Chasing That Desire | Danny Amendola

Chapter 20

"So I want you to come to dinner with me and some of the guys and their girls on Friday," Danny said as he sunk down on the couch next to me with a bottle of water in his hand.

I sighed and thought for a second. "I can't. I've gotta report for the Bruins Game. Saturday, too," I said as I looked up from the Bruins article I was reading— trying to catch up with what was happening in their season.

He sighed as he pulled his knees up and he sat criss-cross style. "Can't you switch with someone," he asked, his dark eyes looking back at me.  "You never go to dinner!"

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Danny. You've gotta ask a lot earlier than just three days in advance. As much as I'd love to go out with you and the guys, I can't just put aside my job," I told him with a sigh.

Danny let out a dramatic sigh and shook his head. "It just always seems that you do this when it's with the guys," he grumbled. "I mean you didn't have any problems going out Tuesday night with me last minute!"

I sighed and shook my head. "It's not that freaking simple, Danny," I snapped. I slammed the magazine shut and flopped it on the floor. "You don't have to work on random nights, like I do, Jesus Christ. You can't expect me to put aside my job just go to out with you and the guys!"

He sucked in a long breath and closed his eyes, almost as if he was counting to ten in his head. "Okay, I get it. It'd just be nice if you could, oh I don't know, actually go places with me like to team dinners and events," he responded calmly. "Or a freaking game!

I just narrowed my look at him. "Is that right?"

"Yes, Juliet! Some of the guys have been questioning if I even have a girlfriend, and if I've been hiding her," he shot back as he shook his head. "I'm so sick of deflecting, Juliet! Please! Switch if you can!"

I let out a huff and shook my head. "I can't! You know what? Fine! If you freaking want me to go so bad? I'll change with Kristi, and then be covering your game on Sunday, rather than be in the stands watching you, how does that sound," I questioned with an eye roll.

"Fine. Whatever. Work on Friday night. Don't worry about dinner," he grumbled as he stood up and began strutting toward the bedroom.

I rolled my eyes. "What a baby," I grumbled.

While it was true that I was working on Friday, I was also very thankful that I couldn't make it. Truth be told, I was absolutely terrified to meet his teammates.

Sure, Julian and Danny made up, but I was nervous because I knew Julian couldn't keep a thing to himself, and it made me nervous that everyone knew Danny and I's previous situation.

Thinking about it made my heart pump. I didn't want to be judged. And I certainly, didn't want to have any rumors spreading about us. A bad reputation could possibly ruin my career.

I sighed at the thought.

The Patriots might even have to do something to protect Danny.

***

I was sitting at the island sipping a hot chocolate when Danny came shuffling out of the bedroom. He made a b-line straight for the sink, where he filled a glass of water for himself.

He instantly chugged the water from the glass, and poured himself another. After he was done with that one, he turned to face me with slightly red eyes.

"I'm sorry," he murmured as he put his glass down and shook his head. "I didn't mean to get so mad at you."

I shook my head in return. "No, don't blame yourself, Danny. This is all on me. I-I... Maybe I just shouldn't work as much."

"What? No. Juliet, you love your job! There is no way I'm going to get in the way of that," he told me. "I-I..." He grasped the edge of the granite countertop and braced himself.

I looked up at him with furrowed eyebrows. "What's wrong Danny?"

"I'm sorry... I never meant to do anything to make you feel like you should put your career on hold. It's just tough to have to go to all these team dinners and have them ask where your girlfriend is and if you even have one." He sighed and shook his head.

"It's okay, Danny," I told him as an stood up and made my way over to him. "I've never meant to make you feel that way." I slid my hands into his hoodie pocket on his stomach and pulled him to me. "I love you."

He smiled and dipped his head, his lips meeting mine. "I love you, too." His large hands moved down to my waist and held me tight.

His forehead met mine, as he looked into my eyes with his beautiful brown ones. "I can't wait for you to be at the game on Sunday," he whispered.

I pulled my arms out from his hoodie pocket and wrapped them around his back, so our bodies were as close together a possible. "I look forward to it, too."

"Are you going to be wearing my jersey," he whispered, and placed a quick peck on my lips.

I bit my lip and shrugged. "I think I might wear my Tom Brady jersey," I told him.

His grip on me got tighter.

I pulled away laughing. His brown eyes were looking back at me, with a serious look. "I'm kidding, Danny. I don't even own a Brady jersey," I told him. "Yours was my first Patriots Jersey."

The look on his face softened. "That's great, Babe. I'm glad I could do that for you," he said with a smirk.

"But it's not my first NFL jersey," I told him with a cocky smile.

"What do you mean? Aren't you a Patriots fan," he asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Oh see, you clearly don't know me as well as you think, Mr. Amendola," I whispered as I completely pulled out of his grip.

"Oh god, who are you a fan of," he questioned as he crossed his arms over his chest. A playful look was present on his face.

"The Green Bay Packers," I told him and giggled a bit.

"What? The Packers? Why the Packers?" His eyes were wide. "Aren't you from like New Hampshire or something?!?"

I nodded. "Yes I'm from New Hampshire... But my grandparents lived in Milwaukee, so Wisconsin was where I ended up looking for internships, and I got one with the Milwaukee Brewers... And one weekend we all went to a Packers game! It was such a blast," I told him with a shrug.

"Ugh. So then you're an Aaron Rodgers lover?"
I shrugged with a big smile on my face.

"Unbelievable! Wait until I tell Tommy! I can't believe I'm dating you!"