Page 124 of Voices

“You’re so beautiful.”.

He leans down and kisses under my black eye, then moves up above my good eye, and then my lips. I try to kiss him back, but a heavy weight is starting to pull me down.

He pulls back with a soft smile on his handsome face. It wavers for a second, but he quickly recovers, leaning down to kiss the tip of my nose.

“I only have about an hour before I need to leave for warmups. Are you sure you’re not hungry? I can make you something while I make Ryder and I breakfast.”

“Sure,” I rasp.

He climbs over me and grabs a glass off the end table. “I’ll be right back.”

I watch as he walks into the bathroom, returning a minute later with a full glass of water. He replaced a green straw that was in it and holds it to my lips. I keep my eyes on his chest as I take a sip of the cold water, relishing in how good it feels on my scratchy throat.

He sets it back on the table and I lay back down against the cool pillow and watch as he gets dressed. He pulls a pair of dark-washed jeans over his toned ass, and I watch as the sculpted muscles on his toned stomach move as he pulls a black T-shirt over his head. A black hoodie with Gannon University Hockey in gold letters follows. It’s all topped off with a black and gold backward hat.

Walking back over to me, he tilts my chin up until I’m looking into his eyes.

“I’m going to make breakfast then I’ll be back. Do you need any pain meds or ice for your ribs?”

Everything is just a dull ache, so I shake my head with my chin still held by his fingers.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He bends down and kisses the top of my head.

With my eyes closed, I listen as he makes his way to the door. At the sound of it clicking shut, my body sinks into the mattress. There’s an invisible weight pushing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe. But I welcome the feeling. Maybe if I let it push hard enough, I’ll drown and finally escape the voices.

A few minutes later Shane comes back holding two plates. Setting them down, he helps me sit up. The weight in my chest making me feel sluggish. He sets my plate on my lap before rolling his desk chair over, putting it as close to the bed as he can.

“Lily should be here soon. She’s going to hang out with you today while we play Hamilton State this afternoon. I’ll be back around four or so.” I nod, bringing a small bite of scrambled eggs to my mouth.

I’ve eaten half my food by the time his plate is empty. The weight in my chest makes me feel too sick to eat any more. He takes my plate and sets it on top of his. Sliding his hand underneath mine, he brings it to his mouth. I watch as he kisses each knuckle then turns my hand palm up and places it on his cheek.

“I love you, Beautiful,” he says softly as we look into each others eyes.

A knock on the door a little later breaks the spell his eyes held me in. Ryder walks in followed by a bouncing Lily.

“Okay, I can’t take her energy anymore. Time to go.” Ryder steps to the side, barely missing being smacked in the face with Lily’s braids as she spins into the room.

“I’m allowed to be excited to spend the day with my best friend. Be jealous!” She spins away from him, flipping her braids and hitting him in his chest.

Ryder smirks as he follows her in. She stops next to the bed behind Shane and as soon as her hand touches the back of his chair, Ryder picks her up. She lets out a squeal and then laughs when he tosses her on the bed next to me.

“I don’t need to be jealous when Ilivewith my best friend,andwe play the same sport. Plus, we have the same major so that’s even more time together.” Ryder has a strange look in his eye as he looks Lily over.

Lily fake gasps. “O-M-G! Do you guys paint each other’s nails too and, like, give each other fashion advice? Oh! I bet you spend all your downtime learning cute updos for that luscious head of hair of yours.”

What the fuck is even happening right now?

Shane stands up and pushes his chair back by his desk.

“Alright, you two. Enough of this awkward ass flirting. You can fuck when we get back.”

He pulls his hoodie off, momentarily showing off his lower stomach. I wish I felt something but I just…don’t.

He pulls the blanket down while helping me sit up, then tugs his warm hoodie over my head, surrounding me with his scent. He kisses my forehead before I lay down and he covers me back up.

Ryder turns the TV on and finds a sports channel.

“This channel will play our game so you can watch us play.” He turns to face Lily. “Keep an eye on number two. He may be on defense, but I heard he has a killer slapshot. Already scored three goals this season,” he winks.

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