Lindsey tuned into the song as Adam turned up the volume. She smirked. She knew that song. When Adam picked up the lyrics, singing along she joined in, adding her melodic Mezzo Soprano to the duet, and showing off her range by occasionally raising to Soprano and dropping to Contralto. It was an exhilarating moment of fun that she kept going with a smile as long as Adam wanted to continue. When they were done, she laughed.

"I love that song. I'll add it to my set when I play at the club."

She let Adam go ahead and express his expectations that she will do her job properly. It was a bit annoying, but it was consistent with his less than humble side. "Yes, boss." She grinned. It was kind of cute in a way. "I already told you. You make plays and I'll report on how good or bad a job you do. That's how it works. Don't worry, you won't get any special treatment from me. Not while I'm doing my job. If you don't like what I report, then you'll just have to do better the next time."

Turning her ear towards the radio, she started to sing along with the next song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBUx6zTxr98

   Adam Grinned and Joined in, with is  'not too great Voice'... He    looked at her as he said "  .. Take a  swing, i can take a hit...

   after the  song he was laughing softly,..that's almost our theme  song...  we used it  at a few  Pregame parties...the FAns  sing it when we  walk out  onto the field.

 he  got a pleased  smile  on his face  as he says,That line?  "  we celebrate with the City tonight,hear the whole town cheer, its the ultimate high.."...that's it... the whole thing in a nutshell... people  who have been beaten down and made fun of..they    get to swing back now...  They  turned off,   Adam  weaving through late night traffic, but  not dangerously .. just  confident  in his  skills ,  The  Studio building  loomed off to the right,  be another    5-8 minutes depending on the lights.

 Being  quiet for a  space  he shifted his  eyes  and says,That's my secret... i always  try to do better, next time...If i can surpass myself?.. I should be able to surpass  anyone who is  Lining up against me.

Lindsey nodded in agreement at Adam's last statement. "I think that's really the only way to get better at anything. We're always our greatest opponents... and our worst critics." She looked ahead and saw the studio. It was so close. Too close? What was she thinking... or feeling? She checked the time. Damn that curfew.

"So we have the same taste in music. We both like cheesecake. I can used to not having the graham cracker crust. My favorite color is green. If it's not yours, I'm guessing have a fondness for it by now. We both like the same football team..." She grinned. "I think we have a lot in common, Adam Bronk. This could be the start of a beautiful friendship."

Seeing the studio building getting larger, Lindsey checked the time again. "Do you think..." she hesitated. "Do we have enough time to go around the block a few times? I'm not really ready for this to end." Her stomach flipped. How could she just say what she just said? It was way too forward and wholly inappropriate. She wracked her brain for something she could say to clarify, or to make sound less like what it sounded like. She was babbling in her own head. There was only one way to handle it, and she knew it.

"I'm sorry. That was totally inappropriate. You have a curfew and a... What I meant to say was, I had a great time tonight and thank you."

     Adam Looked and smiled  a bit  as he  stoped for a light,Green is my color, I guess?.. i always liked it..my eyes  are green, Highschool was Green and White.... College was  green and Old gold... Japan  was Green and bright yellow,,TiCats  where Black Gold
 and white. but  hey? Canada >,,and  dragons   are  Green  white   and Black?

 He smiled   wryly and  pulled off to the  side, taking his  cell phone from the holder, he Called.. ad   voice  at the other  end   could just barely be heard...Hey? Mike?  Yeah..This is  Bronk..Yeah? Look, I am way down town, and have a few things to do.... on  my way back?  Clock me in as   'calling in'..yeah? I know? but Calling in his better then Missing Curfew, right?..yeah..no? If  i decide  to  stop at a motel or something  I check in from there... yeah....Thanks!

  Adam looked  at the sideview mirror and  got back into the   traffic flow... once they were slowly  moving  as   folks who worked  last were Going home..3rd shift people  coming out for one of the Amota Business  or factories...sooooo.. just how many laps? he grinned.

Lindsey's stomach was fluttering. She was almost hoping Adam would have just accepted her apology and sent her home. But he didn't. She shouldn't have been happy about it, but she actually thrilled. And a little frightened. This was a collision course, but the usual caution and responsibility that guided her decisions had abandoned her. How many laps? A smile spread across her face despite her attempt to restrain it.

"I don't know." She finally answered. It seemed neither of them had anywhere else to be. "I don't have a curfew and apparently you can call in from a motel. Just keep going until one of us has to stop." She took the restraints off her smile and turned it at him.

For once in her life, Lindsey didn't know what else to say. There was a growing tension and it overrode any other thought. If she tried to hard it would just spoil the moment, so instead she turned the music up enough to fill the car with mood, and placed her hand next to his on the console between them.

  Adam   smiled  and  Nodded  as they Moved through the street, His hand   gave hers a  PAt,   , before  putting it on the steering wheel. The   car  Moved, music filled the  car..

  So..  let's say Lindsey had a day off... what do Linseys do on thier Day off?

   he was taking  , Long Blocks, the studio  a 1/2 mile to the right passed  as he went down the Boulevard .

As they passed the studio, Lindsey felt a rush as if they were headed into the unknown. The friendly pat on her hand sobered her a little, but at least his question gave her something to say that wouldn't sound silly.

"Well, my usual days off are full of other activities, but I'm sure you don't want to have adventures in laundry or trade the car to jockey a vacuum a small apartment. SO, if Lindsey had a special day off, she might go to the beach, or look for an art or music festival. I'm not sure we can find one of those at this time of night." She settled into her seat. "I don't know, how far are you willing to drive beyond the block?"

  The  bridge  over a causeway, took them into  the  suburbs....

  Beach is  Nice .. i  try to tan for a  while, but...i get antsy and  end up running    the surf, helps build up  the legs...., sand works  too? but getting hit  by the waves helps you work on balance...

  Movies. Books, Video Games..that  fills alot of my  time, besides   film...

  coming out the other side  of the Suburbs, there was a little gas station, near it , a soft freeze Stand. One car was pulling away, it was late,  a few cars going in and Out  of the  gas station..

 He  reaches  in the  Back  , grabbing a  Dragon's  windbreaker,here, Put this on, its  warm enough?  But the seabreeze, makes it seem  cooler...

  he gets out, he'll open the door  for her, and  Point at the marquee ,... pick any thing you want?... Thier cones are good. but they melt fast... Sundaes  are great too, Or , the Old  stand By, Milkshake...I mean they have  novelties  and stuff ..but pick what you want...Also..it   acts  as a Good sleep inducer, in case you're too wound up from the party...

 There was a Young Girl at the  window,Hi..welcome to White Cap Waves... how can I help you? she looked  bored. perhaps tired...she clearly didn't have a clue who they ere,

Lindsey took the windbreaker, holding it until Adam opened the door. As she got out she slipped it on then stepped out of the way for him to close the door. She read the menu as Adam explained their offerings.

Casting her eyes in his direction, she laughed. "Okay, this might be the first time I've ever had a man try to put me to sleep." She laughed again. "Well if you want to find a way to my my heart, ice cream will get you there."

Stepping up to the window, Lindsey waited until the girl behind the counter finished with her unenthusiastic welcome. "A small chocolate sundae please, with hot fudge and chocolate chips. Oh, can I also have some colored sprinkles?" she glanced over at Adam. "...and some cherries on top." Satisfied with her order, she stepped out of the way, interested to hear what Adam would order.

"So when this evening started, I figured Cindy and I would just mingle about the party, saying hi and shaking hands. We'd be done about ten and then head back to the studio." She stuffed her hands in the pockets of the jacket and cast her eyes around the area. She smiled. "This is much better. But maybe we should just walk on the beach instead of running."

    Adam  looked   up at the  signs, and shrugged, Medium Pineapple  -Vanilla Milkshake......Shaken, Not stirred...  he smiled  at the   young woman..she Just blinked...

 ..we have a machine that does that....

  Adam sighed,..Right..Thanks...   he turned to  Lindsey and said,,,and  That, Ladies and Ghents, is   why I do not do stand up...

  when the  items were ready,  Adam Paid , gave the  girl a  5  dollar tip... he  waved to the beach..The clouds   were thick, But Moving  fast, there was a  half-moon  peeking out, now and again.

 they walked  while they  ate their  goodies... I don't  know  how much  Cindy Planned  going  with Steele? Damn odd she took her  car....But Hey? It worked out...
 you just got stuck with me taking you home..well..almost home...we're  in the same state
 at least.

 the beach was  dotted with Bon fires  as people   night fished, Surfed, or had some kind of party going on.. he sipped and  frowned...I was looking forward to  see you run with a   sundae, trying to not drop a  chocolate chip!..but... walking is good... he grinned a bit.

"The joke may have fallen flat, but the recovery was priceless." Lindsey laughed. "Just stick to being charming."

Lindsey walked alongside Adam onto the Beach, taking small bites of her sundae and savoring the taste of chocolate with chocolate and chocolate on top. "If she planned to go with Steele all along, she didn't tell me about it. Who knows, maybe she drove him to her place or wherever. Don't worry, I'll pry. I'm an ace reporter and I'll learn the truth!" She raised her spoon to punctuate the last word. "Maybe it was a well coordinated plan to strand me. I can think of worse people to be stuck with." She giggled. "I'm sure you'll take me home eventually." She cast her gaze up to the sky. "It's beautiful out though, so no rush."

"The beach is mush busier than I would have guessed." She commented on the bon fires. When he lamented not getting to see her run with the sundae, she laughed again. "Oh gosh, no way. I'd make such a mess. That would be a crime against chocolate and ice cream. I could get jail time for that. But I'm almost done, so I'll be safe soon. I might have to run after to shed the five pounds I'm going to gain from." She scooped the remaining dollop, scraping the fudge from the sides of the cup and the pulling the spoon through her lips to savor the last bite. "So good."

Looking around she spotted a trash basket ahead. She tapped Adam on the arm and pointed as she held up the empty cup. "I'm going for the touchdown." And she took off running.

 She  took off , Adam laughed  and   jogged after her. he was wearing  sneakers, she wasn't, so he  wasn't going to run her  down.

   when he caught up to her , he   finished his   shake  and dropped the  cup into the  can...Looking over the  beach, he  nodded,Me and Mik came down here for Voluntaries , Mik happened to  find  some  chick who put him up for a couple days... I didn't want to ask Coach, or Yuto.. i slept on the beach   those three days.. the   fires  were Nice, i would
 stop by the , if the group didn't seem like jerks , I asked if i could share the fire...if they were whack jobs, I just kept  walking..once  i signed a  contract i got, I had
 to wait until coach  told Yuto if  i made the team..once i did? i got  to go to the townhouse... I was the First UFA to be signed.. Mik was next...the guys signed before us
 were  draft picks  and  FAs  they decided to  sign...

 he  absent mindly  place his hand on the small of her back  as   they turned back to the   beach....You want to walk more? or  you  too cold or  tired?..maybe  Ice-cream  wasn't  quite the right  choice  for a cool night on the beach. as he second thoughted himself

Lindsey dropped her cup into the trash bin as she ran up. Adam was right behind her, but only jogging. He dropped his cup in right behind hers.
"I can't believe you let me score that one. I think you're going easy on me."

Feeling Adam's hand on the small of her back, Lindsey covered he mouth to hide a small gasp. She liked it, but did it mean anything? It was hard to tell with him. She let him guide her, walking slowly to see how long he would keep it there.

"I'm fine. You'd think after all those drinks, a full meal and a cup of ice cream I'd be yawning right now, but I have plenty of energy. We can stay..." She thought for a moment. It was very possible he was just indulging her but really wanted to call it a night. "Unless you need to go... or have something else in mind. I'm good with whatever you want." She gave him an appreciative smile.

  they walked down to  with in a few feet of the surf, the water was making its noise...stray  crabs  scampered about, no doubt  waiting  for the   party folks to leave  so they could raid  , whatever leavings there might be.

 he started  for a moment as he realized  where his hand  was, but, the hand  stayed  as he looked at her.well... I think a  bit more walking to  whittle  down  the ice cream  calories?.. I'm pretty sure 'hanging out' cheesecake doesn't have  calories ...we'll have to look that up.  as they walked passed the middle fire,  Adam  said.

 This is  kinda neat, you know that? Nice to  just be  relaxed, and with someone that, who isn't  trying to  'impress you'... or   you don't have to impress..... damn shame  we  couldn't have done this Sunday Night, no curfew  for days off...
 his cell  beeped  it looked at it  and frowned, but never  stopped walking,the surf  was loud, so he put it on speaker..

 what's Up Kane?

 Hey, Little bro..you ok..didn't see your car

 ..never been better, Big Man..I called in..i'm fine, I'll see you   in the morning...

 OK,  Little brother.. just checking...

 Thanks Man.... that means alot.. go get sleep...

    He looked a bit embarrassed...Kane's a good  dude.. he got screwed  on his  first team... our Ex-DC  tried to do it  again.. because of his weight?.. But he showed them. he's a monster now..and he can move....Nice to have teammates  who  have your back. his  hand   gave her back a slight  squeeze as he spoke....

 a call from the Fire   and  a woman waved them up to the Fire... some  guy with a bear was playing  Guitar... they had  some food  and  drinks...Hey!..you two just walkin' down the beach... you want something' to drink?  so we don't have to carry  this stuff up to the truck?

 Adam shakes his head,Not  for me thanks. I ..um..don't drink anymore...But thanks for the offer

 One guy looks at he  through the flames...hey? I've seen you before....

 Adam  tilted his head,you ever been to the  Mall by the stadium?

 yeah!..yeah..that's were I saw you... book store,,right ?....

 Yeah?  could be... hey?  thanks  again, but, we don't get to  do this often, and    we have work tomorrow...

  ok.. you bet there , dude..you and your  girl  have a nice  night...

  eh!  how  about  a song before ya go... another guy was  getting his  keyboard  ready....another guy had  drum synthesizer

 sure, Folks... lets  here it....  he smiled

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Ng5muAAcg

 as the  people began to sing, Adam smiled a thoughtful smile, and   looked at Lindsey...

Ben responded to Kaleem "Start your meter when you arrive, we'll be out soon."

No point in the man being out of pocket from waiting around for them.

Once Lu-Ti was finished, he swigged the rest of his beer and they went out to the taxi area. Ben waved at any fans still hanging around (privately thinking they were mad to still be here this late).

"Back to the townhouse, please, Kaleem."

"Aw," Lindsey was touched, "that's so sweet. Kane sounds like a great guy." She looked up at towards the fire to see who was calling out to them. They were being friendly, but the guy speaking recognized Adam. Adam was smooth in the way he deflected it. It was obviously something he'd done before.

Lindsey wondered at the instruments. Playing music in the beach must have been some custom they had among them. They looked like a fun crowd. When the started playing Nickelback, her eyes lit up. She looked at Adam, and he was already smiling towards her.

She sang, keeping it directed at him, and low enough not to drown out the group at the fire

"What are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for?

Are you waiting on a lightning strike?
Are you waiting for the perfect night?
Are you waiting 'til the time is right?
What are you waiting for?"

  There was a slight hesitation, has his eyes    looked into hers, almost  as if he were looking for ...permission?, or perhaps,a  sign, as she  sung.

  He followed the Songs   words, 'make or break' was somewhere  in the back of his head., The front of his  head was  thinking of the woman in front of him. he leaned in. still a bit hesitant, if she  didn't pull  away, he would kiss her softly, perhaps, a bit longer then he might...

Noticing that Adam wasn't singing along, Lindsey turned to him. He looked... hesitant? From what she'd seen so far, hesitation was not in his list of characteristics. He wasn't at all self conscious about singing in public, but maybe he was different when not someplace he considered safe. Looking into his fire lit eyes, she stopped singing, wondering what he was thinking. When he leaned in, her impulse took over, meeting him halfway.

It was a soft touch of the lip, but it came with a spark. So anticipated but also unexpected. Startling and breathtaking yet so natural and perfect in that moment. Suddenly it all made sense. Like every other turning point that evening, Lindsey didn't want to let the moment go. She wasn't going to stop if he didn't. Instead, she slid her arms under his, gently gripping his shoulders and pressing into the kiss.

 his left hand  slipped under her  hair, gently supporting her head. what brief  break was there  Just  to set up another soft, caress...

 when  Adam  finally noticed  the Music had stopped. he Looked at the   party folks who were   smiling, The woman  holding her  hands  together  by her chin.

  Adam Looked to them...ah....mmm...what can I say, you guys can set the mood!...Thank you,um....  we best be moving on....


 Gently talking Lidnsey's arm, he steered them towards  the   White Cap Waves...he  was  quiet  for a moment, then  stoped,  a gentle  hand on each shoulder...I want to say i'm sorry...but that would be a big  damn lie..... his right hand   brush  some of the wind blown strands of  hair  from her face,..I... I  can't think of a better  night  i have had,...If.. If i over stepped?.... I am sorry for  that...but...that was.....great....

 again his  eyes  shifted watching hers..almost like  trying  to 'read the defense' , so he  could  react..or  to see if  she was...'put off...

When Adam broke the kiss, Lindsey was finally able to catch her breath. It had been stuck in her chest since their lips touched but even in the respite, it took a moment to release. Her heart was racing ten steps ahead of her thoughts and she felt lighter than the warm evening air. With a brief flutter, her eyes opened, catching his just a moment before he looked off.

Turning enough to see over her shoulder, Lindsey blushed at the party goers who had paused to watch her and Adam. Somehow, Adam had found just the right words to both thank them and excuse a quick exit. She wasn't very embarrassed, but she was glad when Adam guided her back to the icecream stand.

Not knowing what to say, Lindsey did nothing to break the silence during their short walk.  Though her mind hadn't yet caught up to her heart, a tangle of thoughts tumbled around in her head. How did this happen? Did he feel about that moment the same way she did? Was he angry about it? When he finally stopped and spun her to face him, she had her answers.

Lindsey smirked, shaking her head as Adam fumbled through his words. He was trying to say out loud everything she was thinking. His sincere uncertainty was adorable and his concern for her feelings was even sweeter.

"You know," she put a hand on his chest, rubbing gently with her fingertips, "for someone so insightful, you can be pretty dense." She tapped his chest with the palm of her hand. Putting both her hands on his shoulders, she leaned in and kissed his lips, holding it for a second before putting her forehead against his and separating just enough to speak.

"I'm still not ready to go back to my car." Her eyes flicked up to gaze into his. "Do we need to find more music to keep going?"

Wrapping both arms around his neck, she pulled herself against him and pressed her lips to his.

 There was a relived smile on Adam's face. he to..I think  we  can stay a while longer.....ok the kiss,  and smiled  more  .   Sitting Down with his back to the wind and waves, he pulled her   into  his  chest keeping the  Wind  from her  face, and, more   or less  warm.

 Looking  down slightly as his   right leg for a back rest for her,going to be ....complicated... your Bosses, My bosses... I wager to say, that once this gets out, you might  get more interviews then you give....

 a  voice from down the beach...DuDe!... One more before  we pack up!

 Adam chuckled  in his  chest, he  head  against  hers   as The woman sang from down the beach...

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Y_2mhFp5g

Wiggling into place, Lindsey pulled Adam's arms around her as she leaned fully against him. She felt both warm and secure, and more than comfortable in his embrace.

To say things were going to be complicated was an understatement. It was going to be messy. On the list of dramas yet to be played, how their respective bosses felt was at the bottom. At the top was how Adam was going to feel about it. The spark was undeniable, but even if they didn't take this any further before the end of the night, he was going to soon remember that he had a girlfriend and would have to make a choice. Lindsey believed she understood him well enough to know that he would put a lot of thought into it and make a decision he would own fully. What that decision would be remained big question mark. Her anxiety over it was ruining the moment. Those unknowns belonged to tomorrow so she pushed them out of her mind for the now.

Lindsey was about to change the subject when the partiers announced another song.  Putting a hand behind Adam's head, she pulled him into a deep kiss. She would have to thank them... later. If she remembered.

    The song ended , the sounds  of the partiers, packing things up  and laughing..They made there  way  to the well worn path  that came down from the Lot , where they parked.

  The beach was a bit  darker, the next party was a good  mile  down the beach, and the  light from the White Cap Wave   spilled down the   Hillock to the  sand.

  Kisses  were  many, but they were   long..savory..... some where, in whatever  amount of time. went  by, Adam said  softly,..... I think I need to get you  to your  car? or if the lot is closed, You home?... I..don't  want to  ruin this, ....so, i have  some hoops to jump through....I don't have to? Neither   do you, and ...a month or two down the road, no one will care....except..us.

 brushing  her hair  back again he says...no matter the  road  we take... there is  going to be push -back... and  folks who like us  will side with us, More readily, then if  we Just  slip under the gate..you know?

 he grins as  amused  grin,we have people  from 'my side'... Dragons,  Yuto...heck, maybe  even Lissy Dragon, who think i'm a stand up guy.... Before  we go into the deep end of the Pool. let me take the   anchor chains off us..... Then? Tomorrow, when you come down out of the stands, to   get some sound bytes...People will greet you with more  smiles, rather then , sidelong glances...

  slowly having her   sit Up, then Helps her to her  feet, as they walked towards the path that led down from  the What Cap Wave, he slipped his arm around her,I guess,  arm around you is ok now? a soft  chuckle escapes.

Lindsey lost track of time. Was it Adam that pulled the brakes or did they just come to a natural pause. It didn't matter. It was late when they got there and it was definitely past time to put the night to bed - figuratively. Adam was right. There were things to sort out, and a good nights sleep and some coffee would bring some needed clarity. If this was going to continue, it had to be deliberate and not the result of impulsive actions or any sense of obligation.

"I'm sorry," Lindsey said as she let Adam help her to her feet. "You have a curfew and a long day tomorrow where you have to be at your best. I dragged this out too long. It was selfish of me."

Feeling Adam's arm slip around her waist, Lindsey's lips curled into a smile. "Mhm." She hip bumped him and put her arm around him also. "You've earned it. As of now, you're the only one not immediate family on the allowed list. Congratulations, Adam Bronk. It's an exclusive list."

As they reached the car, Lindsey checked the time on her phone. She groaned. It was late late. She felt so bad keeping him up. When they go in the car she apologized again. "It's really late. Again, I'm so sorry. Please, please, please, don't take this the as me trying to... just it's a sincerer offer. If you don't have anywhere else to go, I have a pretty plush couch. You can just drop me by my the station first thing in the morning before you have to go wherever. All friendly and innocent. I swear."

 Adam  waved off  her worry,ytou didn't drag me anywhere.. I offered to drive you homw?..which...by the way..i haven't  done yet!...and  'Draggign it out"?

 he had a  slight  wound flinch but it went away as quick as it came... dragging it out, would  imply it wasn't  enjoyable?... I.....enjoyed  tonight...this morning? whatever it is..it  was/is  fun..

  he started the car, the  clock  said  2:35...

  well? I have  my back pack with my lap top and playbook.... i don't need a change of clothes , because   our practice  stuff is laid out in the locker room... Lets got to your place,  I'll drop you off on the way to the  Complex... um?.. we'll I normally get up  around 5?....he stopped at the edge of the Lot...Um....i don't know where to go? he grinned.

  while he waited for her Directions...hey Mike?..yeah , yeah I know you have to report it, go ahead..its  all on me... Look?  I didn't see a Motel, I'm crashing  at a  very....close  friend's  house... I'll just go straight to the Complex..thanks alot...

 you can  drive..or point? he  smiled