Puck Off!

Chapter 18

I sighed happily as I took a bite of my quartered burger. True to her word, Ryn had cut it into pieces that were easier to eat one handed, and I was eternally grateful, as was my stomach. It was a little weird trying to eat while avoiding the stitches, but once I got used to it, it was manageable. To nobody's surprise, Elske was waiting at the apartment when we arrived, with me being discharged around 4pm. It was early, but my hospital meal was tasteless chicken breast and mushy veggies, so this food was like medicine for the soul

"Damn, I really am moving in here," said Ryn happily while chewing her burger. "Would you mind terribly having a roomie?"

I looked over, liking the grin on her face as she teased me. Unfortunately for her, I really would kind of like that. "If things are going well at the end of the semester, would you like to move in when Ella does?"

She paused, half of her burger hanging from her mouth, and stared. She finished her bite chewing rapidly as she chewed. "Are you kidding right now?"

"Nope. I mean, that isn't till what, May or June? So, you have almost four months to figure out if that is something you want. But we're off to a great start, and I know just waking up and seeing you early made me realize how much you mean to me already. We have a bit of time to make sure we're all comfortable with that, but I'm happy to have you as a roomie if you like."

"And as your roomie, would you make room in your closet and share your bed?"

I snickered as I thought about my current room. "My closet is already over half empty. It's huge. I'm sure I can make drawer space too. I have little doubt you'd fit perfectly in the bed again too. I'll even demonstrate that tonight."

"We'll have to be careful of your arm though," she pointed out.

I nodded slowly. I would have to do that regardless, but it would be nicer having her there holding me. "I trust you. I know you won't hurt me."

She reached out a hand, gently taking the fingers sticking out of the end of the cast within her own. "No, I won't. That would be the last thing I'd ever do."

"Is everyone staying here for the night?" my mother asked the group. Both Elske and Iryna quickly nodded, and my mom smiled happily. "Well then, I'll let you all enjoy your evening. I have a reservation at the Hampton Inn, and I'll be back in the morning. Try to be safe, my children!"

Did mom really leave because she thought we were all having sex? Knowing her, yes. She probably assumed so and didn't want to hear her kids going at it. I couldn't fault her for that, even if I wasn't sure that Iryna and I were at that stage yet. I had no idea where Elske and Ella were either, but I knew they'd been talking a lot on the phone, so maybe they just wanted to cut loose.

"Did your mom just give me the green light to have my way with you?" Ryn asked once my mother had left.

"I believe she did, yes."

"Huh. Interesting." Her fingers still held mine, and now her other hand reached over to take my good hand. "Why don't we go upstairs?"

"Now? Together? To be alone?" I was starting to panic a little.

"Yes, but just to talk and snuggle. I would like to hold you if that is okay, before the girls there end up naked on that couch." I looked over at Ella and Elske, and they were already making out on my couch, so I quickly agreed.

She helped me up the stairs, which helped because my body was still sore and weak, and then helped me get to the bed, where I wearily collapsed. "Ryn, seriously, thanks for everything. This is going above and beyond girlfriend stuff."

She sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at the sheets. "I can't help but feel guilty though. If you didn't know me, Fisher would have never done any of this."

I reached out my good hand, pulling her closer. She sank down next to me, tears silently coursing down her face. "Hey, none of this is your fault. Fisher is a deluded narcissist, and nothing you did would change that. He thinks you need to be with him, so anyone you were interested in was going to face his anger. That isn't your fault at all! That is all on him."

"Well, the cops will hopefully take care of him now, and we can stop worrying," she said with a sigh as she gently held me. It was hard to believe that this big, strong woman could be so gentle with me, but I loved the care that she used while I was still sore.

"Even if the cops don't, I'll have a word with all the coaches too. He's a menace," she leaned over, kissing my cheek over the bandage. "And don't worry about any scar. You're still going to look great to me."

The scar did worry me. I knew it would be small, so it wasn't like a keep me awake at night worry, it was just a nagging thing. It was the thought that Fisher had marked me, and would be a part of me going forward, and I'd have to be okay with that. The worst thing is, I knew I was just having a little bit of a pity party. There were many people out there that had suffered much more than I and that had their own reminders, so who was I to complain?

"As long as you don't mind, then I'll be fine with it too."

She was silent for a moment, her free hand running up and down my belly. "Can I make a crazy suggestion?"

I turned a little, being careful with my arm. "Of course, those are usually the best kind."

She took a deep breath, then looked me in the eyes. "Let me and Elske move in. Now." She bit her lip for a moment, her nerves evident. "I know, it's crazy. But hear me out. If I'm not on campus, then you don't have to be there, and Fisher isn't a threat. I don't think he'll do anything after the other night, but I don't want to tempt him. Elske and I can take the room downstairs, you just have to get the furniture early. But that isn't a big deal, because Ella is already here, and we can pick stuff out tomorrow, and then we'll have furniture already for when she moves in. I'm betting she and Elske are going to be together by that time anyway, they talk every night already."

"They do?" I asked, startled more about the Elske admission than the rest.

"Yeah, Elske didn't want to let her get away, so she reached out almost as soon as she left."

"Probably a good thing, because Ella wasn't sure Elske liked girls. I told her she seemed to be into her, so I'm glad it worked out."

"Well, hopefully they're not too loud tonight!"

"Move in," I told her. "But you spend the nights here in my bed."

"Are you sure?" Her eyes lit up with excitement, and I knew I'd made the right choice. I knew it was early, but every day we spent together was better than the last. The support I felt from her was overwhelming, and I could only hope I returned the favor.

"I am. This right here, being in bed in your arms is the best I've ever felt. Our little talks put me at ease. I like you more and more every day. The thought of seeing you every night makes me feel all warm inside." Yeah, I said it. Warm inside. Warm and gooey. Fuck, I'm a sap. "Besides, the subway is quick, and we're only a few stops from campus so you won't lose much sleep."

"And I'll sleep better with you here," she pointed out.

"Then we should do it, right?"

She leaned in, kissing me gently so my face didn't hurt too much, and I pulled her in for more. She was worth a little pain. Her tongue danced lightly with mine, both of us moaning lightly before breaking finally for air.

"We get to do a lot more of that, right?" she asked.

"Absolutely!" I confirmed. "And even more when I get the cast off!"

"How long did they say that would take?" she wondered.

"It was only a crack, so the doc said it would be six weeks tops."

"Hmm. I should probably reschedule our date then, let you heal a little more," she murmured, partially to herself.

"We have to go bedroom shopping anyway. I can't even imagine Ella and Elke trying the mattresses out!"

"Don't say that." she lowered her lips to kiss my neck, and I moaned lightly in response. Fuck that felt good! "Just wait till your arm is better, this bed might need a new mattress too!"