Casual Affair

Sixteen

After one more night in the hospital, I was monitored and then finally sent home and my bed had never been more comfortable. When I got home, I was greeted by my grandparents and some friends from my squadron who made sure that I was comfortable and had everything I needed.

While Natasha and Lillian disappeared into my kitchen to make me my most requested food, enchiladas, Mickey and I hung out in my room as I flipped through the channels.

"Any news yet on what happened?" I questioned and Mickey looked at me, shaking his head.

"I really think it was some freak accident, Ry. I don't think Sienna had anything to do with it, I just think your hate for her is making you blind to anything else that could've happened."

"It's just too much of a coincidence," I sighed, watching Darth Vader walk across the television screen. "You know, wanting to find out if Sienna did this to me and me wanting to fight her isn't enough, Mick. I need to marry her dad and spend her inheritance. Ya know, completely ruin all of the good things she has."

"Ry, is that you or the pain pills?" He laughed before noticing my eyes on the screen. "Wait, is Darth Vader giving you daddy issues?"

"First off, I've had them my entire life. Secondly, Anakin was the first love of my life. I could've changed him," I teased as I glanced at Mickey with a smile.

"Hey, I would've ruled the galaxy with him if he asked," Natasha said as she handed me a plate full of enchiladas before plopping down onto the foot of my bed. "Holy shit this bed is comfortable."

"That's what you get when you pay ungodly amounts of money for comfort," I teased.

"Hey, do you need anything else before we leave?" Lillian questioned as she popped her head into my bedroom.

"Probably just something to drink," I called back to her with an appreciative smile before turning to Mickey and Natasha. "Has anyone heard from Bradley?"

"You're joking, right? He's literally been sitting outside this entire time like a sad puppy," Natasha laughed. "He's desperate for you to talk to him."

"What would you guys do?"

"If it were me, I'd give him the time of day. Brad's a good guy, Ry. When we first came here for this mission, all he did was talk about you," Natasha replied.

"No he didn't," I muttered.

"He did and I've never been so tired of hearing about you in my life," Mickey grumbled with a hint of a smile. "Maybe give him a chance, Ry."

"I might make him sweat it out a few more days," I muttered, laying back against my pillows.

"You should probably get some rest," Lili said as she sat on the edge of the bed beside me, placing a water bottle full of ice water on my nightstand.

Mickey, Lillian, and Natasha made sure I was well taken care of and comfortable before I was left alone for the evening. As I finally settled in from having guests and finished watching Return of the Jedi, I heard music from outside and for a minute, I wondered if there was a block party that I wasn't aware of.

Curious, I slid out of bed with a groan and pulled my curtains back and saw Bradley leaning against his bronco with the music blasting out of the open windows. 

Time only heals if we work through this now and I promise we'll figure it out.

Could Bradley Bradshaw get anymore cliche?

I let out a sigh and watched Brad and he watched me with an apologetic smile on his face. He knew I was a sucker for all things cliche and this was going to be no different, especially after hearing the lyrics of the song he chose.

I thank the oceans for giving me you. You saved me once and now I'll save you too. I won't hesitate for you.

With slight hesitation, I nodded towards my house and Bradley threw his fist in the air before cutting the engine and walking to the front door where I waited for him. Without a single word, he carefully wrapped his arms around me and I melted into him.

"I knew I got you to like the Jonas Brothers all those years ago," I teased.

"I've been so worried about you," he muttered before finally getting a good look at me and moving his thumb to run over the large gash that peeked out of my hairline and was now glued shut.

"Apparently it'll take a lot more than a plane crash to take me out," I replied as I closed the door.

"I thought I watched you die, Ryder."

"I had a few minutes there where I thought I was going to die too," I explained as I walked to my oversized armchair and sat on the arm. "So much for being beamed up."

Bradley couldn't help but chuckle before pulling me into his arms again and my forehead rested against his shoulder as he held me. When I pulled my good arm back, I saw the book that Bradley held in his hand and I gently reached out to grab it.

"The Alchemist," I muttered. "It's a good book."

I noticed that Bradley's bookmark was torn and carefully opened the book to see what the bookmark was, only to find photo booth photos of us from our first date together and the last of the four photos was of us kissing— our very first kiss.

"You still have this?" I questioned, my eyes not leaving the series of photos. "God, look at us. Still just babies before the world completely messed us up."

"Of course I do," he replied. "It's served as the perfect bookmark for the last twelve years."

"Why?" I questioned, finally looking up at him as I closed the book.

"It's always been you, Ry. You are everything to me," Brad explained and I sucked in a breath at his confession. "Everything."

Using his forefinger, Bradley gently tilted my chin up, his gaze immediately finding mine for a long moment before pressing his lips to mine for a lingering moment.

"What's with the book anyway?" I questioned as I pulled back from the kiss and handed the book back to him.

"Despite the fact that you think you don't need any help, I'm here to help you. Thought I'd read while you rested."

"You don't have to do that, Brad. Seriously," I sighed. "Besides, it's already getting late. Go home and get some sleep."

"It's only nine," he chuckled. "I'll sleep here, on the couch even if that's what you want. But if you need help, I'm going to help you, little miss independent."

I sighed knowing that I could probably use the help and finally gave in with a nod.

"Have you really been waiting outside all day?" I questioned as I stood and slowly started walking towards my bedroom.

"Just in case," he replied, following behind me.

"In case of what?"

"In case you decided you wanted or needed me. So I could be here right away."

"You're something else, Bradley Bradshaw," I laughed breathily, pausing to look at him.

"Sure am. Now let's get you to bed so you can get some rest. I know how much you hate spending time in hospitals."

Bradley placed his hand on my lower back, guiding me back to my bedroom and getting me tucked back into bed.

Once I was comfortable, he crawled onto the other side and held me in his arms, softly kissing the top of my head as I drifted off to a well medicated sleep.