Courageous

Chapter 6

Casey's P. O. V.

"Hey. How are you doing?"

I slowly open my eyes and see Justin sitting on the edge of my bed, his hand on my leg.

I slowly roll over and close my eyes, ignoring him. Justin moves over to the other side and kneels in front of my face, "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

I look at him, "I hope you're kidding. Because when I was shot, you ran for Vanessa and stayed with her all night. Why do you want to know how I am now? Ryan took care of me. I'm fine. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to get a few more hours of sleep. "

Justin groans, "Baby don't be like that. You're tough. You've been shot before. She hasn't."

I sit up and yell, "It doesn't matter! I'm your girlfriend! She's not! You told me that her being here wouldn't change anything! But it already has! When I needed you, you abandoned me! Don't talk to me until you get your priorities straight. "

Justin reaches out to me but I push his hand away, "You hurt me. You chose her over me. You need to decide who you want. Because I am not going to be that girl. I'm not going to be the girl who's boyfriend is always flirting with a girl but his girlfriend pretends not to notice it. Nope, I won't be that girl. So make up your mind. Or I'll make up mine. "

Justin sighs, "Casey, -"

"No. Stop. You need to go. You guys are going out this morning. I'm staying here. I was benched. "

Justin shakes his head, "I'll stay back with you. "

I laugh, "Are you just ignoring everything I said? I don't want you here. "

Justin looks at me in shock then gets up and leaves my room without a word. I lay there and can't help a few tears that accumulate.

***

"Casey. Wake up"

I open my eyes to see Ryan sitting next to me, "It's 10 in the morning. I stayed back to take care of you. I thought I should wake you. "

I smile, "Thanks Ryan. "

I get up and change, following Ryan to get some food. While we're eating, Ryan sighs, "I heard you yelling at Justin. "

I cringe, "Really? Sorry?"

Ryan sets his hand over mine, "As much as it pains me to say this, I think you should forgive Justin. Yes, what he did was wrong. But he cares about you more than he ever cared about Vanessa. He loves you. You're a Marine. Vanessa's never handled a gun in her life. As security, he felt he needed to take care of her first. He knew that you were strong enough to take care of yourself. And you know you are. "

I nod, "Obviously I am. I let you take that bullet out with nothing in my system to help with the pain. And look, I'm already on my feet. I'm tough. I'm a badass. I guess I'll forgive Justin. But if it happens again, that's it. "

Ryan nods, "I couldn't agree more. "

I laugh and take a spoonful of food, putting it into my mouth.

***

"Casey, could you go into my room and grab the play station remote? It should be somewhere on Justin's dresser. "

I yell back, "Yeah, hang on!"

I go into Justin and Ryan's room and go over to Justin's dresser. I see a small, black velvet box. I pick it up and open it, gasping when I see what's inside.

An engagement ring.

Ryan walks in, "What's taking so long?"

Ryan walks up and stops. I look at him, "Is this why you told me to forgive him?"

Ryan rubs the back of his neck, "Yeah. He showed me while you were sleeping last night. "

I can't take my eyes off the gorgeous ring. I grin, looking at Ryan. "He's going to propose!"

Ryan laughs, "Yeah. He is. "

I laugh and hug Ryan, "This is so exciting. And crazy! I can't believe it. "

"What's going on?"

I quickly pull away and see Justin standing in the doorway. He looks at my hand, where I'm holding the box.

I quickly say, "I promise I wasn't snooping! Ryan asked me to get something. And it was just sitting here."

Justin walks over to me, grabbing the box from my hand, "It's okay. It's okay. I planned on doing it in a more romantic way-"

"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry!"

"Shhh, Casey. It doesn't matter how I do it. It just matters what your answer is. So, Casey Maria Worthington, will you please marry me? I promise I will never choose anyone over you again. I'm completely devoted to you. "

I can't help but laugh and nod, "Yes. Yes!"

Justin slides the ring on my finger and pulls me into a hug. He pulls away and kisses me, "I love you so much. "

"I love you too. "

"Did you pick this out? Oh my gosh. It's so beautiful. "

Justin smiles, "Are you sure it's okay? We can get a different one if you want?"

I grin, holding my hand up so the ring reflects the light, "It's perfect. "

Justin takes my hand and slides the ring off, threading a chain through it. "Since it's dangerous to wear it, I got this so it can be a necklace. "

He fastens the necklace and kisses my cheek from behind.

I giggle, turning in his arms so I can properly kiss him. I take his hand and pull him to my room, sitting on my bed.

"Will you FaceTime my mom with me. She's heard a lot about you. I know she really wants to meet you. "

Justin laughs, "Of course. "