I'm amazed by all the positive feedback this story has recieved! I know I said it'd be a two-parter, but there's actually one more part after this because it's going to be a time jump/epilogue.
This isn't my best writing but I had to push myself to get through this. The idea was so much better in my head and this part was really hard to put into words. Anyway, hope you like it! Let me know what you think :) Thanks again!
. . . .
Nathan let out a deep sigh as he fell back onto the hotel bed, completely drained from the night's game against the Dallas Mavericks. He hated away games. Partly because of the long travel and being away from home— but on a deeper level he knew it was because every time he glanced at the press box, she wasn't there.
Haley James, Charlotte 5 news; the subject of his every thought.
They had grown quite close over the past few months. She was at every home game, and whether or not she conducted an interview, she'd always have an article published the following day about the Hornet's stats.
At that thought, Nathan reached for the television remote and flipped through the channels. It was a long shot, since he was in Texas, he doubted they'd have Charlotte 5 News. Luckily, he was able to purchase the channel for a small fee. He'd do anything to see her.
He sat up immediately when her image filled the screen. God, she was beautiful, he thought.
Haley was giving a sports briefing at the station, and Nathan watched enraptured as she covered the brief highlights of the game. Even though she wasn't in attendance, he knew she was watching the game at work so she could discuss it with her co-workers for the evening news.
A dopey smile spread over his lips when she began arguing about a specific play. It was obvious the ref screwed up a call, working in favor of the Mavericks, and Haley was pissed about it.
"Dude, just ask her out already," Tony walked into the suite, having just come out of the shower.
Nathan reluctantly looked away from the screen and scowled, "I can't."
"Why not?"
"It's not like that."
Tony rolled his eyes, "Bullshit, man. That girl is so gone on you it's like she forgets there are other players on the team. And don't even get me started on the way you look at her. I mean, come on, Nate, you're spending our free night in a hotel room to watch her live report."
Nathan fell back on the bed, groaning. "Alright, fine, so I'm into her? She's great. She's smart, talented, funny, beautiful—,"
"I get it," Tony chuckled at the way Nathan's cheeks flushed pink, "I just don't understand why you won't ask her out."
"I don't know, honestly." Nathan replied. Had he thought about it? Only like a million times, but he just couldn't work up the nerve to ask her out. He valued their playful banter. She'd interview him and he'd crack some corny jokes, and that was it. Sometimes they'd talk before or after the game, sans cameras and microphones. They just got each other. They connected. He knew there was sexual attraction, that much was sure. They'd flirt here and there, but never dared to cross any lines. He really didn't know why, except for maybe fear. Fear of rejection.
"Well, at least consider it. You know a perfect girl like that won't stay single forever," Tony offhandedly commented.
Nathan blew out a hard breath, and decided, in that moment, he'd take the plunge next time he saw her. Tony was right. Haley was perfect for him and he'd never live with himself if he missed out on what could be the greatest opportunity of his life.
. . . . .
Nathan's nerves were on fire. The game hadn't even started yet and his skin felt like damp leather glued tightly to his skin. He paced the gym floor trying to focus on anything other than the fact he was playing his long time rival, Damien West.
Their bad blood originated back in high school and only got worse since both getting drafted to the NBA the same year.
The guy was a punk as far as Nathan was concerned. He didn't play fair. He was arrogant. And he was currently being interviewed by Haley James.
Nathan wanted to punch him square in the jaw. He watched closely as Damien leaned in to Haley, answering her questions.
He felt his stomach lurch when Damien put his hand on Haley's waist.
"You good, Scott?" Tony asked, eyeing his friend who looked as he was ready to explode.
"Just peachy," Nathan grit. His eyes narrowed when Damien smirked over Haley's shoulder, glaring at him. Even from across the court he could sense Haley's discomfort and he knew he had to do something.
Just as Nathan began to approach them, he heard Damien's crude suggestion, asking if she'd help him celebrate tonight. Haley recoiled noticeably, and took a step further away from Damien. His fingers curled into a tight fist, ready to pummel the prick to pieces.
"No need, West," Nathan interjected gruffly, "you won't be celebrating anything tonight when we crush you."
Haley turned with a grateful smile lit over her lips when she heard Nathan, and was thankful he came when he did; Damien was starting to really creep her out.
Damien scoffed, "I don't think so, Scott. I'm winning this game and Holly will be coming home with me tonight, won't you sexy?"
Before Haley had a chance to respond, Nathan stepped protectively in front of her, clenching his fists tighter. "First of all, her name is Haley. Secondly, get your filthy hand off of her waist before I kick your ass."
Damien smirked challengingly, "Cute, Scott. Looks like somebody's got a little crush."
Nathan's nostrils flared, "Just go before you regret it."
Damien chuckled, seemingly unfazed, and rolled his eyes. "I'm not afraid of you, asshole."
Nathan took a step closer but was restricted when Haley grabbed hold of his forearm. "You should be."
"Nathan, he's not worth it," he heard her whisper.
"Yeah, Nathan, I'm not worth it," Damien taunted with a menacing scowl. He then leaned close to Haley's ear and whispered, "I can't wait to see what's under that skirt," before slapping his hand over her ass.
Nathan felt something inside of him snap and lunged at Damien, grabbing hold of his jersey. He couldn't care less if he was banned from the game; all he wanted was to shred Damien to pieces. No one gets away with harassing Haley.
"I swear to God, you touch her one more time and you won't ever see the light of day again. Got it, West?"
Nathan warned as he wadded Damien's jersey against his fist, pushing him up against the bleachers, but let him go when other players started to gather around.
Damien jerked backwards, regaining balance, and pretended to dust off his jersey. His green eyes cut into horizontal slits, "you're gonna regret ever touching me, Scott," he growled lowly and walked back to his team, leaving Haley and Nathan alone.
"You okay?" Nathan asked, with concern laced through his voice.
She smiled softly, "Yeah, I'm good. Thank you. He's a real-"
"Jerk? Asshole? Dick?"
"I was going to say creep, but those work too," she giggled, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. And just like that all his anger disintegrated into thin air.
"Sorry he did that to you."
Haley shrugged, "it's okay. I'm glad you were here," she confessed with a soft blush dusting her cheeks.
Nathan smiled, "I'm glad you're here, too. I miss you when I'm at away games."
Her cheeks flushed even redder, "I miss you, too."
"Really?" Nathan didn't mean to sound like a four-year-old boy asking if he could actually eat dessert before dinner but that's the way his voice squeaked. "I mean, I just thought-"
"Really," Haley gushed. They've been talking for quite a few months, and while it was always flirtatious, it was never anything as serious as this.
Nathan shuffled his feet and smiled when Haley's soft gaze met his bashfully, "so, um, I've been meaning to ask you something?"
"Yes?"
"Do you want to have dinner with me after the game?"
Haley's lips stretched wide, but glanced at the floor so he wouldn't see her blush, "Well, I would love to, but you see, I have to keep Damien's bed warm for him-"
Nathan's heart sank for a mere second but started racing again when he realized she was teasing after she started to giggle.
"I'm kidding," she grinned, "I would love to have dinner with you, 23."
He pumped his fist in victory, "Sweet! It's a date, Haley James, Charlotte 5 News."
She playfully swat him on his bicep, "You know you don't have to say that every time."
"But I like it," he smirked.
Haley laughed and wanted to puke at how girly it sounded. She was 23 years old and acted like a 13 year old around him. "What took you so long?"
"For what?"
"To ask me out," she grinned at his nervous smile.
"Uh, I wasn't sure you liked me," he mumbled lowly. "And I was nervous."
"Aw, big bad NBA star was nervous," she teased, "but just so you know, I do like you. A lot."
"I like you a lot, too," he confessed, "I can't stop thinking about you, Hales. I've been wanting to ask you out forever but just couldn't muster enough confidence."
"So why tonight?" She asked.
"The guys kept ribbing me about it. And then I saw you talking to Damien and I was scared you'd be into him."
Haley scrunched her nose, "into Damien? Dude, never."
Nathan chuckled, "good. But hey listen, I should get back before my coach flips out. Wait for me here after the game?"
"Always," she winked, "good luck, 23!"
"Thanks," he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on her cheek. "See you later."
She watched Nathan run back to his team, already feeling herself get blissed out, completely unaware of Damien's lingering glare from across the court.
. . .
Haley was running out of things to chew on. Her nails were already bitten to their core. Between watching the close game and eagerly anticipating her date with Nathan, she was unbelievable nervous.
"Go twenty-three!" She cheered, ignoring the snide smirk from Gary. She knew she should be taking notes for her article but she simply couldn't look away from what was happening before her.
The game was tied 86-86, with less than two minutes to go. Nathan had just stolen the ball from Damien and was making a fast-break to the basket. It looked as if he were about to go for the lay-up when suddenly, Damien ran full speed ahead, ramming right into Nathan's back, causing him to tumble onto the hardwood court falling smack down on his left knee. The crack echoed through the entire stadium as everything else fell silent.
Haley jumped up from her seat and gasped in shock. Nathan didn't move from the ground, but rather, cradled his knee in fierce pain.
"That can't be good," she heard Gary mumble.
Everything after that was a mere blur. The game paused when the Hornet's doctor ran onto court to help Nathan up; he clearly couldn't walk, and had to be supported as they walked him off court so he could be taken to get looked at.
Damien was benched, or at least that's what Haley heard- she was too busy trying to find her way to Nathan. She hastily gathered her stuff, mumbled a quick explanation to Gary, and got up from the press seating.
"Where do you think you're going little miss?" A large, burly security guard stopped Haley from entering the locker room where Nathan was just carried off to.
"Oh, uh-" Haley mumbled, her cheeks flushing, "I'm with Charlotte 5 News," she fumbled with her ID card, hoping it'd gain entry.
"No press allowed. Mr. Scott is seriously injured."
She sighed with frustration, "I'm not here for press- well, I am, but that's not why I want to see Nathan."
The security guy whose name tag read 'Jim', rolled his eyes. "Good try, but you still can't go back there. Why don't you wait around outside like the rest of the paparazzi and see if you can get a picture of someone else."
Haley huffed again, feeling her temperature start to boil. "I'm not paparazzi. I'm a sportscaster, but that's besides the point. Nathan is my friend and I just want to make sure he's ok-" she rambled.
Jim chuckled sardonically, "yeah, sure."
Knowing it'd be just about impossible to get past him, Haley accepted defeat with a hand through her hair and a soft groan. She'd have to wait to see Nathan.
. . .
Nearly three hours passed, the stadium had virtually cleared, and Haley had not moved - she sat with her head cradled in her hands, worried absolute sick about Nathan.
She hadn't heard anything; partly because it was her responsibility to investigate but she had called and told her boss it was impossible to get a quote. All she wanted was to make sure he was okay.
"Haley James, Charlotte 5 News?"
Haley looked up and rubbed her eyes, a player she recognized as Tony Battle - former shooting guard for Syracuse University- standing before her.
"Hi?"
"Hey," he smiled, "Nathan's been asking for you. He said he didn't want to stand you up, but he literally can't stand right now."
She bit her lip with anticipation, "is he okay?"
"Yeah he will be. He dislocated his knee and it'll take a while to rehab. He's out for the season but he's surprisingly okay with it."
Haley didn't know what to say, but simply smiled. "Can I see him?"
"Yea, come on."
She followed Tony down the corridor and into a room that said 'Medical,' wondering if maybe she might be the one needing medical attention for her racing heart.
Nathan was propped up on a bed, ice pressed to his knee, his hair all in disarray, but Haley couldn't help thinking how cute he looked.
"Hey 23. How're you feeling?"
"Better now," he grinned, opening his arms so he could pull her into a hug. "But I'm sorry we couldn't go to dinner."
She brushed her thumb over his bruised cheek and matched his grin, "it's "fine. I'm just glad you're okay. I was so worried about you."
"Did you interview West?"
"No," she grumbled, "he doesn't deserve it. His ass is benched for the rest of the season anyway."
Nathan sighed, "so is mine. It's gonna take about 6 months to fully recover."
"I'm sorry," she frowned.
He shrugged and took hold of her hand, "it's okay. That just means I have more time to spend hanging around the hot sportscaster from Charlotte 5 News."
Haley giggled, "is that so?"
"Yep."
"I like the sound of that," she whispered breathlessly.
"So do you need a quote from me or something?"
She shook her head, "No, I'm not here for that. I'm here as a friend to make sure you're alright."
"Friend?" Nathan scrunched his nose with disgust, "Did you just friend-zone me?"
Haley laughed, "no, I didn't mean it like that. To be honest though I don't know what we are."
Nathan gently squeezed her hand, "I'd like it if you were my girlfriend."
"You sure about that, Scott?" Haley teased, "I mean, we haven't even went on a proper date yet, you might change your -"
Before she could finish talking, Nathan pulled her down for a kiss. Her eyes shut on instinct the second his lips brushed softly against hers.
"You know, you kind of talk a lot Haley James."
Haley pulled away, reopening her eyes and smiling, "I kinda have to. It's part of my job."
Nathan chuckled, "Well you're not working now are you?"
"Well no but-"
He silenced her again with another kiss.
"And we're off the record?" Nathan mumbled against her lips, feeling her nod. "'Cause I gotta tell you, you've got one serious ass."
"Nathan!" She admonished, hiding her rosy cheeks against his chest.
A husky laugh tore from between his lips, "What can I say? I guess I'm just another slimeball athlete, huh?"
She gave him a cheeky, sarcastic smile, "and I'm a brainless, bimbo reporter who knows nothing about basketball."
Nathan laughed again, "that's true. I heard you tried to sneak back here with a press-pass just to get in my pants," he joked.
"Watch it, 23." Haley playfully glared and poked her finger into his taut chest. She then leaned up and pulled him in for another long kiss, both glad they proved each other wrong.