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“You were shot,” she frowns at my dismissive tone towards what happen.
“Trust me, I know. I'm even thankful I was.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Gabe?” Ryan is thoroughly confused now.
“Well, I wouldn't choose for it to happen, but it did. My mom,” I emphasize so she'll understand my point, “went to tell you what happened when she found out we weren't talking.” I lace my fingers with hers. “You're here. I've missed you so much.”
“I missed you too.” She smiles.
“I've been worried about you.”
Ryan frowns. “Worried? Why were you worried?”
“I didn't know how things were with you and with your parents.”
“Oh. Well, I told them how badly I wanted to major in art and why I picked it. They told me they would support my decision under a few conditions. Other than that, we haven't really talked much. I think blowing up like I did really caught their attention. There's still a long way to go before things are better.” She sounds hopeful, and that makes me hopeful for her.
“It's a start, right?” She nods. “C'mere.” I keep saying, “Closer,” until she's close enough for me to kiss her. Ryan's grinning when I press my lips to hers. I kiss her slowly, but fiercely until I hear that happy sigh of hers. “Are you going to take care of me when I go home?” I mumble against her lips.
She laughs. “Yes, I will.”
“Thank you.”
Her green eyes pierce me. “You've taught me so much more than football or shooting, Gabe. Thank you for that.”
I smile because she's taught me so much too. Not only that, but I've finally met the person I can love with everything I am and who will love me just the same. Just as Ryan is about to give me another kiss, the door creeks open to reveal my mother, causing Ryan to stand upright again.
“Is everything okay in here?” She asks.
“Yeah, Mom. We're good.” I squeeze Ryan's hand, and she smiles down at me.
“Great. Your father and brother are here if you want to see them.” She glances between us, almost as if she's intruding.
I open my mouth, but Ryan beats me to it. Her eyes find me, and she gives me a small smile. “I'm going to go, but I'll be back, okay?”
“You don't have-”
“Your mom woke me up and then we came straight here. I haven't eaten anything yet, so I'm going to find some food in this place. I'll be back,” she repeats as she finishes.
I don't want her to go. I just got her back. But she needs to eat, so I nod reluctantly. Ryan carefully leans down to give me a quick kiss before leaving the room as my family reenters. Mom, Dad, and Owen spend some time with me, talking to me, but I'm barely paying attention. For the first time in weeks, Ryan is in the same building as me, and we need to make up for lost time.
When she finally comes back, I grin at her. “You missed all the action, Ryan,” I say.
“I did? What happened?” She asks as she comes to stand to my right.
I move my left hand over my stomach, palm up, and she reaches out to hold it like I was hoping she would. “I'm being discharged. Are you ready to take care of me?”
Ryan laughs. “Of course, Gabe.”
“Good. Dad and Owen are going to take me home. Mom can take you back to your place so you can get your things and then you can come over.”
“Sounds like you have everything planned out,” she says.
“I do.”
“We should go; you'll be discharged soon,” Mom inputs.
She and Ryan leave, and I'm once again playing the waiting game. At least the next time I see her, we'll be alone. My arm goes into a sling, which I can already tell is going to be a pain, and soon I'm being dropped off at home to wait for Ryan. I go into my bedroom to attempt to change into more comfortable clothes. What I really want is a shower.
