1New chappy! Hope you guys like it, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of your comments. You guys are so freaking awesome.

Every body's comments on the Ryan/Haley and Nathan/Haley relationships are helping me out so much to decide what to do with these two pairings. I love all of your suggestions and as much as I write the Ryan/Haley thing, I'm loving them so much, BUT... I want Nate/Hales together in the end. Cause that's just how it's got to be, right. And then I was thinking: "well, how in the world am I going to do this and not just piss the great Haley/Ryan relationship into the wind?" well, I think I figured it out. So, just bear with me for a few more chapters and hopefully it'll start getting interesting! Thank you all for your support and encouragement! Alright, I'm shutting up now!

Chapter 10

"I Am Understood?"

"So..." I laughed, hoping to ease the uncomfortable silence of the room. "How is Duke?"

"Oh, it's awesome. It really is," he laughed. "it's mainly practicing and parties, but you get used to it."

"I'm sure you do," I laughed. "And I'm sure you just hate that it's nothing but practice and parties."

He shrugged, "It's alright. Nothing spectacular. You should come watch a couple games. I could actually get you and David tickets. I mean, if you wanted to."

"If I wanted to? Oh, my gosh, that sounds awesome!" I laughed, rolling my eyes at my total nerdiness. "I mean cool. I can't wait. I'm sure David can't either, he seems so proud of you,"

"Yeah, well, he's been like my own dad, you know. He really has been something. He taught me my fade-away, 3-pointer, and jump shot."

"Oh yeah? He actually taught me all of that, too," I laughed. "But I'm sure I have the prettiest form. I mean, not to de-pride your shot or anything which is probably nice, but..."

"De-pride my shot?' You've got to be kidding."

I shrugged. "Suit yourself. I just thought... well, I'm actually surprised your backing down from this challenge."

"Backing down? I never said I wouldn't take you up on that."

"You never said you would, so I just assumed..."

"Stop assuming," he joked, laughing, "and get your cocky ass down there and show me what you got, James," he pointed towards the door.

"Cocky ass? Yeah, whatever," I rolled my eyes. I couldn't think of a comeback right then. I started towards the door. "Let's get a move on, Wright."

"I'm right behind you, James, unless..." I stopped walking and turned around, looking at him quizzically.

"Unless what?"

"Unless I should get my cup first. I mean, it just seems that you are a little rough on the court and as much as I like rough," he shook his head. "I don't know if I'm up to getting my balls hit back up into my body."

I laughed, shaking my head. "He got what he deserved!" I cried out, defending myself. I yanked open the door and walked out. I stopped and turned around, walking up to Ryan. "But if you feel like I might get a little too rough," I said in a low, provocative voice, close to his ear. I had to stand on my tiptoes just to reach his ear. "You might wanna wear protection," I bit my lip and looked up at him with lust. He was really hot. And his eyes... wow. I dropped down off my tiptoes and stepped back. "Just whatever you feel like you need to do. But hurry it up, Wright. I'm waiting," I turned around and started down the hall, going down the stairs, and out the door.

"So, you think you've got a shot? Let's see it," Ryan said, throwing me the ball. I laughed and stepped back behind the 3-point arc and let it fly. Swish.

I laughed and looked at Ryan, "nothing but net," I winked at him, got my rebound, and threw it out to him. He smiled faintly, and shot the 3. It sailed through the air and straight through the net. Swish. Perfect. I had to admit, his sounded better and had a better arch to it.

I nodded my head. "Nice Wright. Nice shot. I have to admit, I like your arch and your form." Man did I like his form. I shook my head, shaking the thoughts from inside my head.

"You like my shot?" he asked, coming closer. "So... you admit it was better than yours?"

I looked past him, laughing. "Yes. I was never egotistical about any of it."

"That's good."

"Yeah, it is."

"So, you feel like playing a game?" I asked, smiling at him.

"A game? I don't know, I gotta unpack and then I was actually going to take us all out for dinner. If that's alright with you, Miss James."

"Oh, I don't know about that Mr. Wright. I mean, I might have to go back to Charlotte and kick an ex's ass, but I guess it can wait until tomorrow."

"Yeah, it might can wait."

"So, when are we going?"

"I don't know, tonight sometime. Maybe around 6:00. I haven't had Karen's Café food in forever and I'm craving some right here," he rubbed his stomach. "Your going to love it there."

"Well, it's 4:30 right now, I'm gonna run up and take a shower then get ready. So, I guess we'll have to play that game some other time."

"Don't use all the hot water."

"You know, you could come up and take one with me if you wanted to," I laughed, making it a joke.

He nodded, smiling. "As tempting as that sounds, I'm going to have to pass."

"Are you sure?"

"Not really."

"Not really? What kind of answer is that? Your not really sure if you want to take a bath with me or not?" I laughed. "How can you answer as direct a question as that with a sort-of answer like 'not really?"

"I used correct English did I not?" He joked, referring to my encounter with David earlier. I laughed and rolled my eyes.

"Not really."

"Are we still talking about my answer to your very direct question?"

"No, I was talking about your statement 'not really.' It would pass for grammar, but it's not correct English."

"What is correct English?"

"I don't know... big words," I laughed. "Like... well, I don't know, big words, you know!"

"Yeah, whatever," he laughed. "I'm gonna pass. How is that?"

"Better English, worse answer."

"Worse than 'not really?" I nodded my head. "So what would have been the best answer using the best English?" he asked curiously.

"Yes."