Shoot your shot

Emma

" Mum? Harry?" I called out into the house.

James stood behind me in the hallway and was glancing at some awfully embarrassing family photos. 

" You ok darling? I'm in the kitchen!" My mum called out. I motioned James to follow me to the kitchen where my mum was sitting at the breakfast bar drinking a coffee , her glasses on the edge of her nose, slowly tapping away on an iPad like it was the first time she had ever used it. She has had the thing for years .

" Mum, this is my friend James from school."

My mum stopped tapping and looked up. She pushed her glasses further up her nose and pretty much gasped when she saw James. Not embarrassing at all.

" Is this the lovely boy who took you on a date?"

Oh great.

" No mum. That was Liam. James is just a friend. I tutor him." I felt James stiffen beside me. Maybe he didn't like the fact I told my mum he was being tutored by me.

" James also plays semi pro football. He's offered for me and Harry to come watch him on Sunday. Is Harry home?"

" Yeah, he's upstairs. I'll call him down for you"

She kept staring at James and I coughed reminding her she was going to get Harry to come downstairs . She snapped out of her daze and jumped up .

As my mum was out of the room I looked at James who was curiously looking around my home. I couldn't help but admire how good looking he was. His blue eyes shining bright in my brightly lit kitchen. Why was he here really? I couldn't help the feeling in the pit of my stomach that I was being used in some way but I couldn' t figure out what James wanted.

He looked at me and smirked, obviously catching me staring and assuming I was admiring him. I mean, I was , but also assessing. We had a small stare down in silence which was broken when my mum and Harry entered the kitchen.

James averted his eyes and smiled as my brother entered. I knew Harry hated meeting new people so I took the pressure off the situation quickly .

" Harry, this is James from my school. He plays football for Sutton. Do you fancy coming with me to watch him play Sunday? We got free admission and I can buy you a hotdog?" I asked casually as I sat down on the bar stool. I knew Harry would love the idea but I wanted to make it into no big deal.

"Really Em? We can go watch a game? What should I wear? " Harry started talking really fast and I smiled knowing he was happy.

" we will look at outfits and plan the day ok? I'll show you the pitch online and we can discuss what happens when we get there ok? " I always ran through things with Harry to curb his anxiety around new experiences.

Harry ran up to me and hugged me, it made my heart melt into a puddle. I squeezed him back and looked at James who was observing our interaction.

" We should thank James. James has also said we can go on the pitch beforehand and shoot some goals. Only if you are up for that? " I said to Harry, whilst nodding in James' direction.

Harry hugged me again and gave James a thumbs up before leaving the room. My mum beamed and clapped her hands together.

" Well James, you've made my son's day. Thank you! "

" The pleasure is mine." James' eyes were on me and I felt uneasy under his gaze. I don't know why. I knew he didn't fancy me so what was happening here.

" I guess I'll see you at school James" I said, trying to let him know he didn't have to hang around now. He did what he wanted to do.

" Why don't you stay for dinner James? I've made a lamb stew and I always cook more than we need." My mum was smiling brightly at James and I almost scoffed at her. If I didn't know any better I would say she was enjoying looking at James. I knew James wouldn't say yes so I got off my stool and made my way towards the kitchen door.

" Sure," James voice said, stopping me in my tracks.

I spun to look at James who was now making himself at home and sitting down at the dining table.

" don't you have training ?" I asked,  not sure how I felt about all this. I've seen enough movies to know the good looking popular guy does not want to eat dinner with the maths geek unless for some bet.

" No , my manager texted me on the way here saying the pitch is flooded due to a burst pipe or something. " James' eyes met mine and he held my gaze, I'm sure I saw a small smirk. I glared at him suspiciously, not caring that he knew I didn't believe him. I finally nodded and I sat down opposite him. My mum was busying herself with cutting and buttering some crusty bread rolls. James and I sat and stared at each other from across the table. I knew James was good looking, that much was obvious but I had hardly examined his face up close like this. His eyes were such a beautiful array of blues. Green and blue mixed together, reminding me of holidays. His dark thick lashes are enough to make any girl jealous. His perfect strong nose and chiselled jaw. His perfect smooth pale skin and I noticed how there was not a blemish on it. God he was annoyingly handsome. I felt self conscious sitting opposite him. My brown eyes hidden behind my glasses. My lashes were invisible unless coated in mascara, which I probably forgot to do today. I had no doubt that my boring brown hair was frizzy. My skin was olive but it was far from perfect, I was prone to a break out. I felt like ugly Betty. I finally tore my eyes away and busied myself on my phone.

" Why are you ignoring me?"

I looked up to see James genuinely concerned he had done something wrong.

" I'm not ignoring you, I'm just checking my emails." I replied dryly.

" Good, I thought being here had upset you or something?" James looked genuinely concerned and I felt guilty for being a bitch .

" Sorry , I have no problem with you being here. Anyway, what happened with Callie?" As I said those words my mum placed the stew and bread down on the table alongside some bowls and spoons. It smelt amazing. My mum was a great cook and her lamb stew was my favourite.

" Who's Callie?" My mum asked innocently enough.

"Some girl James fancies" I teased, wiggling my eyebrows. James ignored my teasing and poured himself some stew.

" Oh , well I hope she's a nice girl. She won't be as nice as my Emma, but some boys get intimidated by brains and beauty " my mum said out loud. I could always count on her to make a situation more awkward. 

James looked up at my mum and smiled

" I don't get intimidated" James threw me a wink and I literally felt my panties wet. What the hell was that?

I tried to ignore the flutters in my lower belly and remind myself James had told me he fancied the pants off Callie all the while hooking up with a girl in the pub toilet the week before. He would literally shatter my heart and I would never let that happen.