What A Feeling

Niall joins Becca in the locker room, after the game. He stands back, watching in awe as she moves amongst these large athletes with ease. She seems to know how to handle them.
He’s watching her interview the most arrogant player on the opposing team, when the guy puts his arm around her. Niall feels an unfamiliar knot in his stomach.
Part of him wanting to rush over there and rip his arm off of her. The other part of him
knowing, that isn’t his place yet.
Niall blows out a breath, relaxing a bit as Becca manages to skillfully slip out of the embrace. Looking down at his hands, he realizes they were clenched into tight fists. What is this girl doing to me? He wonders.

Niall smiles as she approaches him.
“Ready to go to dinner?” She asks.
“Yeah, I’m starving.”
Becca laughs. “Do you want to meet there?”
“Um, I don’t have my car. I rode with Adam today.”
“Oh, ok, well then I guess I’m your driver for the evening, Mr. Horan. Shall we go?”

As they reach her car, Niall rushes to open her door for her. “Wow, thank you; I’m not sure I’ve ever had a guy do that for me.”
Niall grins. “Well obviously you’ve been hanging around the wrong guys.”
He stares into her eyes, hoping they are telling her everything he can’t say yet.
She looks away, then sits in the driver seat.
He shuts the door, blowing out a loud breath as he walks around the car.

On the ride to the pub, Niall can’t help himself. “Do the athletes always touch you like that?”
Becca appears to be thinking for a moment before replying. “Oh, you mean Captain Arrogant?”
Niall laughs. “Yeah. Nice nickname.”
“Most of them are very respectful, but occasionally I come across one who thinks that because I’m a woman, he can put his hands on me, or leer at me.”
“You shouldn’t have to deal with that.”
“Well, it’s part of the job I guess.”
“You handled it quite well.” Niall praises.
She smiles. “Thanks. I’ve had a bit of practice.”

As they pull up to the pub, he moves quickly to open her door, even taking her hand to help her out.
“Thank you, Niall. You better be careful, I could get used to this.”
He winks. “That’s the plan, B.”

Notes