CHAPTER 45

It took me a while to go to sleep that night, I could hear Ashley and Stephanie laughing in the other room for quite a while. I woke the next morning about seven o'clock, Ashley's door was still closed, she must have had a real late night. I made a pot of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table. I was on my second cup when Ashley appeared walking slowly, apparently feeling the effects of last night's wine.

"I need coffee….. Badddd.", she said softly.

She poured a cup of coffee then fell into one of the chairs across the table from me. I had to grin slightly, she was a mess. I finished up my coffee, took a quick shower, then settled in on the sofa to watch TV. Since it was Christmas day, I knew everyone would be with family, there was no point in trying to go anywhere, or see anyone. Sometime right after lunch my cell phone rang, I reached over and answered it.

"Hey Brian, it's Courtney, what are you up to ?", she asked.

"Nothing, just watching TV with Ashley," I explained.

"Well, my Dad wanted me to call and ask you if you would come over tonight for dinner. That's if ... .um, you don't have any other plans.", she said quickly.

"No, I don't have any plans. I guess I could stop in for a little while.", I answered.

"Ok, see you then.", she replied, hanging up.

As I laid the phone back on the sofa, I could see Ashley giving me the eye. By the look on her face, I could tell she was not happy.

"Who was that ?", she asked.

"Courtney.", I replied.

"You can't be serious. You're going out with Courtney again ?", she hissed.

"Nope. Her Dad wants me to come to dinner tonight, that's all.", I answered.

I could tell Ashley was not happy with the situation and to some degree I understood why. Courtney had dumped me twice before for someone else, I mean how many times does the roof have to fall on you before you get the picture ? I went back to watching TV, falling asleep on the sofa for a few hours. I woke up at about five in the evening, took a long, hot shower, then dressed in jeans and a tee shirt to go to Courtney's. I left the house at about six and drove straight to Courtney's. I was relieved as I pulled into the driveway to see only their family vehicles there. I was not in the mood for another party. I rang the bell, Mr. Timmons answered quickly.

"Hey Brian, come on in, I am so glad you could make it.", he said, shaking my hand.

He ushered me into the family room and I took a seat on the large sectional sofa. I heard Courtney and her Mom in the kitchen, I guessed that they were cooking. I sat with her Dad for a while and talked until the ladies announced that dinner was served. We then moved to the dining room where the four of us had dinner together. It was a really nice meal, the food was excellent and I always enjoyed being around Mr. Timmons. I guess the fact that I had lost my Dad at an early age made me gravitate towards him, perhaps as a father figure. We finished up and moved back to the family room as the ladies quickly cleared the table. Once everyone was back together, Mr. Timmons walked over to the Christmas tree and took a small package from under it, walked over and handed it to me.

"Merry Christmas Brian.", he said, handing me the item.

"You didn't have to do this Mr. Timmons.", I said, feeling kind of awkward, I had brought nothing.

"I know I didn't. Now open it.", he said sternly.

I carefully opened the small box, to find a polish walnut wood box inside. I turned the box around and opened the lid, I was stunned.

Inside of the box was a watch, but not just a watch, a stainless steel Rolex watch. I had no idea what to say, I was speechless.

"I can't accept this Mr. Timmons, it's just too much.", I said looking at him.

He held his arm out, showing me a gleaming new gold Rolex President on his wrist, a grin from ear to ear.

"This is what Santa Claus brought me for Christmas this year, very nice huh ?", he answered, "Anyway, that is my original watch that I have worn for close to ten years. I don't have a son, but I know I want you to have it, please accept it."

I could see by the look in his face, the emotion in his eyes, he was genuinely sincere. I closed the box softly, I was still at a loss for words.

"Sir, if you ever want this back, I will understand. Just ask.", I said.

"I know you understand son, that's why I am giving it to you.", he answered, "Now before you leave, go downtown to the jewelry store and have Mr. Weinberg, size it for you. There are extra links in the box, I already paid him for the resizing."

"Thank you, I don't know what else to say.", I responded.

"Now if you young people will excuse us, my wife and I are going to be friends for a few hours. We will see you guys later.", he said, getting up and grabbing his wife's hand.

They left several minutes later, leaving just Courtney and I in the house alone. The mood immediately went from relaxed and warm to extremely awkward. We talked for a while about nothing in particular, it seemed almost like a blind date. Finally the tension got to be a bit too much, so I decided to call it a night.

"I'm going to head home, Ashley is alone, it's Christmas.", I explained.

"Oh…. Yea….. Sure, I understand.", she replied, jumping up.

"Tell your Dad thanks again for the watch, I still can't believe it.", I uttered.

"My Dad loves you Brian, like you were his own son. I can't begin to tell you about how much grief he has given to me because of how I treated you. But I deserved it, I am so sorry, I really am.", she said softly.

"It's ok Courtney, things happen sometimes for a reason.", I answered, not really knowing what to say.

I left shortly after, headed right home, there was little traffic on the road. I arrived home just a few minutes before nine. I locked up behind me, poured a glass of ice tea, then went into the family room where Ashley was watching TV.

"Hey, how was dinner ?"she asked, without looking up from the program.

"It was very good, but… I …. I got a present from Courtney's Dad.", I stuttered.

"What did you get ?", she asked, turning towards me.

I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out the shiny walnut box and handed it to her. She opened it quickly, I could tell she was as stunned as I was.

"Brian, this is a Rolex. You can't accept this.", she said quickly.

"I told him Ashley. He insisted, it's his old watch. He got a new Rolex for Christmas.", I answered.

She closed the box shaking her head slightly, I could tell she didn't approve. And to be fair with Ashley, I did feel really awkward taking it. I placed the box down on the coffee and sat down on the sofa for a few minutes.

"There is a movie coming on in about forty five minutes that I want to watch. I am going to take a shower before it starts.", Ashley told me.

She left the room and headed down the hall. I looked at the cable guide to see what movie she was talking about. It was a fairly new movie that I hadn't seen yet either. I decided to take a shower quickly as well, then see if the movie was any good.

I took a quick shower, threw on some practice shorts and a tank top, then hit my favorite spot on the sofa. Ashley was still in the shower, I could hear the water running. I was almost ready to doze off on the sofa when I heard her walking back down the hall. She walked in front of the TV and over to the lounge chair next to the sofa. She was wearing a mid-thigh tee shirt, her hair pulled back off of her neck. As she went over slightly to adjust the pillows in the chair, I could see her white laced panties under the shirt. I quickly turned my eyes back to the TV as she turned and sat down. I knew there was no way I was going to be able to concentrate on the movie with Ashley sitting so close to me, those incredible legs stretched out in front of me. On top of the visual stimulation, I could smell her bath soap and lotion from where I was sitting. Thankfully the movie was terrible, at least I thought so, I excused myself to go to bed after about twenty minutes.

Before I knew it, the holidays were over and I was unpacking my belongings back into my crowded dorm room. There was an air of electricity around campus that I had not seen since my arrival. The press were camped out all over town hoping to get interviews with players or coaches about the upcoming game. The game was going to be played in New Orleans this year, which was advantageous due to the short commute for our fans. We would definitely have the home field advantage if there was one.

We practiced all week then departed by bus to New Orleans on Friday morning, arriving in the early afternoon. We were ushered past fans and reporters camped out in front of our hotel, all wanting autographs or interviews. We had been told before arriving what our schedules would be and what was expected of us. Even though we were in one of the biggest party cities in the country, we were expected to conduct ourselves properly at all times. The game would be played on Monday Night at 7pm, we would have one practice Saturday, one Sunday, then a walk through on Monday. Our opponent would have the same schedule. In between there were interviews, media day and fans buzzing around trying to get photos or autograph's.

We were given Saturday Night off as a team, but we had a midnight curfew scheduled. As was normal the team splintered off in their own little clique's , offense, defense and special teams. The defensive line had decided to go down the block to a world class restaurant that had invited us to dine with them as a courtesy. I tagged along, I was looking forward to the food. We had no sooner stepped out of the hotel lobby, when we were rushed by a dozen or so fans all wearing our colors. They held jerseys, footballs, pictures, and other memorabilia out hoping to get a signature. I had to quietly laugh to myself at where this game had taken me. A big goofy kid from a small town most people had never heard of, was being asked for his autograph. The coaches had warned us about signing autographs, that most people were just there to get items signed, then they would sell them online for huge profits. Very few autographs were actually for the person asking, but I really didn't mind. Long after the rest of the guys had left, I was still signing items. I finally finished, walked down the block and met the guys who were already seated. It was uncanny at how much attention we were getting, almost like we were bigger than life.