Reaching for Rebecca

Chapter 87

REBECCA'S POV

I didn't sleep anymore. I don't think Ryan did either since he held me tightly and played with my hair all night. I was so afraid. I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything.

We lay in silence until the alarm went off and Ryan's hands stilled on my back. I tensed, not wanting to get ready for school and he started slowly massaging my back.

"Want to stay home today?" I nodded into his chest and he continued his soothing movements. "Relax for a bit Becs. We can talk about it later. I'm staying home with you – but we have to go tomorrow."

"Okay." That seemed to work for him and he kissed the top of my head in approval. After a few minutes, Ryan backed away.

"I'm going to shower quick anyways. Are you going to go back to sleep?"

"I can't sleep." I said softly and he knelt beside the bed to kiss me gently.

"Then let's shower. We can make breakfast after and watch some Netflix." I was surprised that he would want to shower together after his little speech yesterday. "I know you don't want to be alone hun. If you don't want to shower together we don't have to..." I stopped him with a hand on his strong forearm.

"Thank you." He nodded and pulled me out of bed before picking me up so I could wrap my legs around him. He walked us to the shower and set me on the countertop to start the water.

"Do you want to talk right now?" I shook my head no. "Okay, later." He smiled slightly.

"What?"

"Baby I want to be caring and undress you so I can carry you to the shower but I honestly need minimal body contact." I giggled and hopped off the counter. I was glad that he was acting somewhat normal instead of hovering over the obvious. He stripped and moved the shower curtain back to climb in. "I mean I'm not saying I would be opposed..." His voice slowed to a stop after I stepped in behind him. His gray eyes that I loved so much began to darken and his large frame seemed to get bigger in the small space.

"No contact, remember?" I pecked his lips and ran my hair under the water. I'm pretty sure I heard him growl...

---

We finished our shower and cooked breakfast together before watching some Netflix in Ryan's bed around ten. I was so thankful that he really did stay by my side all morning – especially when we were downstairs making breakfast; the windows on the first floor made me so nervous.

I had showed him how to braid my hair and he's been practicing for the past half hour. He'll braid it then run his fingers through it, then braid it then run his fingers through it... you get it. He stopped and fastened the braid he just finished and nestled his head in the crook of my neck.

"I want more people watching over you at school," he started, "and I have a few ideas but I wanted to make sure you were okay with it first." We were both silent for a few minutes until I finally spoke.

"I don't want people to have to watch over me, but I'm so scared Ryan."

"I know baby. And I want to keep certain things private for you but I would feel better if there were more people keep an eye out. I won't do anything you aren't comfortable with either Becs – do you want to hear my ideas or do you think this isn't something you want at all?" I know he's probably right and I trust his judgment.

"What are your ideas?"

"Well, one option would be to show a picture of Kirk to the football team and just tell them to keep an eye out. Landon said he can find a picture online given that he's an attorney." Ryan stopped to reach around and grasp my hands, gently massaging the backs with his thumbs. "Another option would be just telling them to keep an eye on you and let me know if they see anything suspicious..."

"I don't like that one."

"I didn't think you would hun. I would prefer just picking the seniors on the team – since those are the ones you will have classes with – instead of telling everyone. I don't want this to spread around the school like wildfire, that's the last thing you need."

"How do you know that won't happen anyway?" I wouldn't mind accepting the extra help; however, I wasn't sure who would be trustworthy at this school.

"Becs, the team looks up to me as their leader because of my position as quarterback. I call the plays during games and I lead our practices so we improve. There are really only two people I would withhold this information from and they're both juniors. The other nine seniors besides Mason and me are all great people that would have my back." He notices my hesitation and continues with his little speech. "I can arrange for you to meet them if that would help. I know this is difficult but we need extra help this week sweetheart – just until your birthday on Sunday."

"He could still come after that..." My voice started quivering on its own account and Ryan hugged me tighter.

"I know baby but at least he won't have legal custody over you. We can get a restraining order in place and he'll have no legal terms to fight it."

"Okay."

"Okay what?"

"Okay we can go with your second idea, but I want to meet them first and please, please don't tell them anything they don't need to know." His face nuzzled against me and he kissed my cheek.

"I promise they won't learn anything confidential. Bare minimum only."

"I trust you." He held me for a bit longer and moved back so he could text everyone.

"We'll go to school a little earlier tomorrow morning and meet everyone in the locker room alright? I'll tell everyone it's a private meeting and invite Landon and Mason too." I nodded along and he purposely held his phone where I could see his messages. I let out small sigh of relief seeing return texts acknowledging the point of keeping it private: the guys were very respectful towards Ryan and didn't question his need for meeting up which I was thankful for.

---

The rest of the afternoon was filled with Ryan cheering me up and keeping me close to help me relax. We stayed on the second level and goofed around playing cards, xbox, and even I Spy! (Which wasn't all that exciting when you're stuck in one room.)

Alex got home after school and rushed right to his room and shouted a quick hey before running to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

"Uh... big plans there?" Ryan asked from his spot next to me on the bed.

"Got a date. Supposed to pick her up in like ten minutes." I get more excited then I should.

"With Hannah?!" Alex appeared in the doorway with a toothbrush in his hand and a strange look on his face.

"You remember that?"

"Of course I remember! Why wouldn't I?" The boys both started laughing and I looked to Ryan for explanation.

"Babe you said some random things and were pretty drunk that night." I felt my cheeks heat up at the faint memory but rolled my eyes in feigned confidence anyways.

"Psh I would still remember your girlfriends name Alex. Where you taking her?"

He blushed and walked back to the bathroom but still yelled: "Just going to get coffee and do some homework!" He then sped past the door in a hurry to leave with a quick "see ya!"

"I wonder if he'll ever bring her here," Ryan said in wonderment and I couldn't help but giggle.

"Eh, your family isn't that bad..." He joined in my laughter with a shake of his head.

We didn't do much else for the remainder of the night. Ryan helped me make some lasagna so his parents would have an actual meal when they got home though. After that we stayed upstairs until falling asleep early. I wish I could say that I slept better than yesterday...