"So, where are we going?" Adam asked sliding into Portman's Durango.
"Fulton and I planned on going to dinner then a club, so we're meeting him at the restaurant." Portman explained driving out onto the busy street.
"So, how's life been?" Adam asked.
"Hella good. I got my man, my job, and my money, nothing could be better than that." Portman laughed.
"Sounds pretty damn good. You all are so lucky, I mean, getting a real job." Adam said dreamily.
"A real job, Banks? You did pretty damn good yourself, NHL contract at eighteen? All us Ducks wished we were you." Portman said getting on the entrance to the highway.
"And here I was wishing I was all of you. I wanted to go to college, I just didn't know if this would be my only opportunity for the NHL. I'm doing great with everything, I guess, just not my love life." Adam laughed lightly with Portman.
"So, where's this restaurant?" Adam asked breaking the comfortable silence almost twenty minutes later.
"Right off this exit." Portman turned the car onto the exit ramp and slowed to a stop at the stop light.
_---------_
'Why did I even come?' Charlie thought, pulling at the collar of his shirt. 'They should've just let me stay at home and watched TV. I'm not in the mood for this.'
He closed his eyes and brought his water glass to his lips, letting the cool liquid coat his tongue. When he lifted his lids again, he was shocked. A face he'd only seen on the covers of magazines and on ESPN, for years. In the entrance to the restaurant standing at Portman's right hand side, stood Adam Banks. His hands were stuffed in his pockets and he was looking from table to table for Fulton. Then his eyes laid on Charlie and the look on his face seemed to match the feeling Charlie was having.
Adam turned and crashed right into Portman's chest as the larger Bash Brother directed him to turn around and go into the dinning area. The closer they got, the tighter Charlie's chest started to seem, like all the air was being squeezed from his lungs.
_--------_
"I can't do this." He whispered fiercely to Fulton, leaning across the table. He pushed back his chair and was about to get up, but Fult grabbed his arm.
"No, Charlie." Fulton told him.
"You tricked me." Banks accused, giving Portman a sideways glance as the walked toward the other two men.
"We did," Dean nodded. "But it had to be done."
Adam sat down rigidly in the seat between Fulton and Charlie. His hands shaking as he unfolded his napkin and spread it on his lap. He couldn't even lift his eyes to look at the clear eyed boy across from him. The one that had held his heart all those years ago. That had been a different time, they were different people. Just silly high school boys, in puppy love. But then why couldn't he stop that stupid quiver in his stomach at the sight of Charlie Conway.
He sipped his water, feeling the cold sensation soothe his suddenly burning throat. When he spoke his voice came out scratchy and dry, as if he didn't take a sip at all. "Fulton, long time, no talk, man." He turned his head to the side and coughed what he could, clearing his throat a bit. "How's life been treating you?" His voice was almost normal, but still shook with his nervousness.
"Been good. I'm working on my charity foundation, Hope-for children who need better childhoods. Hope meaning Hockey Offers Perfect Escape. Um… we're doing really good so far, we've got about seventeen hundred dollars donated so far, and with what we get we're going to make an ice rink in a few areas that don't have any and open some hockey shops for the less fortunate people of Minnesota." Fulton explained.
"Wow." Adam laughed. "Seems like you'll do anything you can for these kids." Adam said.
"I don't want them to have to wait for someone like I did." Fulton explained.
"I'd love to donate some money; it's a really great cause, Fult." Adam said.
"I'll talk to you about it all later then." Fulton said and turned to talk to Portman.
"Charlie." Adam choked. Charlie's eyes slowly rose upward to meet Adam's, a shock passed between them that wouldn't let either go. Slowly, but surely, their breathing increased, sweat breaking out under their shirts. Adam's eyes shone with something undetectable to Charlie, and he had to break away, before that thing held him captive. "How have you been?" Adam asked, turning his eyes above Charlie, looking at the wall behind that man he once swore he loved.
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A.N. Thanks for all the reviews on the first chapter, Meme-Ann and I are very happy we got them. Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, I've been out of Ducky love since I posted the last, but I'm back, I think. So, we hope to have the next chapter up soon. Bye!
~*Angel*~