CHAPTER 129

On Monday morning, the bus took us to the Superdome for our morning practice, it was basically just shorts and helmets, no contact of any kind. After practice we were given a tour of the facility, then taken to lunch at a local restaurant. That evening we were given four hours of freedom to explore the city as we saw fit, but we had to be back in the hotel for nine o'clock that night. I decided to stay in for the evening, I was still exhausted from the trip.

The following day we flipped schedules with our opponents, they had the early practice, we got the afternoon session. We arrived at the Superdome at two o'clock in the afternoon and practiced until five. We showered, changed then were taken to another restaurant for dinner. We arrived back at the hotel close to seventy thirty in the evening, I went directly to the courtesy desk.

"Has Ashley Thompson checked in yet ?", I asked.

The lady behind the desk quickly typed a few words into her computer, then turned back towards me.

"Yes sir she has. She's in room 621. Would you like me to ring her, tell her you're in the lobby ?", she offered.

"No ma'am, I want to surprise her.", I replied.

I walked to the elevator, pushed the button for the upper floor and waited for several seconds. The doors opened, I rode up to the sixth floor, then walked down the hall until I found Ashley's room. I knocked gently on the door, I heard voices from inside. I heard the latch being released on the door, then the door swung open.

"Briannnnnnnn."Ashley squealed, jumping into my arms.

"Ashley, it's so good to see you.", I whispered, softly kissing her cheek.

I set her back down, she pulled me into the room, closing the door behind me. She looked as beautiful as ever, tight blue jeans, tee shirt and boots. She pulled me by the hand leading me over to a very well dressed man, who was sitting in one of the two chairs near the window. He stood up, a slight nervous look on his face.

"Brian, this is Jeff Constant, the guy I told you about. Jeff, this is my step son Brian Stevens.", Ashley stated.

"It's very nice to meet you Jeff.", I said, shaking his hand.

For the next hour or so, we basically caught up on everything that had been happening to the two of us. Although Jeff sat rather quietly in his chair, he did seem to be an extremely nice man. I could tell the both of them cared for each other a great deal, the way they interacted, it was obvious. Apparently he was a huge football fan, this was the trip of a lifetime. As we were talking, my cell phone rang, it was Josh.

"Hey, what's up ?", I answered.

"Where are you at ?", he asked.

"Down stairs in my step mother's room.", I replied.

He asked me for the room number, telling me he wanted to meet her. I gave him the room number, and hung up the phone. I informed them that Josh was coming down in a few minutes, Jeff appeared overwhelmed. Within minutes there was a knock at the door, I got up and opened it. I invited Josh in, introducing him to both Ashley and Jeff.

"This is your mother ?", he asked, his eyes bulging from his head.

"Yep, that's her.", I answered.

"I'm sorry bro, but if I weren't attached, I would definitely try to date your mom.", he asked, "You are beautiful."

"Thank you, but I'm his step mother.", Ashley laughed.

Josh stayed with us for about an hour, he was infatuated with Ashley, as were most men the first time they met her. Josh and I left the room together, I promised Ashley I would be back later when Alexis checked in. I was laying in my bed about nine thirty, when my cell phone rang, it was Alexis.

"I am downstairs in the lobby, what room number am I in ?', she asked.

"You're in 623, right next to Ashley. Your keycard is at the desk, I 'll meet you at your room.", I answered.

I went back down to the sixth floor, I was leaning against the wall when Alexis exited the elevator. The bell hop had her luggage with him, she ran up to me wrapping her arms around me tight. She gave me a quick kiss on the lips, as the bell hop opened the room. He carried her bags by placing them on the bed, I handed him a tip, he thanked me by closing the door.

Alexis looked stunning, she was wearing a tight black skirt, stockings and black heels. She had on a cream colored silk blouse, her hair was perfect. You would have never known she had spent the last few hours traveling. She told me she wanted to freshen up a bit, I told her I was going next door to Ashley's room, that she should come over when she was ready.

I had been sitting with Ashley and Jeff for maybe thirty minutes when there was a knock on the door. I got up, walked over and opened the door, letting Alexis in. As I followed her into the room, I could see instantly both Ashley and Jeff were stunned.

"Ashley, Jeff this is Alexis Clarke.", I told the two of them.

"It's so nice to finally meet you Ashley, I have heard so much about you. Brian speaks very highly of you.", she told Ashley.

"It's nice to meet you as well Alexis.", Ashley answered, shaking her hand.

We sat and talked for about fifteen minutes, when Alexis leaned over to me.

"I don't mean to be rude, but I'm exhausted. Would you mind if I went back to my room, called it a night ?", she asked.

"No, of course not.", I replied.

She got up, leaned over and kissed me gently on the lips, then stroked my cheek, before walking out of the room. The door hadn't even closed completely when Ashley leaned over, a huge smile on her face.

"Oh my God Brian, she is absolutely beautiful.", she whispered.

"Yes she is.", I answered, somewhat embarrassed.

"Are you two serious ?", she asked.

"I'm not really sure Ashley, it's a long story, but it's been really good lately.", I stated.

"I am so happy for you hot shot, you hang on to her, she's a rare find.", Ashley replied.

I went back up to my room, took a shower then fell asleep quickly. I woke up at about six thirty the next morning, it was media day. We were scheduled to meet the press at one o'clock, then head to a huge reception for fans who had won passes to meet with both teams for autographs and pictures. Around eight o'clock Alexis called, asking me to come down to her room. I went to her room, she was still in her night clothes, she apparently had just woken up. She wanted to know what my schedule was, so I told her about media day. Just about that time, there was a knock on her door, she ran quickly into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. I opened the door to find Ashley standing there, Jeff right behind her.

"Hey Brian, I wanted to see if Alexis wanted to hang out with us today while you go with the team," she asked.

I stuck my head through the bathroom door, relaying the information to Alexis. She jumped at the chance, asking them to give her a few minutes to get ready. I told everyone I was headed back upstairs, the team was getting ready to leave for brunch. On my way back up to my room, my cell phone rang again, this time it was Mr. Butler. He informed me they had arrived in town and what hotel they were in. It seemed they were only around the corner, less than two blocks away. I had arranged through the foundation for Bryan and his parents to both be present at media day and the Fan Fest. I promised Mr. Butler, I would see him shortly.