I was sitting in the car waiting for Jeff to come back with a couple
sandwiches from the truck stop we were at. We were driving home together
from Richmond, Virginia instead of taking a plane like everyone else.
Shane went home early due to a family problem and I told him I'd meet him
when I got home. Although, at the rate we were goin, it would be quite
sometime before that would happen. The clouds floated over the sun and
pulled my sunglasses on top of my head as Jeff ran out with a bag full of
stuff.
"I thought we had decided on a couple sandwiches and a bottle of soda. Not half the damn store," I said as he placed the full bag on my lap.
"We're gonna want some snacks, don't ya think?!" he asked as he put the car in gear.
"What'd ya get?" I asked as I rummaged through the bag.
"Just some survival things."
"Skittles? That's what you call survival food?" I asked pulling out a pound bag full of the colorful candy.
"They're MY survival food. I got you a snickers," he smiled as I pulled out the king sized candy bar.
"Has anyone told you that you're a God?"
"Ya know, I get that often," he laughed as he held out his hand. "Hand me one of the sandwiches?"
I smiled and gave him the bigger of the two. I started in on my own as he drove us down the highway. A few hours later, we were still on the road, but had started on the survival pack.
"Ya know, I'm really glad you got this stuff," I said chewing on a sour gummy worm.
"I thought you'd enjoy the stuff. Hand over some sour patch kids."
"How come we always have so much fun together? We've been stuck in this car for how many hours?"
"4."
"For four hours and this is still fun!"
"Have I told you lately, that I love you," Jeff sang. I laughed but joined in. "Have I told you, lately that I care?"
We started laughing uncontrollably because of our foolishness. "Hey, was that an amusement park?" I asked as we drove by a ferris wheel, Rolla coaster, and what looked to be what we called in Maine, the Apollo.
"Yeah, wanna stop?" he asked as he veered off to the right for the next exit.
"Can we?"
"I don't see why not," he replied giving off a playful smile. I let out a childish giggle as we headed back to the park. "Should you call Shane and tell him that you're here?"
"Why? He doesn't control me. I control me." Jeff intertwined his fingers with mine as we skipped off into the park.
"Rolla coaster?" we asked each other in unison. I laughed at him as we ran off towards the massive creation.
"Rolla coaster of Love. Rolla coaster. Oohh Oohh Oohh," we sang together. As we sang our song together we got situated in the seats. Jeff held my hand tightly as we started off around the track. When we had gone around and came back to where we started, I swallowed hard and Jeff let go of my hand.
"That was so fuckin awesome!" he exclaimed. I glared at him as he helped me out.
"Are you fuckin nuts?!" I yelled hitting his shoulder.
"Why?" he laughed.
"That was crazy! Dude, that shit was scary!"
"Yeah, I know. It rocked, didn't it?"
"You are one bizarre man," I said shaking my head and walking away.
"You were screamin like a little girl out there," he laughed running after me.
"Oh gee, I didn't realize that Jeff. Thanks for informing me!" I said sarcastically.
"It was rather funny."
"To you maybe! I was scared outta my mind!" I said turning to face him.
"I know, my hand is still achin," he smiled rubbing his hand that I had been holding tightly.
"Oh, I'm sooooo sorry! Here, let me kiss it and make it better," I said grabbing his hand and bringing it up to my mouth. I opened my mouth wide and bit down on his hand. He ripped it out of my mouth as I stood there with my arms crossed.
"What the fuck was that?!" he yelled. He looked down at the bite marks then back at me. "You bit me?!"
"Yeah! You fuckin pissed me off!"
"How?"
"By makin fun of me dipshit," I yelled as I walked towards the exit.
"Oh," he said softly. I walked out of his sight and waited in the car. I rolled the window down and blared some Disturbed. About a half hour later, Jeff walked towards the car with some blue and purple cotton candy in his hand. He smiled at me as he put it through the window and in front of my face. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah, me too," I smiled as I took a bite of the sugary food. He walked around to the driver's seat and we were back on the road for home.
"That trip was fun, wasn't it?" Jeff joked.
"Yeah, so totally a lot of fun. I've never had so much fun."
"Hey now. Enough with the sarcasm. This was supposed to be a fun trip, babes. Now, get happy!" he ordered. I looked over at him and laughed.
"So you think you can just order me to be happy? Just like that?" I asked snapping my fingers.
"You bet your britches."
"Britches?"
"Yeah, ya know? Pants?"
"I know what the hell they are! What the hell made you say it?"
"I dunno. Just thought I would."
"Freak."
"Weirdo."
"Massive bizzaro."
"Okay, that's not even a damn word!"
"Doesn't mean I can't say it."
"Sweetie, it's not a word."
"Fine.....you're massively......stupid!"
"Oh, good come back!" he laughed. I growled at him as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"You just like pickin on me today, dontcha?" I said.
"Well, an older brother does have the right to do that once in awhile to his younger sister."
"I'll remember this Hardy. Trust me, it's totally engraved in my mind!"
"I'm sure it is. Cause like an elephant, you never forget!"
"Are you sayin that I'm forgetful?"
"NOOOOO! Where would you get an idea like that?!" Jeff asked.
"Yeah, okay, jackass," I muttered.
"Casey, are you okay?" he asked glancing over at me.
"I don't know. I'm just not feelin too well lately. I haven't been able to sleep well and I'm like puking every nite. I don't know what's wrong with me."
"Maybe you're getting sick. Are you too cold, too hot, too anything?" he asked putting his hand up to my forehead.
"Nope. None of them," I said shaking his hand away.
"Hmmmm......I don't know Case. And I know you're not gonna like what I'm gonna suggest, but maybe you should go see a doctor."
"You're right, I don't like your suggestion."
"Well, sometimes you have to do things you don't like, especially when something could affect your job," he said thoughtfully.
"Maybe that ladder to my stomach last Monday nite in the hardcore title match did something."
"Maybe. Ya know, I still can't believe you have that belt. Almost two months babe. That's one of the hard belts to keep."
"It's not that hard anymore. No 24/7 rule. It's not like it used to be."
"But still. It's really dangerous. But you definitely deserve it."
"Thanks, but so do you."
"No, not really. Not anymore. My body just hurts too much for this."
"Yeah, I know. Probably the belt wouldn't be a good thing to have right now."
"Actually, I wasn't just talkin bout the belt."
"Jeff, what are you talkin bout?"
"Sweetie, my body just can't handle those swantons anymore. I just did too much shit to my body when I first got in the business."
"What are you sayin?"
"I don't think there's much left in Jeff Hardy."
"Are you gonna quit?"
"I'm gonna see how long I can push my body. And then when I can't push it anymore, yes. I'm gonna move onto my music."
"Oh," I said softly with sadness in my tone.
"Sorry."
"For what?" I wondered as I wiped the few tears off my cheeks that had fallen.
"For upsetting you, for teasing you, just for anything stupid I may have done to you."
"Don't worry about it." I sniffled as I leaned back in my seat and looked out the window.
"Don't cry over this. It's not like I'm never gonna see you or anything."
"I know, but it'll just be so weird if you're not there with me. Ya know?"
"Well, we don't have to worry about this for a little while anyways. I don't plan to leave right now. We'll talk about this in another year or so."
I sighed before falling asleep for the rest of the trip. I couldn't believe that Jeff could be leaving me sometime in the near future. I knew his body was getting worse and worse as time went on, but I didn't think it was that bad. And I guess in away I thought of him as invincible. He's the mighty, wild, crazy, sometimes bizarre, Jeff Hardy. Nothing could hurt him. The man jumped off of ladders for a living and lived through it. There for nothing could hurt him, right? Guess I was wrong.
"Bout damn time you two got home!" Amy exclaimed as she, Matt, and Gil helped us carry our luggage into the house. "We were getting worried."
"We went to an amusement park," I said softly as I began to feel sick.
"Shane called, he's very upset and worried. If I were you I'd," Matt started before I ran into the bathroom. "Okay........never mind."
"Jeff, what's wrong with her?" Gil asked.
"Couldn't really tell ya. She was just telling me that she hasn't been feelin well, she hasn't been sleepin well, and she's been like throwin up everynite. We think it might have been from the ladder shot to the stomach she received last Monday nite," he answered as he knocked lightly on the bathroom door.
"Grrrr......" I said as I looked up to see him walk in.
"Are you alright?" he asked sitting next to me on the floor. He handed me a tissue so I could wipe my face.
"No. I feel completely horrible," I groaned as he put his arm around me. I rested my head on his shoulder as Amy peeked her head in.
"I thought I'd give you the phone to call Shane," she said with a smile as she handed it to me. I nodded at her as she kissed my forehead and left.
"Hello?" Shane answered sounding as if he had been sleeping on the phone.
"Hey, just me."
"You're home? Safe and sound?" he asked quickly.
"Yeah, I guess."
"What's the matter, baby?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it."
"As your boyfriend, it's my job to worry."
"Trust me. It's okay, I'll be fine," I said smiling up at Jeff. "How's Michael?"
"He's okay. Just a little fender bender type deal. He just got a bump on the head and a minor concussion. He's at home bein spoiled by his girlfriend."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"What about me comin over and spoiling you?" he asked changing the tone of his voice. His voice was husky sounding. I knew he was thinking about sex. And I just had to laugh.
"I don't think that right now is a good time, Sugar."
"Okay. Well, what about you comin over here and spoiling me?!" he asked hopefully.
"I'm kinda tired right now. I don't think I could drive over there honey. I'm sorry," I said rather upset.
"Don't worry about it. I can come pick you up. Please? I really want to be with you."
"Yeah, okay. I suppose we could do that," I smiled at his giddiness.
"Great! Be over soon!"
"I love you Shane."
"I love you too honey. With all my heart." I smiled as I hung up the phone.
"Leavin?" Jeff asked as I placed my head back on his shoulder.
"Yeah, Shane's comin to get me."
"That's good. I'm glad to hear it." He sighed as he put his other hand on my leg. "Case, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Do you honestly and truly love Shane?"
"Yeah, of course I do."
"Are you gonna marry him?"
"I don't know. Maybe eventually."
"Do you see yourself with him for the rest of your life?"
"I think so. Why?"
"Just wonderin. Just needed some answers for myself."
"Okay," I muttered as we continued to sit there in the bathroom.
"Casey! Shane's here!" Matt yelled. I lifted my head and stretched. I looked over at Jeff and he was sound asleep. I smiled and placed a light kiss on his cheek. He slowly opened his eyes and smiled at me.
"Sorry, didn't mean to fall asleep on you in the bathroom."
"That's okay, no problem," he replied as I helped him stand. "Do you feel better?"
"I don't know. My stomach still isn't happy, but I'm not puking or anything. So I guess that's a plus." I walked into my room and saw Shane sitting on the edge of my bed with a large smile on his face. "Hey baby." I walked towards him and wrapped my arms around his neck, lowering myself on his lap.
"Hey," he said casually as I gave him a kiss. "Ready?"
"Actually, I have to pack. I fell asleep."
"In the bathroom?" he said unsure.
"Yeah, don't ask," I laughed shaking my head slowly.
"Alright, let's get you packed then," he smiled as I got off his lap. I threw some things in a bag while he sat on my bed watching me. I was standing at my dresser and put on one of my rings as he walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Do you wear that ring anymore?"
"My class ring?" I asked holding it up to him.
"Yeah."
"No, not anymore. Why?"
"Can I have it?"
"Huh?"
"Can I have your class ring? I want something to keep of yours for when I can't be with you and I can look at it and think of you."
"That's sweet. But what are you gonna do with it? Put it on a chain?"
"No. I'm gonna put it on my pinkie."
"You are one weird man," I laughed as I handed it to him. "You do realize that this means I get something of yours, right?"
"Of course," he smiled as he slid the ring on his finger. He kissed my cheek and let me go. I took his hand in mine and we walked out to his car.
"Shane, do you still wanna marry me?" I asked out of the blue in the car. The question must have shocked him cause he seemed to veer off the road then jump right back on.
"Yeah, of course. Why?" he asked swallowing hard.
"I don't know. I was just wondering, I guess."
"I just haven't asked you cause I didn't think you were ready yet. I don't think I could handle bein shot down again," he joked.
"I know, and I'm sorry about all those times."
"Don't be. I totally understand. That's why I haven't done it again."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For not asking me. Cause to be honest with you, I'm not ready yet."
Shane looked over at me and smiled as he put his hand on mine. "I have to ask, why the hell were you asleep in the bathroom?!"
"I was sick," I said quietly almost so he couldn't hear me.
"What do you mean sick?" he worried.
"Nothing. Never mind. I don't feel like goin through it right now."
"Fine, whatever," he said letting is slip. I looked at the window and up at the sky, looking at the stars. I sighed as the full moon came into view.
"Shane, when we get to your house, can we just grab some blankets and go outside to look at the stars?" I asked.
"Sure, anything you want sweetie," he replied squeezing my hand gently.
I laid down next to Shane on the blanket we had laid out on the hill behind his house. I looked up at the stars and smiled. "They're so beautiful."
"Yeah they are. I wish I could grab one for you."
"Why?"
"Because they'd match your beauty so well. And you deserve to have the most beautiful things in the world."
"So charming, you are Mr. Helms."
"I do what I can," he shrugged.
"I love you so much."
"I love you too."
"Why?" I asked.
"Why do I love you?"
"Yeah. Why? What reasons do you have for loving me?"
"Casey, you're so beautiful, unique, loving, sweet, genuine, kind. What's not to love about you. I love your accent mixture of New Yorker and now southerner. I love your bright blue eyes and how they change color when you're happy or sad. I love your outlook on the world. I love your creativity. I love how spontaneous and crazy you can be. I love how you have no fear. But mostly, I just love you."
"Shane, I have so many fears. You don't even understand how many fears I have."
"Like what?"
"I'm afraid my mom's gonna come to take me back. I'm afraid of losing Jeff. I'm afraid that I'm gonna get attacked again. I'm afraid.......I'm afraid of losing you," I said tearfully.
"You don't have to be afraid of that. You'll never lose me."
"Because you love me?"
"Right. Exactly.
I sighed and continued to stare at the stars. About an hour later we decided to go up to his room and watch some tv. I laid under the covers in one of his t-shirts and a pair of shorts. I was watchin a repeat of the Real World and was rather bored when he walked into the room with a bowl of popcorn.
"Is that what you want of mine?" he asked looking down at the Green Lantern t-shirt I was wearing.
"Is that okay?" I asked popping a piece of popcorn in my mouth.
"Yeah, of course. Just makin sure so I don't go around lookin for it one day," he laughed. I nodded and moved my body into his. I rested my head on his bare chest and closed my eyes.
"God send me an angel. From the heavens above. Send me an angel to heal my broken heart. From being in love. 'Cause all I do is cry. God send me an angel. To wipe the tears from my eyes," I sang.
"That's beautiful baby."
"Amanda Perez."
"She doesn't hold a candle to you," he smiled as he kissed the top of my head.
"Ya know, I always asked for an angel."
"Me too baby. And I got one.
"Yeah, so did I," I smiled as I fell asleep.
In the middle of the nite, I woke up with a sharp pain in my stomach. I quickly, but carefully, stood up and walked around Shane's bedroom. I grabbed at my stomach and took a few deep breaths.
"Case, what's the matter?" Shane asked as he sat up.
"Nothing, go back to sleep."
"What's wrong? You look as if you're in pain," he said as he reached for the lamp on his nitestand.
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not. What's wrong with your stomach?" he asked as he walked towards me.
"I don't know," I said wincing in pain.
"Oh Jesus. Come on, sit down," he said leading me to the bed.
"No, I think that'll make things worse right now," I said.
"Is this from the ladder shot Monday nite?" he asked rubbing my shoulders gently.
"I think so. I think I might have bruised some ribs again," I said.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?! You should have gone to the hospital to make sure they were broken."
"They're not. It's not that much pain."
"Is this why you wore a long shirt at the house show Wednesday nite?"
"Yeah, to hide the bruise. I think the pain was makin me sick. And I haven't been able to sleep because of it, so that was makin me sick."
"Why can't you sleep?"
"Ya know how I like to sleep on my stomach or curled in a little ball."
"Oh, true. How'd you get through that match?"
"Lots of advil," I answered as I let out one last deep breath.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I think it's done for the time being."
"Try and go back to sleep?"
"Yeah," I replied as I got back in the bed. "Sorry for waking you."
"Don't worry about it. Sleep well baby."
A/N: The song in this chapter is by Amanda Perez called "Angel". I personally think it's an awesome song. Oh and I just wanna say that Theory of a Deadman kick ass! Okay, I'm done now. Hope ya'll enjoyed this chapter.........there's only a few more to go!
"I thought we had decided on a couple sandwiches and a bottle of soda. Not half the damn store," I said as he placed the full bag on my lap.
"We're gonna want some snacks, don't ya think?!" he asked as he put the car in gear.
"What'd ya get?" I asked as I rummaged through the bag.
"Just some survival things."
"Skittles? That's what you call survival food?" I asked pulling out a pound bag full of the colorful candy.
"They're MY survival food. I got you a snickers," he smiled as I pulled out the king sized candy bar.
"Has anyone told you that you're a God?"
"Ya know, I get that often," he laughed as he held out his hand. "Hand me one of the sandwiches?"
I smiled and gave him the bigger of the two. I started in on my own as he drove us down the highway. A few hours later, we were still on the road, but had started on the survival pack.
"Ya know, I'm really glad you got this stuff," I said chewing on a sour gummy worm.
"I thought you'd enjoy the stuff. Hand over some sour patch kids."
"How come we always have so much fun together? We've been stuck in this car for how many hours?"
"4."
"For four hours and this is still fun!"
"Have I told you lately, that I love you," Jeff sang. I laughed but joined in. "Have I told you, lately that I care?"
We started laughing uncontrollably because of our foolishness. "Hey, was that an amusement park?" I asked as we drove by a ferris wheel, Rolla coaster, and what looked to be what we called in Maine, the Apollo.
"Yeah, wanna stop?" he asked as he veered off to the right for the next exit.
"Can we?"
"I don't see why not," he replied giving off a playful smile. I let out a childish giggle as we headed back to the park. "Should you call Shane and tell him that you're here?"
"Why? He doesn't control me. I control me." Jeff intertwined his fingers with mine as we skipped off into the park.
"Rolla coaster?" we asked each other in unison. I laughed at him as we ran off towards the massive creation.
"Rolla coaster of Love. Rolla coaster. Oohh Oohh Oohh," we sang together. As we sang our song together we got situated in the seats. Jeff held my hand tightly as we started off around the track. When we had gone around and came back to where we started, I swallowed hard and Jeff let go of my hand.
"That was so fuckin awesome!" he exclaimed. I glared at him as he helped me out.
"Are you fuckin nuts?!" I yelled hitting his shoulder.
"Why?" he laughed.
"That was crazy! Dude, that shit was scary!"
"Yeah, I know. It rocked, didn't it?"
"You are one bizarre man," I said shaking my head and walking away.
"You were screamin like a little girl out there," he laughed running after me.
"Oh gee, I didn't realize that Jeff. Thanks for informing me!" I said sarcastically.
"It was rather funny."
"To you maybe! I was scared outta my mind!" I said turning to face him.
"I know, my hand is still achin," he smiled rubbing his hand that I had been holding tightly.
"Oh, I'm sooooo sorry! Here, let me kiss it and make it better," I said grabbing his hand and bringing it up to my mouth. I opened my mouth wide and bit down on his hand. He ripped it out of my mouth as I stood there with my arms crossed.
"What the fuck was that?!" he yelled. He looked down at the bite marks then back at me. "You bit me?!"
"Yeah! You fuckin pissed me off!"
"How?"
"By makin fun of me dipshit," I yelled as I walked towards the exit.
"Oh," he said softly. I walked out of his sight and waited in the car. I rolled the window down and blared some Disturbed. About a half hour later, Jeff walked towards the car with some blue and purple cotton candy in his hand. He smiled at me as he put it through the window and in front of my face. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah, me too," I smiled as I took a bite of the sugary food. He walked around to the driver's seat and we were back on the road for home.
"That trip was fun, wasn't it?" Jeff joked.
"Yeah, so totally a lot of fun. I've never had so much fun."
"Hey now. Enough with the sarcasm. This was supposed to be a fun trip, babes. Now, get happy!" he ordered. I looked over at him and laughed.
"So you think you can just order me to be happy? Just like that?" I asked snapping my fingers.
"You bet your britches."
"Britches?"
"Yeah, ya know? Pants?"
"I know what the hell they are! What the hell made you say it?"
"I dunno. Just thought I would."
"Freak."
"Weirdo."
"Massive bizzaro."
"Okay, that's not even a damn word!"
"Doesn't mean I can't say it."
"Sweetie, it's not a word."
"Fine.....you're massively......stupid!"
"Oh, good come back!" he laughed. I growled at him as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"You just like pickin on me today, dontcha?" I said.
"Well, an older brother does have the right to do that once in awhile to his younger sister."
"I'll remember this Hardy. Trust me, it's totally engraved in my mind!"
"I'm sure it is. Cause like an elephant, you never forget!"
"Are you sayin that I'm forgetful?"
"NOOOOO! Where would you get an idea like that?!" Jeff asked.
"Yeah, okay, jackass," I muttered.
"Casey, are you okay?" he asked glancing over at me.
"I don't know. I'm just not feelin too well lately. I haven't been able to sleep well and I'm like puking every nite. I don't know what's wrong with me."
"Maybe you're getting sick. Are you too cold, too hot, too anything?" he asked putting his hand up to my forehead.
"Nope. None of them," I said shaking his hand away.
"Hmmmm......I don't know Case. And I know you're not gonna like what I'm gonna suggest, but maybe you should go see a doctor."
"You're right, I don't like your suggestion."
"Well, sometimes you have to do things you don't like, especially when something could affect your job," he said thoughtfully.
"Maybe that ladder to my stomach last Monday nite in the hardcore title match did something."
"Maybe. Ya know, I still can't believe you have that belt. Almost two months babe. That's one of the hard belts to keep."
"It's not that hard anymore. No 24/7 rule. It's not like it used to be."
"But still. It's really dangerous. But you definitely deserve it."
"Thanks, but so do you."
"No, not really. Not anymore. My body just hurts too much for this."
"Yeah, I know. Probably the belt wouldn't be a good thing to have right now."
"Actually, I wasn't just talkin bout the belt."
"Jeff, what are you talkin bout?"
"Sweetie, my body just can't handle those swantons anymore. I just did too much shit to my body when I first got in the business."
"What are you sayin?"
"I don't think there's much left in Jeff Hardy."
"Are you gonna quit?"
"I'm gonna see how long I can push my body. And then when I can't push it anymore, yes. I'm gonna move onto my music."
"Oh," I said softly with sadness in my tone.
"Sorry."
"For what?" I wondered as I wiped the few tears off my cheeks that had fallen.
"For upsetting you, for teasing you, just for anything stupid I may have done to you."
"Don't worry about it." I sniffled as I leaned back in my seat and looked out the window.
"Don't cry over this. It's not like I'm never gonna see you or anything."
"I know, but it'll just be so weird if you're not there with me. Ya know?"
"Well, we don't have to worry about this for a little while anyways. I don't plan to leave right now. We'll talk about this in another year or so."
I sighed before falling asleep for the rest of the trip. I couldn't believe that Jeff could be leaving me sometime in the near future. I knew his body was getting worse and worse as time went on, but I didn't think it was that bad. And I guess in away I thought of him as invincible. He's the mighty, wild, crazy, sometimes bizarre, Jeff Hardy. Nothing could hurt him. The man jumped off of ladders for a living and lived through it. There for nothing could hurt him, right? Guess I was wrong.
"Bout damn time you two got home!" Amy exclaimed as she, Matt, and Gil helped us carry our luggage into the house. "We were getting worried."
"We went to an amusement park," I said softly as I began to feel sick.
"Shane called, he's very upset and worried. If I were you I'd," Matt started before I ran into the bathroom. "Okay........never mind."
"Jeff, what's wrong with her?" Gil asked.
"Couldn't really tell ya. She was just telling me that she hasn't been feelin well, she hasn't been sleepin well, and she's been like throwin up everynite. We think it might have been from the ladder shot to the stomach she received last Monday nite," he answered as he knocked lightly on the bathroom door.
"Grrrr......" I said as I looked up to see him walk in.
"Are you alright?" he asked sitting next to me on the floor. He handed me a tissue so I could wipe my face.
"No. I feel completely horrible," I groaned as he put his arm around me. I rested my head on his shoulder as Amy peeked her head in.
"I thought I'd give you the phone to call Shane," she said with a smile as she handed it to me. I nodded at her as she kissed my forehead and left.
"Hello?" Shane answered sounding as if he had been sleeping on the phone.
"Hey, just me."
"You're home? Safe and sound?" he asked quickly.
"Yeah, I guess."
"What's the matter, baby?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it."
"As your boyfriend, it's my job to worry."
"Trust me. It's okay, I'll be fine," I said smiling up at Jeff. "How's Michael?"
"He's okay. Just a little fender bender type deal. He just got a bump on the head and a minor concussion. He's at home bein spoiled by his girlfriend."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"What about me comin over and spoiling you?" he asked changing the tone of his voice. His voice was husky sounding. I knew he was thinking about sex. And I just had to laugh.
"I don't think that right now is a good time, Sugar."
"Okay. Well, what about you comin over here and spoiling me?!" he asked hopefully.
"I'm kinda tired right now. I don't think I could drive over there honey. I'm sorry," I said rather upset.
"Don't worry about it. I can come pick you up. Please? I really want to be with you."
"Yeah, okay. I suppose we could do that," I smiled at his giddiness.
"Great! Be over soon!"
"I love you Shane."
"I love you too honey. With all my heart." I smiled as I hung up the phone.
"Leavin?" Jeff asked as I placed my head back on his shoulder.
"Yeah, Shane's comin to get me."
"That's good. I'm glad to hear it." He sighed as he put his other hand on my leg. "Case, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Do you honestly and truly love Shane?"
"Yeah, of course I do."
"Are you gonna marry him?"
"I don't know. Maybe eventually."
"Do you see yourself with him for the rest of your life?"
"I think so. Why?"
"Just wonderin. Just needed some answers for myself."
"Okay," I muttered as we continued to sit there in the bathroom.
"Casey! Shane's here!" Matt yelled. I lifted my head and stretched. I looked over at Jeff and he was sound asleep. I smiled and placed a light kiss on his cheek. He slowly opened his eyes and smiled at me.
"Sorry, didn't mean to fall asleep on you in the bathroom."
"That's okay, no problem," he replied as I helped him stand. "Do you feel better?"
"I don't know. My stomach still isn't happy, but I'm not puking or anything. So I guess that's a plus." I walked into my room and saw Shane sitting on the edge of my bed with a large smile on his face. "Hey baby." I walked towards him and wrapped my arms around his neck, lowering myself on his lap.
"Hey," he said casually as I gave him a kiss. "Ready?"
"Actually, I have to pack. I fell asleep."
"In the bathroom?" he said unsure.
"Yeah, don't ask," I laughed shaking my head slowly.
"Alright, let's get you packed then," he smiled as I got off his lap. I threw some things in a bag while he sat on my bed watching me. I was standing at my dresser and put on one of my rings as he walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Do you wear that ring anymore?"
"My class ring?" I asked holding it up to him.
"Yeah."
"No, not anymore. Why?"
"Can I have it?"
"Huh?"
"Can I have your class ring? I want something to keep of yours for when I can't be with you and I can look at it and think of you."
"That's sweet. But what are you gonna do with it? Put it on a chain?"
"No. I'm gonna put it on my pinkie."
"You are one weird man," I laughed as I handed it to him. "You do realize that this means I get something of yours, right?"
"Of course," he smiled as he slid the ring on his finger. He kissed my cheek and let me go. I took his hand in mine and we walked out to his car.
"Shane, do you still wanna marry me?" I asked out of the blue in the car. The question must have shocked him cause he seemed to veer off the road then jump right back on.
"Yeah, of course. Why?" he asked swallowing hard.
"I don't know. I was just wondering, I guess."
"I just haven't asked you cause I didn't think you were ready yet. I don't think I could handle bein shot down again," he joked.
"I know, and I'm sorry about all those times."
"Don't be. I totally understand. That's why I haven't done it again."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For not asking me. Cause to be honest with you, I'm not ready yet."
Shane looked over at me and smiled as he put his hand on mine. "I have to ask, why the hell were you asleep in the bathroom?!"
"I was sick," I said quietly almost so he couldn't hear me.
"What do you mean sick?" he worried.
"Nothing. Never mind. I don't feel like goin through it right now."
"Fine, whatever," he said letting is slip. I looked at the window and up at the sky, looking at the stars. I sighed as the full moon came into view.
"Shane, when we get to your house, can we just grab some blankets and go outside to look at the stars?" I asked.
"Sure, anything you want sweetie," he replied squeezing my hand gently.
I laid down next to Shane on the blanket we had laid out on the hill behind his house. I looked up at the stars and smiled. "They're so beautiful."
"Yeah they are. I wish I could grab one for you."
"Why?"
"Because they'd match your beauty so well. And you deserve to have the most beautiful things in the world."
"So charming, you are Mr. Helms."
"I do what I can," he shrugged.
"I love you so much."
"I love you too."
"Why?" I asked.
"Why do I love you?"
"Yeah. Why? What reasons do you have for loving me?"
"Casey, you're so beautiful, unique, loving, sweet, genuine, kind. What's not to love about you. I love your accent mixture of New Yorker and now southerner. I love your bright blue eyes and how they change color when you're happy or sad. I love your outlook on the world. I love your creativity. I love how spontaneous and crazy you can be. I love how you have no fear. But mostly, I just love you."
"Shane, I have so many fears. You don't even understand how many fears I have."
"Like what?"
"I'm afraid my mom's gonna come to take me back. I'm afraid of losing Jeff. I'm afraid that I'm gonna get attacked again. I'm afraid.......I'm afraid of losing you," I said tearfully.
"You don't have to be afraid of that. You'll never lose me."
"Because you love me?"
"Right. Exactly.
I sighed and continued to stare at the stars. About an hour later we decided to go up to his room and watch some tv. I laid under the covers in one of his t-shirts and a pair of shorts. I was watchin a repeat of the Real World and was rather bored when he walked into the room with a bowl of popcorn.
"Is that what you want of mine?" he asked looking down at the Green Lantern t-shirt I was wearing.
"Is that okay?" I asked popping a piece of popcorn in my mouth.
"Yeah, of course. Just makin sure so I don't go around lookin for it one day," he laughed. I nodded and moved my body into his. I rested my head on his bare chest and closed my eyes.
"God send me an angel. From the heavens above. Send me an angel to heal my broken heart. From being in love. 'Cause all I do is cry. God send me an angel. To wipe the tears from my eyes," I sang.
"That's beautiful baby."
"Amanda Perez."
"She doesn't hold a candle to you," he smiled as he kissed the top of my head.
"Ya know, I always asked for an angel."
"Me too baby. And I got one.
"Yeah, so did I," I smiled as I fell asleep.
In the middle of the nite, I woke up with a sharp pain in my stomach. I quickly, but carefully, stood up and walked around Shane's bedroom. I grabbed at my stomach and took a few deep breaths.
"Case, what's the matter?" Shane asked as he sat up.
"Nothing, go back to sleep."
"What's wrong? You look as if you're in pain," he said as he reached for the lamp on his nitestand.
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not. What's wrong with your stomach?" he asked as he walked towards me.
"I don't know," I said wincing in pain.
"Oh Jesus. Come on, sit down," he said leading me to the bed.
"No, I think that'll make things worse right now," I said.
"Is this from the ladder shot Monday nite?" he asked rubbing my shoulders gently.
"I think so. I think I might have bruised some ribs again," I said.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?! You should have gone to the hospital to make sure they were broken."
"They're not. It's not that much pain."
"Is this why you wore a long shirt at the house show Wednesday nite?"
"Yeah, to hide the bruise. I think the pain was makin me sick. And I haven't been able to sleep because of it, so that was makin me sick."
"Why can't you sleep?"
"Ya know how I like to sleep on my stomach or curled in a little ball."
"Oh, true. How'd you get through that match?"
"Lots of advil," I answered as I let out one last deep breath.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I think it's done for the time being."
"Try and go back to sleep?"
"Yeah," I replied as I got back in the bed. "Sorry for waking you."
"Don't worry about it. Sleep well baby."
A/N: The song in this chapter is by Amanda Perez called "Angel". I personally think it's an awesome song. Oh and I just wanna say that Theory of a Deadman kick ass! Okay, I'm done now. Hope ya'll enjoyed this chapter.........there's only a few more to go!