The Back Up.... (Closed for Kali)

[Cuterpguy]

Joey Jones
6'4
200 lbs
Short brown hair
Brown eyes

Joey Jones had been selected in the 2nd round of the football draft by the New York Giants. After a prestigious college career at the University of Auburn he was drafted an on his way. Joey had grown up in a small town in Alabama an lived out his dream of playing college football! However, he had defied all the critics and now found himself with a chance to be on and NFL team.

Unlike most QB's drafted they are suppose to be the face of the franchise. When Joey was selected he had been told that his playing time would likely be limited as he was going to be playing behind a future hall of famer. So going into it Joey knew he was just along for the ride!

Upon moving to New York he found himself a little apartment in the city that his signing bonus would allow him to pay for. It wasnt the nicest of places but not the worst either. After training camp was over he had made the team and was settled in. Since the practice facility was a little outside of town Joey had found a diner about a block from his house that he had fallen in love with! The food was good and the people were nice and not being a star on the team he could go there and pretty much fit in with everyday people.

Upon his first couple of trips there he noticed a pretty brunette who was there every morning. This was the reason that really drove him back to the place everyday. She always seemed to be in the same booth and the waitresses all knew her by name.

After about a week of making eyes with her but not speaking Joey woke up and said today is the day! Making his way to the diner for his morning breakfast he walked in and his eyes went straight to her booth. Like always he was there. Instead of grabbing a seat near hers Joey walked straight to her booth took a deep breath as she was looking down reading the paper. Clearing his throat as he wore a pair of khaki shorts and a Tshirt with an old ball cap he smiled. "Excuse me! I was wondering if I might join you? I have seen you in here every morning and was wondering if you could use some company?" Joey stood there nervously as the pretty lady looked up at him hoping she was not going to tell him to "get lost!"

 

[KaliR28]

Some people would say it was OCD, others would say it was boring, but to Kali it was just her life... She had a routine that worked for her and she figured why fix something that's not broken? Kali had had it all, a dance career and she was on her way to being a star.. But she had gotten in an accident and she wasn't able to dance anymore. She was dating the choreographer and he had stayed with her after the accident, he didn't act the same but then nothing was the same anymore. So she had developed a routine. She got up every day, walked to the hole in the wall diner for breakfast, followed by physical therapy and then she went back to the house.

She was sitting at her usual table reading a review for the dance she should have been the lead of when she realized Someone was talking to her. She looked up and smiled, it was the guy she had noticed had been in almost every morning. "Umm sure, I guess..." It had caught her off guard and she didn't real know what to say.

 

[Cuterpguy]

Joey heard her say hello and then yes he could join her and e slid into the both across from her. Extending his hand to her he smiled. "Hi there! I am Joey. I have seen you in her the past couple days and when I woke up this morning. I told Myself. If she is there again today I am going to say hello! So here I am!" Flashing his boyish grin at her.

"So I hope I am not interrupting and let me be honest. I have never done anything like this before. Talking to strangers isn't really my thing. But a friend told me I needed to love a little!" It was true Joey had never been the go get it type. Even when he was the star in college he kept to himself mostly and didn't seek attention. Life just seemed to be easier that way. But now he was in a city where he knew no one. Other than his teammates had no friends and well to be one st he was just kind of lonely!

 

[KaliR28]

She blushed a little as he seemed to be rambling a little. "Yeah, I noticed you seem to be here most mornings too.. I guess I should have said hello to you." She pushed her long brown hair back and took a sip from her coffee. "Live a little huh? I have been told that a lot too. Sometimes it's easier said than done tho... In my experience at least."

 

[Cuterpguy]

"I know right?" He says with a little grin to her remarks about living. As he takes a seat across from her in the booth. "It's like we are living why do we need to be wild and crazy when calm is suppose to be the norm!" He says looking across at her. "So I don't think I caught your name. I am Joey." He says extending his hand across the table to her. His mind was racing at how beautiful she was and the long dark hair was very attractive to him. "So what brings you here very morning? The good? Or are you just like me and seem to be a creature of habit? I mean don't get me wrong the food is pretty good! But there is something about this place that makes this big old city seem normal! And I am slowly learning it is anything but that!!"

 

[KaliR28]

She smiled as he again rambled a little- it was cute, and so was that little grin of his.. She extended her hand- "I'm Kali. I come here every morning bc it's just second nature to me now.. I do like the food, but the staff here has kinda become a second family to me and I look forward to seeing them all every morning." She smiled at him

 

[Cuterpguy]

Joey listened as she talked looking directly at her. It had been weeks since he had a conversation with anyone who wasn't talking football or a teammate lying and talking about how much ass they pull. As she mentions the staff becoming like family to her he can sense a touch a security here in her voice. "Well hopefully, perhaps I can share a few more breakfast with you as well!" He grins at her as the waitress walks up and he orders his food.

"So tell me Kali? Which by the way it is a pleasure to meet you! What do you do? I mean there ha to be more to you then just coming to the diner every morning for breakfast?" He asks as he glances out the window he is sitting my watching all the people racing in their suits and business clothes to work. "Or are you some kind of secret agent that you cannot discuss?" He laughs playfully. "Because if that is the case that is pretty cool!" Grinning at her as once gain he begins to ramble!

 

[KaliR28]

She laughed, shaking her head, "oh I'm not anything as exciting as a secret agent. I was a ballerina... I was in an accident and now I can't dance anymore.. So now, I don't really know what I am to be honest." She shrugged her shoulders as she gave it some thought, "how about you?- tell me about yourself."

 

[Cuterpguy]

He listens to her as he tells her story about an accident but does not ask any further details. "I am sorry to hear about your accident." He says softly. "As for me. I just graduated college and am new to the city. I have only been here a month or so. So I am still adjusting." Trying not to let on that he plays football. As he does not want that to be the topic of his conversation as he is a little ashamed he is just a back up.

"So for now just trying to explore and meet new people. Not to many people share the same interests as I do who I work with. They are more into the popular scene and partying where as I would rather lay back watch some tv and just not have a plan you know! Don't get me wrong I enjoy going out I am just not into to chasing wild girls and living the party life!" He says with a smile. "What about you though? What do you do for fun? I mean a pretty lady like you must have a crazy social life!" He smiles at her blushing a little as he continues to ramble. Not believing he just called her beautiful to her face! Even though she is!!

 

[KaliR28]

She smiled as he told her a little about himself. "Oh believe me- I'm not any better. I very rarely find myself "out"... Maybe a birthday or fundraiser here and there... But I would much rather be at home in some sweats watching movies or something... A month huh?- have you found any hidden gems yet?"

 

[Cuterpguy]

"Sweat pants and a ball game or movie sound amazing!" Joey replies to her enjoying their conversation. "As for hidden gems? Not really. I enjoy this place. But still looking for someone to show me around." He says smiling as he bites into his food.

"So what type of movies do you enjoy? Or things do you enjoy watching? Perhaps maybe some time if you aren't busy I can find one of these things and have you over? I mean it gets kind of lonely at my place. I hate to keep talking to myself at home. My neighbors might think I am going crazy if they hear me talking through the walls or something?" He says laughing lightly

 

[KaliR28]

She knew it was wrong, but she spent so much time at home by herself while her fiancé was on tour... She was lonely too... So would it be so bad if she spent some time with a new friend? She smiled, "I am a fan of the random chick flick, but I do love scary movies- but I don't watch them much bc they freak me out to watch when I'm home alone, you know- I start to hear things.... But then again maybe I just have a neighbor like you- talking to yourself?" She smiled and winked at him playfully.

 

[Cuterpguy]

As she winked at him and teased him. He couldn't help but smile at her. "Oh I can't do horror flicks! My neighbor really will think iam crazy when they hear me scream!" He laughs "but I must admit! I am sucker for a chick flick! As long as ou don't mind a little wet eyes? I am know for tearing up from time to time!"

Joey was having a great time but knew he was going to have to make it to the practice facility to watch film for the opening game Sunday. Even though there was no chance of him ever playing. "I hate to eat and run. But I need to get to work." "Wearing khaki shorts Tshirt and ball cap he thinks to himself "she is going to think I deliver pizzas or something"

Asking the waitress for a pen. He writes his number down on a napkin. "I tell you what! Why don't you text me later if you wanna stop by and we wi see if we can't find a chick flick or something on Netflix? That is if you are looking for some company?" Joey writes down his number and name and slides it across the table as he grabs both her and his ticket and smiles. "This one is on me!" He says winking back at her before retreating to the cash register handing the waitress enough cash for both meals and a handsome tip.

 

[KaliR28]

She took the napkin from him and smiled, he didn't give her chance to protest him about the check. She waved as he left the diner. She sat at the booth a while longer, thinking about their interaction. Her fiancé was out of town for the rest of the week, and she really didn't want to be by herself yet again, but going out didn't sound appealing either. She stuffed it in her pocket and left the diner. As she went about her day she kept thinking back to their conversation. She made it home and as she pulled out her keys she also pulled out the napkin, hesitating just slightly, she texted him, "hey there, thank you for breakfast. I enjoyed our talk. Hope your day went good, and well, if you are up for company, I wouldn't mind watching a movie with you.... Let me know." She hit send and went to the living room to relax.

 

[Cuterpguy]

After a long day if film, weights and practice Joey unlocked his apartment door walked in throwing his bag down and walking to the fridge. As he opened a beer his phone on the counter buzzed. Looking down seeing a number he didn't recognize. He saw the text and smiled. He knew it was the pretty brunette from the diner. Texting her back he smiled. "That sounds great just no horror movies! I don't want nightmares tonight! Lol." With the text he sent his address "come on over I am home! Have you eaten? I was about to order some takeout?" Joey quickly began to try and pick up his bachelor pad apartment cleaning up dirty clothes and taking out the trash. He then looked out the window of his flat style apartment with butterflies in his stomach.

 

[KaliR28]

When her phone alerted her of a new message she felt nervous. She read the message and smiled, "sounds good. I will head over in a few minutes. I have not eaten yet, I eat pretty much anything tho. See you shortly" she put a sweatshirt on with her sweatpants and headed out. She took a cab to the address and as she stepped out she looked up at the building... What was she doing?! Well whatever it was she was doing, she wasn't going to stop. Taking the elevator up and knocking on his door when she found it..

 

[Cuterpguy]

Seeing her text he grabs his phone putting in an order for some light Chinese food. A few moments later he hears the knock on the door. Wearing a pair of team logo work out shorts and Tshirt he takes a deep breath and opens the door. Even though she was dressed down she looked amazing! Standing there smiling "hello Kali! Please come in! Make yourself at home! I ordered some Chinese food! I hope that is ok?" He steps back to allow her to walk into the well furnished small NYC flat apartment.

"Sorry the place is a little messy. But with work and life you know." He says. On the counter next to his beer are a few play call sheets along with the play book in a note book. He hasn't told her what he did for a living but it was pretty obvious from the looks around the apartment that Joey wasnt just a man who moved to the city to work a normal job.

 

[KaliR28]

She smiled as she stepped inside. As he spoke she glanced around, "Chinese sounds great actually." She laughed when he mentioned his place being messy, it was refreshing to her- it actually looked like someone lived there! Nothing was ever allowed to be out of place in her apartment.. It looked like a showroom for a furniture store or for a real estate company. "No worries at all... But it does look like you must bring your work home with you a lot." She smiled as she slid her hand over a playbook. She knew it was some sports plays but beyond that she wasn't sure... She realized she hadn't even bothered to find out what he did for a living...

 

[Cuterpguy]

"What can I say!" He says as she runs her hand over the notebook labeled "NY Playbook" I have to bring my work home. But it pays the bills right. So what about you Kali? What do you do? Besides looking amazingly lovely in a pair of sweat pants and sweatshirt!" He says playfully leaning back against the corner sipping his beer setting it down opening one for her and handing it to her.

 

[KaliR28]

She took the beer, "thanks. I am an ex ballerina." She shrugged, "I'm not able to do it anymore after an accident. So I guess I'm jobless."

 

[Cuterpguy]

"I am sorry to hear that! But of it makes you feel any better and it is of no resemblance. I get paid to prepare all week! Then hold a clipboard on Sunday while I watch someone else do the job I am suppose to do!" He smiles trying to lighten the mood! "But in retrospect! Moving to the big city did allow me to find a great breakfast place and a very pretty brunette to watch a movie with!!" He grins his sly little grin and winks at her as he sips his beer bottle

 

[KaliR28]

She smiled, "so basically you have to hope for person in your position to go down so you can play... In this situation that person would have been me." She winked as she took a sip of the beer.

 

[Cuterpguy]

Laughing at her teasing. "Wow! Someone's got jokes!" He teases. "It's a good think you are pretty? Or that might have hurt my feelings!" Joey flashed his grin at her and winked back as he sipped his beer. "So I have to ask." He says leaning back against the counter. "Is that ring in your left hand real? Or is that just a tool to scare men like me away?" He asks playfully but in his mind very seriously.

 

[KaliR28]

The conversation had taken a slightly more serious turn, of course she was wearing her rjng, they weren't doing anything wrong... Just friends getting to know each other, right? God what was she thinking? "Honestly, these days I'm not sure if it's real or not... I mean obviously at one point it was... But so much has changed... I just don't know where either of us stand anymore... I hope you aren't thinking I'm some scandalous girl or something.." Spinning the ring around on her left finger

 

[Cuterpguy]

He smiles! "Relax! I don't think you are scandalous! Ever think I may be asking because I am curious?" He smiles at her. "But I understand and promise not to make any moves on you! But please feel free to hit on me!" Joey laughs and holds his beer up! "Cheers! To new friends! Even if you are way hotter than me!" He says winking and grinning