Stay With Me
A/U. Story title from the song "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith.
Sometimes what you want and need are one and the same. Finn wanted her. Finn needed her.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Songs are the property of the writers/singers. Glee characters are the property of Glee.
A/N. I have changed the rating to "M" due to Puck's language and sexually suggestive situations from here on, just to be safe. Thanks for reading.
Chapter 4
Finn was finishing up the afternoon "Skills and Drills" session on the field. It had been a long week of conditioning. After today, they would be free for 3 days. He had a free day tomorrow but was scheduled to work Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
Only the quarterbacks and a few of the centers were left on the field. He had noticed Puck limping off the field earlier, headed to the therapy room with Dr. Isaac. He had tweaked his back yesterday and was getting low back treatments daily. He had gone on and on about some hot little therapist that was treating his back.
Looking around, Finn saw the 2 new freshman quarterback recruits struggling with one of the drills they had learned today. He went over to help them finish their drills so they could head to the shower. He was tired and ready to head back to his apartment.
He loved it here in North Carolina. Winston-Salem was in the perfect location, midway between the beach and the mountains. Wake's campus was situated on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by trees, beautiful landscaping, parks with streams and walking trails. But, this time of the year, it was hot as hell.
He could be at the beach now, sunning and having fun with his friends, watching the ladies in their thin bikinis, drinking beer and partying. Or sometimes, they headed to the mountains for a week of canoeing, stream fishing, secluded cabins with backyard barbecues, pool parties and sex galore.
But no, he had decided he wanted to play professional football as his dream. So, here he was, sweating in this mid-summer heat, getting in shape to be pounded and slammed into the ground by 300lb linesmen.
Crazy? Yeah, but he loved it. Loved the thrill of evading those big monsters, throwing a last second touchdown pass to an eagerly awaiting receiver or handing it off and watching his running backs plow down the field. Yes. Made all of this worth it in the end.
After another half hour, the new guys finally came close to learning the drills and they headed into the building. Finn would check on Puck, shower and then head home. First, he needed to get something to drink and take a breather.
Sitting at a table in the breakroom, he sipped on his water. It had been 3 days since he had seen that girl again. He had been standing beside this very table when he felt someone watching him, a pull of some kind.
Looking out into the hallway, he had noticed her, a tiny, petite girl staring at him. She had the prettiest olive-colored skin, with long dark brown hair. Even with her hair tied up into a high ponytail, it looked shiny, silky and soft. Her eyes were huge, dark and piercing. Finn became lost in them. He couldn't blink, he couldn't look away...
Then the guys said something and she was gone. Did she just walk into that door? He grimaced, hoping she was okay. He saw her grab something out of the room, turn and walk swiftly back down the hall.
Since then, he had been in the weight room, on the field but had yet to see her again. Finn was determined to find that girl again if he had to search the entire building. Rising up, he headed toward the therapy room to check on Puck.
Puck was lying prone on the therapy table. Rachel was placing electrodes and wires to his lower back, adjusting the monitor to the level according to his treatment plan up on her computer screen. "Aw, Berry! What are you trying to do, fry me? Turn that damn thing down!" Puck yelled at Rachel.
"Oh, shut it, Noah. It was on this level yesterday. Stop being a baby and lie still," Rachel said, turning toward the heating unit. "You have 5 more minutes with the TENS then I'll massage it out and you can go".
"Can't we just skip to the massage, Shortstack? There's magic in those fingers of yours," Puck said, lifting his eyebrows.
"Don't even think it, Noah. Get that unrequited lustful look out of your eyes. I am a professional and even though I thank you for your honorable words of praise, I am not even addressing your lewd and repellent attempts at seducing me," Rachel said, eyeing him.
"Damn Shortstack. How do you use so many words when you could just say 'no'? You are hot, you know. Plus, those little mini shorts you wear doesn't help a guy keep his mind on other things. Why won't you go out with me?" Puck says, pleading.
"Because, how many times do I have to tell you, I'm not single. I have a wonderful boyfriend whom I have been with for 2 years and plan on marrying. Besides, though you are a handsome young man, you are just not my type".
"Yeah yeah yeah. The Doc. I know. So, got any fine friends..." Puck was interrupted by Rachel staring at the door.
He looked up at Rachel and saw her looking toward the door, frozen. Turning, Puck saw his best friend standing, staring at Rachel with his mouth open.
"My man, Hudson. Come to check on me or just to stare at my hot little therapist?" Rachel walked around to the other side of the table, clearing her throat.
"Noah, you are so crass". She reached down and pulled the wires, electrodes and all from Puck's back.
"Ouch! Ease up, Berry! I'll be good", Puck stated, looking over at a laughing Finn. "Finn, this is my little cutie, Rachel Berry. Rachel, this is my best friend and our quarterback, Finn Hudson".
Rachel wiped her hands on a towel and extended her right hand out to Finn. Finn stepped toward her extended hand, smiling and said, "Hi. Nice to meet you," shaking Rachel's hand. He noticed how well her small, soft hand fit into his.
"Amber", Rachel said out of the blue. Finn and Puck frowned, wondering if they had gotten her name wrong. Finn looked down at her name tag to be sure. Yep, says 'Rachel Berry, PT student trainer'.
Finn felt warmth throughout his body, starting at where his and Rachel's hands touched. She pulled back, blushing from the warmth and realizing she had said "amber" out loud.
She then turned toward Puck. Puck lifted his head, "What the heck are you talking about, Berry? Your middle name Amber or something?"
"No," she says, just above a whisper, "His eyes. His eyes are amber". Refocusing, she tells Puck to lay back down. "Time for your massage so we both can get out of here." Rachel goes to get her massage lotion and starts on Puck's lower back massage.
"Well, man," Finn says, changing the subject, "I'm heading for the shower. I'll see you back at the apartment." He opens the door and turns, "You okay by yourself?"
Puck is lying on the table with his eyes closed as Rachel continues his lower back massage. "Oh yeah. Once she finishes with her magic fingers, I'm good to go. I'll see you at home."
Rachel looks up and smiles at Finn. "Bye, Finn. Nice meeting you", she says shyly.
Finn turns, waves and says, "til next time. Bye Rachel". Then with a wink, he was gone.
Finn continued down the hall to the locker room, stripped and got into the shower. As the warm water relaxed his tired muscle, his mind wandered back to the petite brunette. Wow! Now he saw what Puck was talking about. He was glad for the opportunity to see her up close. Those large, chocolate eyes, smooth olive skin., long legs. How did she manage that anyway? She was such a short little thing.
And that butt in those micro shorts! He felt his heart rate picking up. He then looked down and noted that his heart wasn't the only thing affected by his thoughts of one Ms. Rachel Berry!
And she noticed the color of his eyes. Glad to make an impression on you, Ms. Rachel. Oh, boy. Thinking about Rachel too much Finn. Stop it! You have a girl. You have never cheated on her. The most that you and Rachel could be is friends, very very good friends. Stepping out of the shower, Finn dried off, put on fresh clothes and headed to his apartment.
Rachel walked toward her apartment after finishing her last class for the day. She would go to the hospital tomorrow for her last day at work and then she would have the weekend free. Free for some much needed rest. John had texted that he couldn't make dinner tonight but had the weekend free, also. Good. She and John needed some quality time together. They had both been so busy the last few weeks that they hardly had any time together.
That was why Rachel felt this strong attraction to Finn Hudson, she told herself. Yes. That was the reason. She missed John and Finn just happened to appear when she was so vulnerable. But why can't she get him out of her head?
That face, those dreamy eyes, those dimples, that smile, that body. Oh, heaven help me! But, she wouldn't mind being friends. Close, good friends with Finn. What harm could that cause?
Entering her apartment, she noticed Kayla on the couch talking on her cellphone. She held her finger up, indicating that she was finishing up on the phone. Rachel pointed toward her bedroom and headed in that direction.
She placed her gym bag in the corner and sat on the side of the bed. She placed her phone on her speaker/charging dock and laid down on her bed, closing her eyes and listening to the first song that came on. "You Don't Know Me", song by Michael Buble', starts playing. The lyrics jump out at Rachel:
You give your hand to me
And then you say, "Hello"
And I can hardly speak
My heart is beating so
And anyone can tell
Ahhh! Of all the songs,why? With her eyes closed, Rachel could only see Finn's face:
No, you don't know the one
Who dreams of you at night
And longs to kiss your lips
And longs to hold you tight
Oh I'm just a friend
That's all I've ever been
'Cause you don't know me
"Dammit!" Rachel yells in frustration, pushing stop on her phone just as Kayla walks into the room.
"Rachel? What's wrong?"
"What? Nothing's wrong," Rachel says, turning to look at her friend. "I'm,I'm... just exhausted. Long day." She sits up with her head against the headboard. "But, tomorrow's my last day at the hospital and then I have the weekend."
"Okaaay. If you are sure that's all," Kayla says, looking doubtful. She places her hand on Rachel's shoulder. "Listen Rachel, you know we have been friends a long time and you can talk with me about anything. I don't judge. Okay?"
"Yes," Rachel says, looking down, "I know. It's just...well..he,he..."
"He?" Kayla questions. "John? Or is it someone.."
"No, no," Rachel interrupts, "it's nothing, really. I'm just going to relax, probably take a short nap and I'll be fine".
"If you are sure, but I'm here, okay?" Kayla squeezes Rachel's shoulder reassuringly, rises and leaves the room.
Rachel turns and pushes play on her phone. Sliding down in bed, she pulls her duvet up and closes her eyes, Michael Buble's voice floating in the air as she drifts off to sleep, thinking about those damn amber eyes.