My note….here's chapter four. I wanted to give you a nice fluffy one now, because it's going to get pretty intense after this one. I don't want to spoil anything, but be prepared for creepy angst and heavy drama coming up.
HUNGRY EYES
CHAPTER 4: HOOK SHOT
"So, how's Jimmy doing today?", Ellie asked as she and Ashley cruised through the mall on Sunday afternoon.
Ashley shrugged and sighed heavily. "A little better", she answered unconvincingly as she picked some salt crystals off of her hot pretzel. "Doctor Kim said it was a pretty bad strain and he should take it easy for a few days…but you know Jimmy", Ashley paused and cringed as she pictured the huge purple bruise that covered most of Jimmy's left upper shoulder. "I practically had to sit on him yesterday…just to keep him in bed", she added lightheartedly.
Ellie tried hard to hold in the chuckles that were trying to escape from her mouth. "What's so funny?", Ashley asked incredulously.
"Do you realize what you just said?", she giggled in reply.
Ashley thought for a second and smiled slightly. "You know what I meant", she stated playfully and lightly smacked Ellie on the shoulder.
Ellie's grin grew wider. "Well at least I made you smile", she declared.
Ashley's smile grew, but also became slightly apologetic. "Yeah, I'm sorry I'm not really very good company right now El", she sighed. "I guess I'm just a little preoccupied".
Ellie nodded. "I understand Ash…you're worried about your boyfriend. Anyone would be", she replied insistently.
"It's not just that, though….", Ashley trailed off slightly and looked around the store they had wandered into. "Have you ever felt like you were being watched?", she asked, nervously biting her lip.
"News flash Ashley...we are", Ellie chuckled sarcastically as she pointed up at the security camera, mounted on the ceiling and took a huge bite of her pretzel. "Big brother always has his eye on us", she mumbled as she chewed.
Ashley rolled her eyes playfully. "Not like that El…..in a bigger sense".
Ellie stopped mid-chew and studied Ashley curiously and ruffled her brow in askance, "What do you mean Ash?".
Ashley chewed on her lower lip. "I know it probably sounds crazy, but it all started on Friday afternoon….when we were leaving the rec. center, while we were waiting to see his doctor, then when we went to pharmacy to get his prescriptions….even when we got to Antonio's to pick up our pizza", she explained, still noticeably uncomfortable. "It was really weird. I kept getting this feeling that we were being watched in some way...and it really didn't go away until I got Jimmy home and….".
"Ash, I don't mean to sound rude or anything….", Ellie cut into Ashley's rambling. "…but your boyfriend is in a wheelchair. Unfortunately, that in itself tends to turn some heads...not to mention the fact that his shoulder was wrapped up like an injured linebackers and his face looked like he was caught in the middle of a nasty bar brawl".
Ashley smiled in spite of herself. "I guess you're right", she resigned, but cautiously looked around again, unable to shake the feeling of being watched. "I'm probably just being paranoid".
"You've had stressful weekend, Ash", Ellie stated, taking Ashley by the arm. "So let's relax, have fun….and spend our parents money", she joked and picked up a lacey pink tank top, holding it out to Ashley. "Now this would look perfect on you".
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After spending the afternoon with Ellie, then stopping at Sqwatch Wear to finish the weeks paperwork, Ashley picked up an order of Chinese takeout and headed back over to Jimmy's house.
She used her key, knowing that Jimmy's parents had a business function to attend and wouldn't be home, and let herself in. "I thought you were supposed to be relaxing", Ashley playfully scolded when she walked in to find Jimmy propped up on the couch covered in papers and sketched from his play books.
"Believe me Ash, I can't get anymore relaxed", he grinned, craning his head back to look at her. Ashley stepped around the furniture and sat down on a the only unoccupied section of couch, next to Jimmy's hip. She looked at him skeptically, taking in to account the close proximity of his chair and the huge amount of work it seemed he had completed.
"I didn't transfer by myself", Jimmy defended before Ashley could even ask. "My dad helped me over here before they left...which was less than an hour ago", he emphasized the last part strongly, which assured her he was still in a comfortable position. "And all this...", he motioned to the papers across his lap. "...just some stuff I'm going over".
Ashley smiled at his admission and cocked her head to the side expectantly. Jimmy sighed. "Honestly, I followed the doctor's orders like a good little boy", he rolled his eyes as if he were annoyed, but they were actually shining. "I even took a nap".
Ashley giggled slightly and leaned in for a soft kiss, "Good".
"Yeah", Jimmy rolled his head from side to side, to work out some of the kinks. "But I swear, the pain meds my doc gave me are strong enough to put a horse down...I was out for almost four hours", he groaned in complaint, which made Ashley laugh even harder.
"Well, you probably needed the rest", she reiterated, pleased to hear he wasn't pushing himself too hard. "How is the shoulder?", she asked a second later when Jimmy began to shift slightly.
"Fine really", he answered simply, trying it out with a few shrugs. "A little sore and stiff, but that's probably because I'm not using it as much as I usually do".
Ashley nodded satisfactorily and turned her attention to the side of his face. "And your cheek?".
"It only hurts when you...touch it. OW!", Jimmy flinched as Ashley's fingers made contact.
"Sorry", she apologized sincerely, placing soft kisses down the other side of his face for forgiveness. "What can I do to make it up to you?".
Jimmy grinned wickedly and raised his brow. As if reading his dirty little mind, Ashley lightly smacked him across the chest and scoffed. "Feed me", he pleaded, glancing over at the take-out bag sitting on the coffee table with his huge, brown puppy-dog eyes.
"First I have to unbury you", she chuckled, and started stacking the papers that were laying on his lap into one neat pile on the coffee table.
Jimmy reached down to move his legs in preparation to transfer, but Ashley halted him with a palm to the chest. "What do you think you're doing?", she asked incredulously.
"Getting up to eat?", he answered questionably.
"No...we'll eat right here", she offered softly as she positioned another pillow behind his back.
"Ash?", Jimmy groaned in protest and rolled his eyes.
Ashley knew how Jimmy felt about being coddled, so she played down her concern. "It'll be fun...", she assured as she slid onto the floor and began pulling the cartons from the bag.
"So, whad' ya get?", Jimmy asked, smacking his lips hungrily.
Ashley gave Jimmy a huge smile, "Spicy Schezwan shrimp, that beef and noodle thing and sweet and sour chicken".
"All my favorites", he replied, gazing lovingly at Ashley for her thoughtfullness.
Jimmy caught Ashley by surprise when he grabbed her arm and pulled her up to his mouth. The kiss took precidence for some time, the food all but forgotten until Jimmy's stomach reminded them with a growl. Ashley broke away and giggled. "Okay, I guess it's time to eat..."
"What, no egg rolls?", Jimmy quipped playfully.
Ashley rolled her eyes and dug back into the bag, tossing a package of the fried treat to Jimmy. "How could I forget?", she asked incredulously from her place beside him. "Let me just get some drinks and we'll be all set".
"Already done", Jimmy stated, stopping her mid-rise. He motioned to the end table behind him and the ice bucket filled with chilling cans of pop and bottled water. "I didn't know what time you'd get here and my parents didn't want me to dehydrate while I was waiting, so...", he chuckled jokingly.
Ashley smirked as she grabbed the crumb filled plate next to the bucket and held it in front of Jimmy. She looked at him expectantly. "A snack", he defended innocently and Ashley dissolved into a fit of laughter.
After taking a few seconds to compose herself, Ashley stood up from her knees and looked down at the coffee table. "How're we gonna do this?", Jimmy asked, studying the five cartons, one set of chopsticks and no plates.
"I've got it", Ashley grinned. She moved the beverage bucket from the end table to the coffee table and pulled the coffee table as close to the couch as possible. Making sure everything was within Jimmy's reach, Ashley gently lifted his outstretched legs and slid to sit underneath, laying them across her lap.
"They're heavy Ash", Jimmy muttered softly, looking down at his legs.
"It's fine Jimmy", she assured him sincerely with a pat to his thigh. "But, you're gonna have to pass me the food", Ashley chuckled as she strained to reach over his knees.
Jimmy handed Ashley two cartons and the chopsticks then asked, "What do you want to drink?".
Ashley shrugged indifferently. "Whatever you're having...we'll share".
Jimmy popped open a soda can and offered it to Ashley, just as she held out the chopsticks to him. "Ash, what are you doing?", he scowled indignantly.
"You said to feed you...so, I'm feeding you", she declared with a twinkle of complete amusement in her eyes. Ashley smirked as she wiggled the food filled sticks near his mouth.
Jimmy sighed heavily and frowned in dissatisfaction...but opened his mouth anyway.
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"So what's for dessert?", Jimmy asked, arching his brow suggestively .
Ashley grabbed for the bag. "I think there's some cookies in...", she was starting to say, when Jimmy reached down and pulled her mostly on top of him. "Jimmy, your shoulder", she scolded, carefully trying to squirm from his grasp.
"Ash, I'm fine...really", he ensured, catching her lips with his. Ashley closed her eyes and allowed herself to get lost in the moment. She pushed hersrlf up higher and shifted against Jimmy's chest, distributing her weight a little more evenly. Their kisses became faster and more passionate as they writhed against each other.
Ashley caught Jimmy's right leg with her left as it began to slid off of the couch and entwined them with hers as she broke their union. "I really should move", she mumbled apprehensively, propping her head up on his chest. "I'm putting too much pressure on your...".
"Stay...please", Jimmy pleaded, pulling the couch cushion out and shifting Ashley slightly so she was wedged between his left side and the back of the couch. Ashley shot him and questioning look, but Jimmy just looped his left arm around her, so her head would be sitting in the crook of his arm and not on his sore shoulder.
"Comfortable?", she asked questionably.
Jimmy nodded affirmitively and smiled, "You?".
"Perfectly", Ashley purred and snuggled against him. Jimmy clicked on the television and surfed the channels for something good to watch.
"I almost forgot", Ashley gasped sometime later and reached for the takeout bag that had fallen to the floor earlier. "Dessert", she exclaimed excitedly as she pulled out a handful of fortune cookies.
Jimmy chuckled and picked one from the offered pile. He waited until Ashley chose hers before opening his. "What does yours say?", Ashley asked curiously.
"You first", he returned, straining to see what was printed on her slip of paper.
Ashley playfully clutched the slip to her chest and peek down to read it. "Ooooh", she cooed, looking symbolicly at Jimmy. "A secret admirer will soon send you a sign of affection".
Jimmy chuckled at this, earning him a confused glare from Ashley. "I guess I'm off the hook then...", he replied through his amusement. "...Marco and Paige already took care of that for me".
Ashley scoffed as if she were mad and put on her best mock pout as she snatched the paper from Jimmy's hand. "Your talents will be recognized and suitably rewarded", she read expressively.
Jimmy laughed again and took the slip to read it for himself. "I should bring this with me tomorrow and show it to the guys".
"Tomorrow?", Ashley sqwalked.
Jimmy nodded slowly, "Yeah, it's Monday Ash".
"You're not coaching tomorrow", she added insistently. "Remember...coach Armstrong is filling in for you. Your off until the doctor clears you on Tuesday...if he clears you on Tuesday?".
"No", Jimmy spat, pushing himself up a little straighter. "Nobody ever told me about...".
"Hey, don't hate the messenger", Ashley cut in, holding her hands up in surrender. "This is just what your dad...".
"My dad?", Jimmy echoed softly, anger starting to slowly course through him.
Ashley sat up on her knees and strattled his thighs. "Jimmy", she called soothingly, cupping his cheek in her hand and trying to get him to look at her. "We're all just concerned".
Jimmy shook his head in frustration. "Jim honey, did you take your pills?", Mrs. Brooks called out from the kitchen.
"No Mom...not yet", Jimmy answered through clenched teeth. Ashley tried hard not to smile at his stubbornness as she got up from his lap.
"Don't forget to take them before bed", she advised, meeting her husband in the doorway. "Dad and I are turning in".
Jimmy nodded indifferently. "Okay...night", his voice deep and clipped. They all waited expectantly, until Jimmy let out a defeated sigh and waived his father over to help with the transfer.
"Good night guys", Mr. Brooks addressed with a curtious smile.
Mrs. Brooks walked over to the couple. "Good night sweetie", she said, hugging Ashley, before moving over to Jimmy and kissing the top of his head. Her soft eyes met her sons, "If you need anything...".
"I know Mom, thanks", he interrupted softly. Mrs. Brooks nodded slightly as she smiled and walked away.
Jimmy looked up at Ashley. "I should be going too", she paused hesitantly when she saw the frown return to Jimmy's face. "I could spend the whole day tomorrow...if you want", she suggested timidly. Jimmy smirked and pulled Ashley onto his lap for a kiss. "How does nine sound?", she queried breathlessly.
"Eight's better", he replied slyly between kisses.
Ashley giggled and reluctantly slid off of his lap, "Eight thirty and I'll bring breakfast". Jimmy accepted her terms with a nod and followed Ashley to the door.
She stopped and turned to look at him, when he followed her onto the porch. "I just want to make sure you get to your car okay", he reasoned protectively. Ashley grinned and rolled her eyes.
Ashley wanted to make sure Jimmy didn't put any undue strain on his shoulder by following her down the ramp, then having to push back up it...so she gave him a lingering goodbye kiss, right outside the door. "Love you Ash", he declared tenderly before finally letting her go.
"Love you too", she called out as she slid into the drivers seat. "Get some rest".
Jimmy smiled and waved as Ashley backed out of the driveway. Turning, he pushed back into the house just as a car down the block flipped it's lights on and turned over it's engine...
Devon stuffed the rest of his cold cheeseburger into his mouth and wiped his hands on his pants, before putting his car in gear and heading off in the direction of the silver compact. He stayed at a comfortable distance, absently sipping on his watered-down soft drink as he rocked to the beat of the rap song coming from his car stereo.
The silver car he was trailing, turned down the now familiar street and came to rest in the driveway of 2418 Degrassi Place. The occupant slid from her seat and walked toward the front steps. She fingered through the mass of keychains to find the right key, when the door swung open and she was greeted by an attractive woman...obviously her mother. The two exchanged pleasant smiles and the door closed behind them.
Devon looked up as a light was switched on in the front upstairs bedroom...casting a soft pink glow from the curtains that hung on the windows. He sat patiently and stared up at that window for almost a half an hour before the light went out. Only then did he move to put his car back in drive, and head home.
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Okay, so not much going on here...just a really long chapter filled with some much needed JimAsh fluff...and a TON of kissing. A decent amout of action set for the next chapter, so stay tuned.
My sincere thanks to my wonderful reviewers...havocmangawip, lilfiftyfour and modernxxmyth...for your awesome comments. I'm so sorry if I diidn't personally reply to all of you. I've been so busy that I can hardly remember my own name ...but Kelley knows it, so if I really forget, I'll just PM her...lol.
Degrassi is not mine...but psycho Devon is. Any takers?