Off Limits - Ryan Sitkowski

Chapter Thirteen

"I'm gonna be right back." Jennie says to Ryan, heading off toward the bathroom at the back of the bar. Ryan watches her leave, smiling to himself.

The door swings open and it's followed by a loud voice. "Where the fuck is Ryan Sitkowski!?" It's Chris. Everyone looks around and some eyes land on the man with a clenched jaw.

"What the hell do you want?" Ryan asks, clenching his fists as well. He stands, glaring at Chris.

"I'm gonna beat your fat ass." He bellows, jabbing Ryan in the chest with every word. "And then I'm gonna take what's mine back." Ryan just rolls his eyes.

"You can't talk about a person like that." He says, shoving his hand away. "And no you're not."

The bartender steps in. "You guys can take this outside." He says, a phone in his hand. Chris grabs Ryan's shirt and leads him outside.

He shoves him down, throwing the smaller guy against the cement sidewalk. "Get the fuck up!" He shouts, only to shove him down again.

Jennie returns from the bathroom, to be greeted by the crowed watching what's going down outside. "What the- god fucking dammit." She pushes her way out, looking at Ryan who's being shoved against the ground by Chris. "Excuse me." She says, grabbing Chris's arm tightly. "What the actual fuck are you doing to him!?" She kneels next to Ryan who's barely conscious. "You trying to make him go fucking brain dead!?" She takes her sweater off and puts it under his head. "Someone call 911." She says, standing up.
"I don't know who the fuck you think you are for beating him up. What did he ever do to you!?"

"I-He-You were sleeping around with him!" He shouts, making someone gasp. "Yeah!"

"Nothing happened between us." She says, looking right into Chris's eyes. "The reason why I walked out on our wedding day was because I didn't love you like I used to." Ryan lets out a soft whimper. "I fell out of love." Chris glares down at Jennie, grabbing her hand tightly.

"You fell out of love?" Jennie lets out a squeak, trying to pry her hand out of his grasp. "You fell out of love!?"

"Please let go. You're hurting me!" She pleads, pulling her arm harshly.

Ryan forces himself up, swinging his arm with everything in him to punch him in the jaw. "You're a fucking bitch." He seethes, definitely knocking a tooth or two out. He pulls Jen aside and has her stand back, almost collapsing.

As soon as Chris stands back up, he shoves Ryan back down and starts beating the shit out of him, showing no mercy for Jennie's pleads as she tries to pull on his shirt, crying.

A police officer pulls Chris back, slamming him down to handcuff him. He gives him his rights as he's being escorted to the police car, people applaud the officer.

Jennie's kneeling by Ryan, both have tears in their eyes. "Miss, could you please let go?" A soft male voice asks, trying to be gentle. It's a paramedic, Jennie shakes her head, crying even harder. "Would you like to come with us?" She nods, whimpering as they put Ryan on a stretcher and load him into the vehicle.

—
Ryan has a concussion, some broken bones and a busted lip. He lays in a big white hospital gown as he waits impatiently for another doctor. "I love you." Jennie whispers, holding onto his hand, tears rolling down her face. "So much." He looks at her, wincing slightly.

"I love you more." He states, reaching up to wipe away her tears. "Don't cry, baby." Ryan says softly.

"This all my fault." She whispers, looking down. Ryan pulls on her hand a little. Jennie looks up, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Come here." He whispers, scooting over. She curls up against him, trying to be careful because of his ribs. As soon as she lays down, she's asleep, her cheek smushed against his shoulder.

—
A doctor comes in and talks to Ryan, earning a soft whine. He just smiles and looks up at the doctor, rubbing her back. "We'll have to do some surgery on your ribs to get 'em fixed." He says, glancing at Jennie. Ryan gently shakes her.

"C'mon baby, wake up." She whines, lifting her head. "I gotta get surgery." Tears fill her eyes again. "No don't cry-" She nods, closing her eyes. "I'm gonna be okay." He smiles softly, pushing her hair behind her ear. "It'll be okay." He smiles again, kissing her forehead.

"When?" She asks, looking at the wall behind the doctor.

"Probably today. Maybe after lunch?" Jen starts to cry again, sitting in a chair, her knees pulled up to her chest. "I'll give you guys some time."

"Hey, Listen. It's not like they're surgering my brain." He puts his hand on the top of her foot. "It's just my ribs. They're fixing my insides before they have the chance of puncturing my lung. I need them if I'm gonna keep smoking." He states, looking up at her. "Here." He reaches around his neck to pull a necklace off his neck. "Keep it safe for me." It was a small ring on a thick silver chain. Jen nods, wiping her face. "I love you."

"I love you too." She kisses his forehead gently, standing up.

A nurse comes in with a few other men, ready to wheel him down to the operating room. Jennie sighs shakily, looking at Ryan's soft smile as he's wheeled away. "I love you." She whispers, heading to the waiting room.

She calls Vinny, telling him to come meet her at the hospital before she dozes off to sleep.

—
Vinny drapes his coat over his sister while they wait for Ryan. A nurse comes over and tells Vinny Ryan's out and that he's accepting visitors.

As soon as they're in his room, Jennie curls up with him in his bed, holding his hand to her chest, kissing his knuckles. She sighs, falling asleep with her head against his shoulder.

—
Vinny has to help Ryan into his bed, making sure he has all of his pain medication nearby. Jennie thanks her brother before he leaves. She turns back to Ryan, climbing up next to him. "I'm sorry." She whispers, kissing his cheek.

"Stop apologizing, baby." He says quietly, closing his eyes, his hand holding her ass. "It's all o-" he shifts and tenses. "Fuck- it's all okay."

Jennie curls up tighter against him, falling asleep from the hand going up and down her back. Ryan smiles at her, kissing the top of her head. "I love you."