Nirvana
Why do the good girls always want the bad boys?
Harley and James ended up back at the bar where they started, Harley barely breaking a sweat, James full on panting, hands on his knees in the doorway, thankful for the air conditioning. She looked over her shoulder and asked him with a smirk, “You gonna live?”
“Hopefully.” Was his rather winded response, as he slowly made his way to the bar and sat down, head in his hands.
Harley grabbed two water bottles before she sat down beside him, handing him one, adjusting her pony tail before she asked, slightly smartly, “I thought hockey players were supposed have good stamina?”
“Do you know the last time I went for a run that wasn't on a machine in an air conditioned room?” James asked, breaking the seal on the water bottle and downing half of it right there, Harley couldn't help but laugh at his expense. James then told her, “I can't even answer that because I can't remember.”
“Well it gets easier. The first time I went I think I almost died twice before I even got back here.” Harley assured him, taking a drink of her own water.
“Good to know.” With that they were in silence, neither one talking, both of them cooling off from what James was sure was hell. Two hours of straight running. He had no idea how she did that three times a week in 70 degree weather, and he didn't even want to ask what she did when the temperature would begin to drop, rather soon. After what seemed like forever James finally asked, “Can I ask you a question?”
“Shoot.”
He paused, not sure how to word this, before he chickened out and asked, “What's the deal with your name? I heard a few guys made jokes about the bike company.”
Harley laughed and told him, “My dad was big into bikes and when my mom wouldn't let him get a third he decided he got to name me. Very creative, I know.”
James couldn't help but chuckle at that. After a few seconds he admitted, “That wasn't my question.”
“I figured.” Harley told him.
“You and Rich... what's the deal?” James asked, holding his breath for the answer.
Harley didn't say anything right away, and James was beginning to wonder if she was going to answer him at all, and then she did, “We dated for six months when he first got here.”
“So that's how you know the guys?” Harley shook her head at this and James waited patiently, not wanting to push his luck with his curiosity.
“I met Shea a year before I met Rich, he got turned around after a game and ended up here and so that's how I met him, and then a few days later he brought some of the guys by, and then this just became the hang out after games. That's how I met Rich. He was probably the only person that's ever asked for a water here, it left an impression.” Harley told him, not elaborating more than that, and James was fine with that. As long as he knew that she and Rich weren't together, that was all he needed to know.
“So you're from here?” James asked, making Harley almost laugh.
“Jacksonville, Florida actually.” Harley told him, and when James looked surprised she asked, “What?”
He shook his head and told her, “Nothing, that's just not what I expected. Why here?”
She shrugged, “Honestly? Ran out of gas and money, and then I just never left.”
“What was Diosa mean?” James asked her, making Harley laugh.
“What is this, twenty questions?”
He shrugged, “Might as well get to know you if you're going to drag me through hell three times a week.”
“It means Goddess. I didn't choose the name.” She didn't elaborate on who did, so he didn't ask and Harley was glad. Before he could ask her another question she chose to take her own part in this game and ask, “Where are you from?”
“Whitby, Ontario.” James told her, knowing she likely had no idea where that was. Whitby wasn't small by any means, but it was no Nashville either. He took his next turn to ask, “How tall are you?”
Harley almost laughed before she stated, “I am not classified as a midget I'd like to just clarify that in case you've been talking to Shea. He's just a giant.”
James laughed and told her, “He's only a few inches taller than me.”
Harley rolled her eyes and got up from her chair, making her way around the bar to start her count early, she stuck her head up from behind the bar top and told him, “Hockey players, you're all fucking giants, but if you must know 5 foot 3 and a half, and yes the half inch is important.”
James let out a laugh and asked, “Isn't that average?”
“See now you're just trying not to get on my bad side. Yes it is average, only it's not average if you hang out with a bunch of guys that don't have to get stools to reach things on top shelves.”
James grinned, “So that's why nothing is on those top shelves then?”
Harley turned to him and narrowed her eyes, “Tip of advice, don't piss off the bartender.”
When she went to walk around to sit down beside him again she found him getting up, by the time they noticed each other they were standing in front of each other, maybe an inch apart. Harley was not used to this. She looked up, watching him watching her, and she held her breath. His hand very slowly and hesitantly reached out, and pressed against her back, and she felt like her skin was on fire beneath his touch. She couldn't peel her eyes off of his, she was too busy trying to figure out what color his were, blue, green she had no idea and all her energy was put into trying to figure it out. Anything but thinking about the space between them that was slowly getting smaller and smaller. All she could smell was James. Laundry detergent, citrus and cedar.
Harley jumped back the minute someone banged on the window, and she looked over to find Rich and Pekka standing outside. Rich banged on the window once more and Harley rolled her eyes, stepping around James to unlock the door and let them in. Rich glanced between them but said nothing, instead he turned to Harley and said, “You know we could have froze out there.”
“It's 75 degrees out, I'm sure you'll live.” Harley told him before she turned to Pekka and grinned, “Where the hell have you been lately?”
He leaned down and wrapped her in a hug and said, “Around, you know me.”
James had to remind himself that she knew them all before he even met her, but it did nothing for the jealousy that rippled through him. Harley turned to him and mouthed 'I'm sorry', and he nodded and sat back down as Rich and Pekka took the seats on either side of him, Pekka was now between him and Harley. Rich leaned over to look at Harley, stirring the pot he asked, “So you talked the Shea the other day huh?”
She raised an eyebrow and said, “Need I remind you I've known him longer than you.”
“Yeah but you don't wear his clothes.” Pekka told her, laughing when she turned her eyes to him and narrowed them.
“That's because he's married and that would be politically incorrect.” Harley said with a grin. When Pekka smirked she pinched his arm hard, making him jump and then rub the spot she pinched.
“I forgot how mean you are.” He muttered, making her and Rich laugh.
Rich continued his pushing and stated, “He said he ran the Calgary idea by you.”
“He did.” Was all she said back, not looking at him, but rather at her finger nails as she picked at the blue nail polish.
“And?” Rich asked curiously, Shea had told him her answer, but he wanted to see if he could try and convince her otherwise.
“And the answer is still no. Only crazy people get on a flight and spend their birthday in Canada, and contrary to popular belief I am not crazy.” Harley told him, sending him a pointed look that Rich and Pekka both chose to ignore.
“Come on, you only turn 29 once, or I guess twice in your case, Shea and I both agree on that one.” Pekka told her, making Harley slam her head against the bar top and groan.
“Will you all please quit reminding me that I'm old?” She muttered before leaning back in her chair and turning her glare to Rich as he laughed.
He held his hands up in surrender mode and stated, “Well I mean...you're the one that said it.”
“I will beat you up. I've proved I can before.”
“Newsflash, I've got 7 inches and like 100 pounds on you, I let you win.” Rich told her, reminding her of their many wrestling matches that resulted in her pinning him.
“Well then I'll sick Weber on you, you know he'll do anything I ask him to.” Harley stated with a grin that told him she was rather proud of that fact.
Rich smirked at her, “That's because no one in their right mind could say no to you.”
“Well duh... I mean have you not seen my cute and innocent face?” Harley deadpanned, making Rich, James and Pekka burst into laughter.
“Innocent? You? Alright let's not get ahead of ourselves now.” Rich told her with a pointed look that made her feel rather uncomfortable. She got up and made her way into the back to try and hide the flush that was creeping up on her cheeks, making the excuse of needed to restock beer. It was good enough.
While she was stacking the boxes she took a minute to take a few deep breaths in and out, she really needed to stop spending time with anyone that wore a Predators jersey. She picked up the boxes and made her way back into the bar, to find Pekka standing behind the bar holding her iPod, James and Rich sitting rather uncomfortably beside each other. Harley briefly wondered how she got herself into this mess.
“Do you listen to anything other 80's rock?” Pekka asked her seriously, scrolling through more of her music.
“Yes... there's a lot of 90's stuff on there too.” Harley told him, ignoring him as he unplugged hers and plugged his phone in to play something a little more modern.
“Yeah, I found her secret Sublime stash months ago. Don't ever question her and music, it's a bad idea.” Rich warned, making Pekka laugh.
“Sublime? Really?” James asked her, eyebrow cocked, and Harley was sure every one of them saw her blush.
She turned and began transferring beer bottles into the beer coolers, hoping the cold would help. Pekka watched her, but said nothing about her current mood, instead he told her, “You're coming to the game tomorrow.”
She turned her head over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow, “Sorry boys, you're gonna have to deal with your good luck charm cheering from here.”
“Will you at least wear my jersey?” Pekka asked with a smile that made her want to throw the bottle in her hand at him.
“We'll see.”
“Hopefully.” Was his rather winded response, as he slowly made his way to the bar and sat down, head in his hands.
Harley grabbed two water bottles before she sat down beside him, handing him one, adjusting her pony tail before she asked, slightly smartly, “I thought hockey players were supposed have good stamina?”
“Do you know the last time I went for a run that wasn't on a machine in an air conditioned room?” James asked, breaking the seal on the water bottle and downing half of it right there, Harley couldn't help but laugh at his expense. James then told her, “I can't even answer that because I can't remember.”
“Well it gets easier. The first time I went I think I almost died twice before I even got back here.” Harley assured him, taking a drink of her own water.
“Good to know.” With that they were in silence, neither one talking, both of them cooling off from what James was sure was hell. Two hours of straight running. He had no idea how she did that three times a week in 70 degree weather, and he didn't even want to ask what she did when the temperature would begin to drop, rather soon. After what seemed like forever James finally asked, “Can I ask you a question?”
“Shoot.”
He paused, not sure how to word this, before he chickened out and asked, “What's the deal with your name? I heard a few guys made jokes about the bike company.”
Harley laughed and told him, “My dad was big into bikes and when my mom wouldn't let him get a third he decided he got to name me. Very creative, I know.”
James couldn't help but chuckle at that. After a few seconds he admitted, “That wasn't my question.”
“I figured.” Harley told him.
“You and Rich... what's the deal?” James asked, holding his breath for the answer.
Harley didn't say anything right away, and James was beginning to wonder if she was going to answer him at all, and then she did, “We dated for six months when he first got here.”
“So that's how you know the guys?” Harley shook her head at this and James waited patiently, not wanting to push his luck with his curiosity.
“I met Shea a year before I met Rich, he got turned around after a game and ended up here and so that's how I met him, and then a few days later he brought some of the guys by, and then this just became the hang out after games. That's how I met Rich. He was probably the only person that's ever asked for a water here, it left an impression.” Harley told him, not elaborating more than that, and James was fine with that. As long as he knew that she and Rich weren't together, that was all he needed to know.
“So you're from here?” James asked, making Harley almost laugh.
“Jacksonville, Florida actually.” Harley told him, and when James looked surprised she asked, “What?”
He shook his head and told her, “Nothing, that's just not what I expected. Why here?”
She shrugged, “Honestly? Ran out of gas and money, and then I just never left.”
“What was Diosa mean?” James asked her, making Harley laugh.
“What is this, twenty questions?”
He shrugged, “Might as well get to know you if you're going to drag me through hell three times a week.”
“It means Goddess. I didn't choose the name.” She didn't elaborate on who did, so he didn't ask and Harley was glad. Before he could ask her another question she chose to take her own part in this game and ask, “Where are you from?”
“Whitby, Ontario.” James told her, knowing she likely had no idea where that was. Whitby wasn't small by any means, but it was no Nashville either. He took his next turn to ask, “How tall are you?”
Harley almost laughed before she stated, “I am not classified as a midget I'd like to just clarify that in case you've been talking to Shea. He's just a giant.”
James laughed and told her, “He's only a few inches taller than me.”
Harley rolled her eyes and got up from her chair, making her way around the bar to start her count early, she stuck her head up from behind the bar top and told him, “Hockey players, you're all fucking giants, but if you must know 5 foot 3 and a half, and yes the half inch is important.”
James let out a laugh and asked, “Isn't that average?”
“See now you're just trying not to get on my bad side. Yes it is average, only it's not average if you hang out with a bunch of guys that don't have to get stools to reach things on top shelves.”
James grinned, “So that's why nothing is on those top shelves then?”
Harley turned to him and narrowed her eyes, “Tip of advice, don't piss off the bartender.”
When she went to walk around to sit down beside him again she found him getting up, by the time they noticed each other they were standing in front of each other, maybe an inch apart. Harley was not used to this. She looked up, watching him watching her, and she held her breath. His hand very slowly and hesitantly reached out, and pressed against her back, and she felt like her skin was on fire beneath his touch. She couldn't peel her eyes off of his, she was too busy trying to figure out what color his were, blue, green she had no idea and all her energy was put into trying to figure it out. Anything but thinking about the space between them that was slowly getting smaller and smaller. All she could smell was James. Laundry detergent, citrus and cedar.
Harley jumped back the minute someone banged on the window, and she looked over to find Rich and Pekka standing outside. Rich banged on the window once more and Harley rolled her eyes, stepping around James to unlock the door and let them in. Rich glanced between them but said nothing, instead he turned to Harley and said, “You know we could have froze out there.”
“It's 75 degrees out, I'm sure you'll live.” Harley told him before she turned to Pekka and grinned, “Where the hell have you been lately?”
He leaned down and wrapped her in a hug and said, “Around, you know me.”
James had to remind himself that she knew them all before he even met her, but it did nothing for the jealousy that rippled through him. Harley turned to him and mouthed 'I'm sorry', and he nodded and sat back down as Rich and Pekka took the seats on either side of him, Pekka was now between him and Harley. Rich leaned over to look at Harley, stirring the pot he asked, “So you talked the Shea the other day huh?”
She raised an eyebrow and said, “Need I remind you I've known him longer than you.”
“Yeah but you don't wear his clothes.” Pekka told her, laughing when she turned her eyes to him and narrowed them.
“That's because he's married and that would be politically incorrect.” Harley said with a grin. When Pekka smirked she pinched his arm hard, making him jump and then rub the spot she pinched.
“I forgot how mean you are.” He muttered, making her and Rich laugh.
Rich continued his pushing and stated, “He said he ran the Calgary idea by you.”
“He did.” Was all she said back, not looking at him, but rather at her finger nails as she picked at the blue nail polish.
“And?” Rich asked curiously, Shea had told him her answer, but he wanted to see if he could try and convince her otherwise.
“And the answer is still no. Only crazy people get on a flight and spend their birthday in Canada, and contrary to popular belief I am not crazy.” Harley told him, sending him a pointed look that Rich and Pekka both chose to ignore.
“Come on, you only turn 29 once, or I guess twice in your case, Shea and I both agree on that one.” Pekka told her, making Harley slam her head against the bar top and groan.
“Will you all please quit reminding me that I'm old?” She muttered before leaning back in her chair and turning her glare to Rich as he laughed.
He held his hands up in surrender mode and stated, “Well I mean...you're the one that said it.”
“I will beat you up. I've proved I can before.”
“Newsflash, I've got 7 inches and like 100 pounds on you, I let you win.” Rich told her, reminding her of their many wrestling matches that resulted in her pinning him.
“Well then I'll sick Weber on you, you know he'll do anything I ask him to.” Harley stated with a grin that told him she was rather proud of that fact.
Rich smirked at her, “That's because no one in their right mind could say no to you.”
“Well duh... I mean have you not seen my cute and innocent face?” Harley deadpanned, making Rich, James and Pekka burst into laughter.
“Innocent? You? Alright let's not get ahead of ourselves now.” Rich told her with a pointed look that made her feel rather uncomfortable. She got up and made her way into the back to try and hide the flush that was creeping up on her cheeks, making the excuse of needed to restock beer. It was good enough.
While she was stacking the boxes she took a minute to take a few deep breaths in and out, she really needed to stop spending time with anyone that wore a Predators jersey. She picked up the boxes and made her way back into the bar, to find Pekka standing behind the bar holding her iPod, James and Rich sitting rather uncomfortably beside each other. Harley briefly wondered how she got herself into this mess.
“Do you listen to anything other 80's rock?” Pekka asked her seriously, scrolling through more of her music.
“Yes... there's a lot of 90's stuff on there too.” Harley told him, ignoring him as he unplugged hers and plugged his phone in to play something a little more modern.
“Yeah, I found her secret Sublime stash months ago. Don't ever question her and music, it's a bad idea.” Rich warned, making Pekka laugh.
“Sublime? Really?” James asked her, eyebrow cocked, and Harley was sure every one of them saw her blush.
She turned and began transferring beer bottles into the beer coolers, hoping the cold would help. Pekka watched her, but said nothing about her current mood, instead he told her, “You're coming to the game tomorrow.”
She turned her head over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow, “Sorry boys, you're gonna have to deal with your good luck charm cheering from here.”
“Will you at least wear my jersey?” Pekka asked with a smile that made her want to throw the bottle in her hand at him.
“We'll see.”
♠ ♠ ♠
And so 1/2 of the Harley and Rich secret is spilledDon't worry though, we're getting very close to the goof stuff.
And by that I mean Harley and James stuff.
Thoughts and comments would be very much appreciated (and probably help the moving along of the story ;) so yenno...drop a line or two if ya feel like it)