Chapter Two
It was all set up.
After promising that I'd change the living room back, I had wheeled him into his room.
Ranger was lying in bed now. His legs were stretched out in front of him, his head was resting on his pillow, his pain pills were within reach, his cast covered arm was elevated slightly and he looked pretty comfortable. I spent a few minutes lighting candles around the room and, after searching for a stereo and then remembering that he was against all things fun, I opted with humming a romantic song in my head while I turned and walked to his bedside.
I rubbed my hands together. Here it was. I'd ask him now.
"Ranger, I want a relationship."
Silence.
I squinted at his figure. Maybe he hadn't heard me. "Ranger, I want a relationship."
Still no answer.
I started to get nervous. Maybe I had been too forceful. "Please?"
Nothing.
I peered down at his face to see what was- My eyes widened. He was asleep! Damn it. He was tired already! I frowned. Stupid pills and their strong effect. I was just about to flick on the lights when I heard the sheets wrinkle.
"Stephanie?" He asked groggily, glancing around. "What's with the candles?"
I smiled and spun back around. "I wanted to ask you-" His phone ringing interrupted me and my shoulders slumped. "Ranger, I kinda wanted to ask you-"
"Can you turn the light on? I can't see who's calling."
I clenched my teeth. "Fine." I hissed, flicking the light switch up. While he answered whatever call was more important than speaking with me, I stood there with hands on hips, tapping my foot. I knew that damn thing would be trouble. I'd have to get it away from him again somehow. He flipped it closed after a few minutes and I immediately jumped on the chance to talk again. "Listen, I want to ask...uh..or tell you something."
"I've got a question for you too." I saw him smirk. "How's Morelli feel about this whole arrangement?"
The mood passed.
I narrowed my eyes dangerously at him, blew out all the candles and began to stomp out. He just HAD to bring Joe into this! He just HAD to mention him! I heard him ask me what was the matter but I didn't answer. I just stormed out, slamming the door on the way.
0o0o0o0o0o
"So? How'd it go?"
I gave Tank a glare and he blinked. I had the bright idea to tell Lula about what I planned and, whatever I told her, ultimately got back to the giant man. I was standing outside of the compound, in the parking lot, leaned against the building and Tank had popped his head around the corner only to meet my wrath.
"Your boss is a jackass."
"He said no, didn't he?"
I don't know what was more insulting. Tank not being the least bit surprised about the claimed statement or Ranger's earlier blatant indifference concerning me. "No." I strained out angrily. "He didn't say no. He didn't even give me a chance to talk! Just him and that damn phone. And then he had the nerve to bring Joe into it."
"Can you blame him?" I most certainly could. "I mean, you did date the guy for a while."
"Yeah but we're done now"
"Does Ranger know that?"
I thought about it. It should have been obvious. I wouldn't have offered to stay here if I still was dating Joe. As a matter of fact, my whole damn attitude should have taken Ranger by surprise. I wasn't the shy, coward of a woman I had been a few days ago. I was much more bold and confident. Or so I believed. "I didn't think I'd have to tell him."
Tank shrugged. "Every guy, no matter who or what they are, worries about an ex."
I gave him a questioning stare. "Do you worry about Lula's exes?"
"No." He stated seriously. "I've killed them all." Then he turned on his heel and walked away.
I watched him go with a shaky smile. I was only thirty five percent sure he was joking.
My mom called as soon as I stepped out of the elevator onto the seventh floor of the Rangeman building. "How's Ranger dear? Are you coming for dinner? You should invite him! It'd be fun!" Yadda...yadda...yadda...
I told her he was fine, that he couldn't move from bed and that I was sorry but I'd be staying in with him because I promised I'd take care of him. She said she understood, wished him well and that was that. Lula called me two steps after that, asking how it went. I told her I hadn't asked him yet, listened to her call me a scary cat and said I had to go.
Then, for pete's sake, Joe called. I put a hand to my eye to stop the twitch, put my phone on vibrate and marched back through the doors, pass the kitchen and into Ranger's bedroom.
"Ranger!" I shouted with conviction, putting hands on hips and closing my eyes. "I've got something to ask you and I'm going to ask you now!"
I waited for his response but all I got was light snoring.
He was sleeping again.
With a few choice curse words, a stomp of my foot and a scream, I exited with a red face. WHY! Why was it so hard to do this now! Was it the Gods! Were the Gods punishing me? Did they NOT want us to get together! WHAT!
I blew out a sigh and called Tank up to ask him if he'd bring Rex over. I'd be staying for a few days to 'look after' Ranger. Tank complied and I swear I could hear the amusement in his voice before he hung up.
A minute later, Connie called me. I thought about throwing the phone out the window, thought better of it and answered.
Vinnie was hounding her to hound me about picking up skips. Figures. I told her I'd be over there soon and hung up. Ranger was still sleeping when I peeked into his room so I wrote him a note that said I was going to work and to call me if he needed anything and then I was off.
"Did you ask him!"
I sighed heavily. Lula had told Connie, apparently. They were on me as soon as I walked through.
"Not yet." Before they could argue, I quickly changed the subject. "Uh...what FTAs need capturing?"
Connie waved that off. "Oh, none actually. That was just a ploy to get you here so I could get the scoop." She grabbed me by my arm and got into my face. "How could you didn't tell me you were going to start dating Ranger!"
Exasperation took over and my eye started to twitch dramatically. Ten minutes into the womens' clamoring about how Ranger and I would make such a 'fabulous couple', I thought I might have a heart attack and die.
Ironically, my phone didn't ring again, leaving me to suffer through their gossip.
