When No One Would | Danny Amendola

Prologue

Prologue

** April of 2013 **

I finished dusting the powdered sugar on the brownies I had just made and picked up the tin before I quickly shuffled out my apartment door and into the hall, where I stood in front of the door directly across from mine.

My old neighbor, Maxine, had moved out and now there was someone new moving in. I wanted to greet the new neighbor the right way, so after a while of debating, I decided brownies would be the best way to welcome him.

I knocked on the door and then waited as I heard two voices on the other side. Next thing I knew, was a man, about my height, with blazing blue eyes opened the door. "Dola! There's a girl at your door with really good looking brownies," the man called over his shoulder as he eyed the brownies in my hands. "Hi, I'm Julian, I don't live here... I'm just helping Danny move in."

"Well I-," I was quickly cut off by a man, the same height, with dark hair approaching us.

"What was that, Jules," the man questioned as he rounded the corner and then finally saw me. "Oh, hi."

"Uh, hello, I'm Jess... I'm your neighbor across the hall," I motioned back to my door with my head. "Apartment 247, and I just wanted to welcome you to the building with some brownies."

"Well, I'm Danny. I'm sure Jules here has already introduced himself," Danny said as he pushed Julian to the side and stuck his hand out for me to shake.

I moved the brownie tin so It was balancing it in one arm and shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you Danny. If you uh ever need anything," I chuckled, "I'm uh right across the hall... Just knock at my door and I'm sure I can help. Oh! And here are some brownies I made for you."

"Thank you, Jess," Danny responded as he grabbed the tin of brownies. "They look absolutely amazing."

"Say," Julian budded in before we could say anything else, "Danny boy and I were going to head to the bar down the street after this, do you wanna go with us? First round on me! Just as a thank you for the brownies?"

"Uh, I have some work stuff to do, but yeah... I can't stay out late," I said as I shrugged. "Just knock on my door when y'all want to go."

Both Danny and Julian smiled back at me. "Okay! We'll let you know when we're ready," Julian informed cheerfully.

"It was nice to meet you guys," I mentioned as I turned around and made my way back to my apartment to continue working on my papers for work.

About twenty minutes later, there was a knock at my door, so I got up from where I was doing my work papers, and answered it.

When I swung the door open, Danny and Julian were standing side by side. Both in dark or black jeans, and white V-necks. "Hey guys, just let me grab my money and we can go," I told them as I quickly shuffled into the kitchen and grabbed it.

"You're not going to need it," Julian called to me as I made my way back to where I had left the two men.

I rolled my eyes. "I only agreed to let you buy one round, Julian," I exclaimed as I shook my head, and closed my door. The three of us made our ways down the hall, and to the stairs.

"How long have you been living here, Jess," Danny asked as he held the door open for Julian and I.

"Oh, well, I'm originally from Franklin Tennessee, and then went to BU... Now I'm working here as the head marketer for The Improper Bostonian... I've always wanted to do marketing in sports... But a job is a job," I replied as the three of us began to walk side by side. "What about you? What brings you here?"

A smile found its way onto both Julian and Danny's faces. Danny chuckled, "Well, uh do you watch football at all?"

I shook my head. "No, I only really watch hockey... But only really knew a few of the big football players like Brady... Rodgers... Cutler... Uh yeah," I replied with a shrug.

Julian laughed. "That makes sense. We both play for the Patriots. Danny boy here just got a contract, I've been on the team for a while now," Julian explained as he draped an arm over Danny's shoulder.

"Oh! That's really cool! Maybe that's why y'all look familiar," I replied as I shrugged my shoulders. The bar was now in sight.

"Yeah... But tell me... You're from Tennessee, what makes you like hockey so much," Danny quickly budded in as he raised an eyebrow and tilted his head a bit.

"Well, my dad side of the family is from New England... And he's always liked the Bruins... And now I love them! My other team is the Nashville Predators, because they became a team right around when I began to watch hockey," I replied with a shrug.

"That's so cool! My mom is from here, too! How long have you been living in the building," Danny asked as he raised an eyebrow. We just made it to the bar, so Julian held the door open for both Danny and I.

"Thank you... Uh, I've lived in the apartment for about a year and a half. The last person to live where you just moved in was one of my best friends. Maxine had to move to Seattle for her work though," I informed with a sad tone; I knew I'd miss Maxine.

"Ah," Danny mumbled as we settled down at the bar, he was on my left.

"What do ya want to drink, Jess," Julian asked from the other side of Me.

I looked at the bartender and shrugged. "Korbel and Coke, please," I responded without a second thought.

Danny chuckled from next to me. "I'll have the same please," he told the bartender with a smile. "Yeah, I think this is the beginning of a great friendship."

A smile found its way into my face. 'I agree' was all I could think as my drink was placed in front of me.

I'm back guys! It's been a while! This is short, I know... But I hope to get more up soon! PLEASE let me know what you think in the comments! 

- JJ :)