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9.

Adam had decided to drive to Connie's, after seeing that the way to her place using the subway would take him almost an hour. Adam braved the roads, but realized it wasn't that bad and his directions weren't too confusing. There were several mix-ups along the way, but as he parked his car several houses down from Connie's, it was all in all a smooth ride. Jessica had called two times in the half an hour that it took for him to get there, but he had ignored them to pay attention to the roads. He checked the two messages before getting to Connie's.

"Hi, Adam. It's Jessica. Listen, I know you have plans today with your Duck friend, but that's cool, cos I'm going to go to this Halloween party and it's going to be a lot of fun. But yeah, um I'll call you later I guess you're busy. Or call me when you get this. Talk to you later!"

He erased the message, as well as the other one that was pretty much the same from Jessica and elected to call her back later. He went up to Connie's apartment, and saw that there were a couple of doorbells, and rang her doorbell, which was clearly marked with a label. There were several doorbells, indicating that it was a small building with six apartments. A minute or so later, Connie's face appeared at the doorway.

"Oh my god, Adam!" she said, opening the door, with a big smile on her face. He stepped in right into a hug; a proper hug it seemed compared to last night's odd meeting. He lifted her up a little and they each gave each other a kiss on the cheek. "What are you doing here? I thought we'd be meeting up later. " She motioned for him to follow her to her apartment, which was up a flight of stairs.

"Just wanted to check up on you, you seem pretty down last night, " he said, as they went up the stairs. "I mean, if I'm interrupting something or if you had plans before we were to hang out-"

"Nonsense, Adam, " she said, turning around and smiling. "Always time for you."

They got into her apartment. Connie offered to take his coat, and he obliged. She tucked it into the small closet by her door. "It's not much, but it's my home now. '

Adam looked around. Connie's apartment was smaller than his, but cozier and had a sense of being lived-in. To his immediate left, there was her kitchen, which was enclosed. There was a cutout in the wall that was wide enough to serve as a substantial counter, that opened into the living room. He pictured Connie leaning out of it, calling to her guests if they wanted more drinks.

The living room was immediately in front of him, and was pretty spacious. Two large windows took up one wall, one of which led to the fire escape. There was a cream colored couch with a number of miss-matched pillows and a couple of throws strewn upon it, a green armchair with another patchwork pillow, a brown coffee table, and a wall unit that held a decent sized television, DVD player, framed pictures, a small stereo and a collection of DVDs. Taking up room right next to the unit was a wide bookcase, that was at least ten shelves tall almost reaching the ceiling. It was stocked with many books, small mass markets to larger art books stacked on the bottom shelves. He saw that there was a small corridor that he assumed led to her bedroom and bathroom. The living room itself was painted a soft coral and there were several art prints framed, including a vintage painting of the original cover of The Great Gatsby.

"You really love that book, huh?" he said, pointing to the print. She nodded, smiling, slightly bashful. They sat down on the couch.

"So, " Connie began, "I'm feeling a bit anti-social, so I was wondering if it was all right with you that we just hang out around here? In Astoria? There are a couple of great places around here that I show you. I just need a break from Manhattan. "

"That sounds great, " he said ' Actually, I was hoping for somewhat a quiet day. I don't think I've had one since I've moved here…what with moving and um, Jessica…she likes to go out. "

"Yeah, she seems like the type, " Connie said. " I mean, there's nothing wrong with that type, I like going out a lot actually…"

"Nah," he said, patting her knee. She placed her hand on top of his, squeezing it slightly. His heart skipped a beat. " I know what you mean. She's definitely a character. I uh, like her a lot, um, though. "

"Good, good!" she said. " Oh, Adam…it's just so good to see you! Now tell me how you've been since you've gotten here! You guys met at work, right? How did that happen? Where are you working, by the way…?"

Adam smiled, and they slipped into their casual conversation easily. It was just like it had been last time, so easy, so comfortable. He talked about moving in, and how much he liked his neighborhood and also how he met Jessica.

"It was weird, I have to say…all of sudden we were just hanging out. I guess it was just easy, since I don't know anyone here…I mean, aside from you. She's a very sweet girl…a bit too much sometimes, but…"

"Ah, she's pretty, " Connie said. "I know you like blondes." She nudged him playfully, he smiled. They leaned shoulder-to-shoulder and continued to talk.

"Anyway, how are you doing? Oh, and what's the name of that guy from last night…I need to find him, defend your glory like a good Duck would. " They both laughed.

"You know, " she started, "He actually called me…" Adam's insides fell. "His roommate got into an accident, and he had to go down to the hospital to see her. So yeah…I kind of forgave him and we rescheduled this week, for Halloween. Do you and Jessica have plans? You guys should join us, there's this party. "

"Um, sure, " Adam said. So, she is going to see this guy…he thought.

"It'll be fun, we can dress up, " she said. He gave her the most convincing smile he could.


After talking for several more hours in the living room and spending one hour on the fire escape while Connie smoked, they decided to go grab dinner at a tapas place nearby. They walked the couple blocks with their arms hooked together, as Connie enjoyed doing.

"So, Charlie's due into the city sometime soon, I think, " Adam said. "Have you seen him play when he's in town?"

"Yeah, I have actually, "Connie said. They were in the restaurant, a small place that wasn't busy at all. "He hooks me up with the box seats, which is pretty sweet. It makes me feel more important than I really am. Fulton and Guy so the same when they're in town. It's nice. "

"Connie, you are so important, " he said.

"You know what I mean, " she said. "So, I guess we'll have to be game buddies, huh? I have told Charlie though, that I've become a Rangers fan since moving here. "

"I'm sure he was thrilled when he heard that, " he said, laughing.

"You know what else?" Connie said. "Julie and Jeffrey are coming in this weekend. Yeah! I talked to her the other day, and they're going to drive in to visit. We have to all get together. "

"Oh, definitely, " Adam said. They began to talk about Julie and Jeffrey, as Adam was pretty close to her too. The conversation then spread to the rest of the Ducks, as she updated him to what the others were doing.

"And, Averman just told me that our little Kenny, won some sort of eating competition out in California! He ate like 75 chicken wings in fifteen minutes, something crazy like that, " she said. They were both eating and cracking up, exchanging their stories.

"Oh, man, " Adam said, rolling an olive on a toothpick between his fingers. "Remember Eden Hall? Doesn't it seem like ages ago?"

"Yeah, it does. Even college…man, life was so easy then…"she caught Adam's expression. His college years were hard on him, especially the ones after his injury. "..I mean for the most part. "

"I know what you mean, " he said. "Once I got back to school, just having all those people I know around- even after I moved out of the team's house. It was just nice having people around all the time. Now, being here in New York, I think I'm going to really love it, but I don't know…even with Jessica…I think it's all very lonely. "

"I always feel like that, " Connie said. Her face was in her hand, elbow propped up on the table. She took a sip of her sangria. "It's hard. You think you're going to be constantly in the city, surrounded by these awesome people, but it's not like that, at least not all the time. You meet new people, and I know, well in my case when it comes to guys, that it isn't easy…I mean maybe it's me, maybe I'm some sort of weird Midwestern freak and they sniff me out once they get into bed with me…but yeah. It's very lonely, living here. But, I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. "

Adam had listened intently to Connie the whole time. She still had her chin in her hand, and she was tracing circles onto the tablecloth, looking thoughtful. The candle lit in the middle of their table illuminated her face that made her look so beautiful, radiating her brown hair, the soft curve of her cheek. She is so beautiful, Adam thought. It was different than Jessica: so natural, so soulful.

"But anyway, " she said, perking up slightly. " I think this Kevin guy, he might have potential. " She began to talk someone excitedly about all the things they had in common and the things they disagreed on. "It's so weird, I'm such a weirdo, Adam, but I feel this connection with him, even though we've talked once on the phone, but I always look forward to his emails. Strange, huh? That you can feel this connection with someone, even though you haven't ever met them?"

"Yeah, " Adam said, disguising any disappointment in his voice. Or when you haven't seen them in ages.


After their extended dinner, they decided to buy a bottle of wine and go back to Connie's and watch some television and talk some more. Adam excused himself out onto the fire escape to return Jessica's call.

"Oh my GOD, ADAM!" she screamed from the other line, so loudly that Adam had to pull this phone away from his ear. "I am having such a great time! Me and Michelle are here at some club with some other friends. I think I might have had too many drinks. " she laughed, cackling.

"Well, I just wanted to check in, " he said. "Maybe I'll see you soon?"

"YES! Adam, I'm dressed like a nurse tonight, " she said. She dropped her voice, "Maybe I can take care of you soon…if you know what I mean."

Adam raised an eyebrow. He did like that thought. Though the night was going well, and it was really great to see Connie and talk to her like they have done before, he resolved to try to get over his thing with Connie. Maybe he was confusing his loneliness and need for the familiar face with infatuation. When he thought of Jessica, he felt both desire and adoration for the bubbly blonde. When it came to Connie…well, maybe he was still confused about the whole thing.

You're 24, why are you acting like a 14 year old again? He scolded himself in his head. But if anything, he couldn't ruin this Kevin thing that Connie had going; it sounded like she wanted it to happen. Be a good friend, he thought. Let her be happy with someone else. He ducked down to go back inside Connie's apartment, to sit with the girl he might or might not be falling for.