Elements of Us /// Jimmy Butler

Chapter 16

Disclaimer: I ONLY own the plot and characters that I have created. I don't own anything related to the Bulls, thank you.

"Hey, so you talked to the head guy or whatever about our game tomorrow?" Jimmy joked as he was tying his shoe on the ground, at their last pre-season practice.

"Yeah," Allison sighed, as the guys who were at practice that day huddled around to hear what she had to say, "I'll be at all home games." She smiled

"Oh good," Taj laughed, "cuz I take direction better from a woman." He laughed, with a smirk.

"You think you're slick?" Joakim laughed at his friend, slightly pushing him over.

Allison responded with an 'are you serious' sort of look.

"Jesus, Taj, now she's gonna make our last workout hard as hell." Derrick said, with a large sigh.

"Actually," Allison said matter-of-factly, "You guys are done for the day."

"Seriously?" Pau asked, in disbelief.

"Yeah, you guys are free to go." She giggled, "Seriously, rest up and I'll see you all at the game tomorrow, okay?"

"Alright, A." Jo said with excitement, giving her a high five, "You the best."

"I know." She smiled, as everyone began grabbing their belongings and heading towards the parking lot.

"Oh, Allison," Andy ran up to her, and the stragglers of the team who had walked up with her, "Glad I caught you." He said, slightly out of breath, resting his arms on his hips.

"What's goin' on, Andy?" She asked grabbing her car keys from her bag.

"Remember how a while ago I was trying to set you up with my nephew?" He questioned, walking backwards to keep eye contact with her.

"Oh, how could I forget?" she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Well, he's in town tonight so I was hoping you'd give him a chance." Andy smiled sweetly, as the surrounding players rolled their eyes and laughed.

"Andy, c'mon man don't put her on the spot." Joakim shoot his head.

"Yeah, seriously." Derrick agreed, "It's just gonna make her feel bad."

"Please, Allison," Andy pleaded, "I just know you'd like him."

"Andy, I'm sorry but right now really isn't a good time for me." She shrugged, "I don't know what else to tell you except for no thanks." She said with a slight frown.

"Dammit," Andy sighed, "I already told him you'd be there." He sucked on his teeth, "There isn't any way I could get you to change your mind?"

Allison shot a quick glance to Jimmy, who was loading all of her stuff into her trunk, and then swiftly turned back to Andy.

"I'm sorry," she shrugged again, as most of the players filtered out saying their goodbyes, "But, I'm just not available right now."

Andy pursed his lips, "You're dating?" he asked, as confusion clouded his eyes.

"It's complicated," She smiled, "But, you don't need to know about it." She laughed, "This conversation is over, sorry Andy."

Andy wallowed towards his car as Allison shook her head. Jimmy was just closing her trunk and was beyond tempted to wrap his arms around her, he was slightly annoyed by Andy's constant pestering to get her to go out with his family members. He wanted to show everyone that she was his and he was hers.

"So, J," Allison began, pretending to be showing Jimmy some information on her clipboard as everyone, including Andy, had drove from the parking lot.

"Mhm, mhm." He nodded while agreeing, playing along.

She couldn't resist anymore and pressed her lips to his the second everyone was out of sight.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," He grinned, pulling away, "Miss. Walker, this is against the rules." He joked.

"Oh, but I love breaking the rules." She teased, opening her car door.

"So, I'll see you at the game tomorrow and then on Saturday, right?" he questioned her, breaking from their joke.

"Yeah, of course." She said, "I'll be there tomorrow to support you guys, and on Saturday." She smiled.

"Just makin sure," he said with a shrug, "Just seems too good to be true." He said with a mischievous smile.

"oh my god," She rolled her eyes at his intentional cheesiness, "I'm leaving now, bye." She shook her head stepping into the driver's seat and buckling her seat-belt.

"Bye, baby." He said seriously now, sticking his head in her door. He puckered his lips for a forgiving kiss which she happily gave to him, "Text me when you get home so I know you got there all right." He smiled.

"I will." She grinned, "Bye." She finally departed from him and made her way home.

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Allison had wondered where the time had gone when she found herself talking with Andy at the first game of the season as the players were beginning to warm up.

"So you really gotta tell me what's going on in your love life, Miss. Legs." Andy said, as Allison just began to tune into his rant.

"We are here for the team, Andy, not to talk about my love life." She laughed, as she sat down in her designated seat, which was (of course) beside Andy.

"You're right." He said, putting his hands up in defense, "We're here to help."

The United Center was filled with fans, and Allison could feel the overwhelming hype surrounding her; she was so lost in her own nostalgia that she didn't even notice the game begin.

Everything was happening so fast. She could see the improvement not only she had helped with as the team she had grown so close with was speedily zipping around the court; but also with the work they had put in outside of speed training. She was impressed when the fourth quarter ended and The Bulls had won by 38 points.

The locker room was a frenzy; there were so many people in there Allison couldn't see who was where, not only all the players and coaching staff inside, but also other family members and countless reporters.

Allison hung back and took the whole scene in. She saw many of the players being interviewed and countless other actions going on. So, she felt it wasn't the proper time to congratulate her, now, friends. She caught Jimmy's eye for a few seconds as she leaned back against the wall and he sent her a subtle wink.

She felt a gentle tap on the shoulder and was accompanied by Andy. "It's really something, isn't it?" he asked, leaning on the wall next to her.

"There are definitely a lot of people in here and I'm a little claustrophobic." She giggled, crossing her arms.

"Yeah well, you better get used to it, kid."

"Oh, Miss. Walker, Miss.Walker," A reporter called out spotting her, the women sought out for her as many other unoccupied journalists turned their heads and followed her, "Sunny Long, from the Herald, can I ask you some questions?" she asked raising her recorder up to Allison.

Allison just shrugged to herself as Andy gave her a light pat, "Sure, why not?"