What A Feeling

Becca glances over at the door, seeing Niall and Kara enter. Taking in how handsome Niall looks, she feels shivers all the way down to her toes. Will he ever not take my breath away?

As Niall enters the Warriors practice facility, he gets a bit lost in watching these incredibly talented athletes. Then he remembers why he’s here.
Spotting Becca across the court; she’s interviewing number 23, and he’s blatantly flirting with her. Niall feels his blood begin to boil.
Looking at Kara, he seriously asks. “You think I can take him?”
Kara shakes her head. “Niall, stop.”
“He’s obviously flirting with her.”
“That’s Draymond. It’s just his personality.”
“I don’t like it.” Niall frowns.
“Oh really? Kind of how Becca didn’t like that hoe hanging on you?”
Niall’s attention turns to Kara.
“Do you trust Becca?”
“Absolutely.”
“Well, this is part of her job. Hanging around gorgeous athletes; and some may flirt with her. Looks like you both have some accepting to do.”
“Thanks, Kara. For putting it all in perspective.”
“You’re welcome. Here she comes. Go get her, I’ve got some fine, tall men to hit on.” She turns back. “Oh...no Niall, you definitely couldn’t take him.”
Niall grins, then turns to Becca as she approaches. “These are for you.”
She smiles as he hands her the large bouquet of colorful flowers. “Thank you, Niall.”
“Can we talk, B?”
She nods her head, and they head outside. Sitting down together on a bench.
“First off, I promise you there was nothing going on with me and that girl. I never met her before last night. The guys and I were taking pictures on the red carpet. Next thing I knew, they were walking off and I got pulled back by that girl. I’ve always been taught not to cause a scene on the red carpet, so I just smiled for the pictures. Honestly, I didn’t notice how she was hanging on me, till I saw the video later.”
“Why did she do it?”
“Apparently she’s an actress. She has a movie coming out, and her publicist told her to “hang all over one of the One Direction guys”. It could have happened to any of us, I just happened to be the easiest one to grab. That’s how publicity works. Good or bad, she’s in the news. People are talking about her. At my expense, but they don’t care about that.”
Becca blows out a relieved breath. “I can see that happening.”
“B, I didn’t like that guy flirting with you in there.”
She looks up, surprised. “Draymond? Oh he’s harmless. He didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I didn’t like it, but it did help me understand how you must have felt last night. That stuff happens to me and the other lads all the time. People trying to benefit from our success. So I didn’t think that whole thing with that girl was a big deal. I didn’t pay any attention to her. It’s part of my job, I guess.” He takes Becca’s hand. “Today, I realized, with Kara’s help, that it’s part of your job too. Being around all these athletes, and them flirting with you. When I got jealous, I understood why you were so upset about last night.”
Becca looks down. “Plus the fact that she was so much prettier than me. Sometimes I feel like I’m not pretty enough for you. I’m not like all those women that throw themselves at you. I don’t do fake eyelashes, or five inch heels.”
He squeezes her hand, then using his other to lift her chin gently, to meet his eyes.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I don’t like all that stuff. I mean, do I look high maintenance to you? I’m out the door in 20 minutes, and my girl should be too. If I miss kick off, I won’t be happy.” He winks.
Becca smiles, genuinely relaxing for the first time in days.
Niall grins. “Come with me, Babe.”
Taking Becca’s hand, he leads her back inside.

Standing with her at center court, he holds both of her hands. Looking around he tells her. “This seems like an appropriate place to tell you this.”
“What?”
Raising his hand, to cup the side of her face. He bends down to kiss her. Pulling back, looking into her eyes. “B, you’ve changed my life.” He smiles with a twinkle in his eyes. “I love you. With all of my heart.”
Becca’s breath catches. She smiles, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love you too, Irish.”
Niall lifts her off the ground, spinning around in a circle. “She loves me!” He shouts.
All of a sudden a loud burst of applause comes, as the entire team, plus Kara, is watching.
They both laugh. Niall pulls her up against him. Kissing her forehead, before whispering in her ear. “Wanna shoot some hoops?”
“Damn Horan, you always know just the right things to say to me.”

Notes