Starting Tonight

Chapter 11

"Would you just pull over and let me drive already?" Cory asked for the millionth time since we were left Florida.

"No. The doctor said you didn't need to be driving for 24 hours. It's only been twelve," I answered him as we cruised into up I-65 edging closer into the outskirts of Nashville.

"Baby, please," Cory begged, "I can't stand this. I always have to drive. You know this."

"You can drive tomorrow," I promised.

He just sat and sulked the rest of the drive to his house. He knew I wasn't going to give in. I replayed everything that had happened the day before in my head. It was excruciating. The fight between Chris and Cory. The trip to the hospital. Everything that happened at the hospital. The ride home. The night with the two of them in the same house being stubborn. The call Brandon and I had to make to their parents, Joanie and Tony.

"Can I just go to bed?" Cory asked me as we walked into the front door.

"After you eat I don't care what you do," I told him.

"There isn't anything to eat in this house and you know that," Cory said with attitude.

"That's why when you were sulking and not paying any attention I ordered Chinese takeout," I enlightened him, "It should be here in about 45 minutes. Until then you can sit your butt down on the couch."

"Why are you so bossy?" he asked while rolling his eyes at me.

"Don't get an attitude with me Cory. I'm not in the mood after what you two did yesterday," I said as I packed our suitcases into the living room.

"He started it," Cory defended himself.

"And you finished it by shoving him through a solid wood coffee table!" I yelled at him.

"I had to do something!" he shouted back at me.

"Don't yell at me. I swear if you don't lose this attitude I'll get on the next flight to Chicago and leave you here to deal with Chris when they get here tomorrow night," I threatened.

"Fine," Cory sulked once again as he sank down onto the couch and flipped the TV on.

"I'm going to change. Do you want anything before I do?" I asked him.

"No. I'm fine," he sighed.

"Cheer up. It's just me and you tonight," I said as I smirked and quickly turned on my heels heading up the stairs.

I stopped at the top of the stairs and looked down to see Cory still looking at me with a smile on his face. It was the first genuine smile I had seen all day. With that I turned and walked out of his sight. I rummaged through the clothes I had in his closet and couldn't find anything suitable so I started digging through his. That's when I spotted it. The one thing he would die if I took, but die if I wore too. His Kuechly jersey. I quickly stripped down and pulled it over my head. It sure didn't look this big on him, yet it was so comfortable.

I threw my hair up in a messy bun just before I went back downstairs. Cory was engrossed in Sports Center and didn't realize I was back. I went to the kitchen to grab a couple of bottles of water out of the fridge when I felt a sharp pain shoot down my back.

"Ahhh!" I screamed as I leaned against the bar.

"Are you okay?" Cory asked as he popped his head around the corner.

I didn't say anything. I just slid down onto the floor. Within seconds he was knelt down at my side.

"Baby, what's wrong?" he asked as he reached up and grabbed my shoulder gently.