watching; excited.
“I know this will not be easy with me traveling, but I will do ANYTHING to insure that you are not feeling alone. It doesn’t matter to me if that means I have to take you on every road trip I take, or even if that means I have to quit the NHL for good. I love you, (Y/F/N), (Y/M/N), (Y/L/N), and I want to do anything to get you back in my life again. So I will ask, will you marry me? Again?”
He laughed a little at the end. You were too overwhelmed to speak. You nodded your head quickly and allowed him to slip on the ring. He stood up and pulled you into his arms while everyone in the shop clapped and whistled.
“Forever this time?” He asked quietly.
“Yes, forever.” You answered.
-Ashley
