AN: Okay. So this isn't the end I was planning, but it's closer. There'll be at least one more chapter, I have to try and resolve all this drama for my poor Newpsies. Don't blame me for stretching out the drama, blame 1) Saint Patrick for making a holiday all about drinking 2) Pearl Vodka, it comes in a pretty bottle but tastes like ass and 3) Ryan Adams for doing that damned remake of "Wonderwall" that was on repeat last night and inspired all this.
*****Part Four *****
"You are calm and reposed.
Let your beauty unfold.
Pale white, like the skin stretched over your bones.
Spring keeps you ever close…"
--Brand New
Ryan wakes up and is disoriented for a moment as his eyes adjust to the darkened room. When he sits up he realizes that he's alone in bed and the only light in the room is from the hallway. It takes a second for the pain to slam into him and he lies back down.
"He's been asleep so long, are you sure we shouldn't wake him?" Seth's voice drifts in from the hall. "He should eat something…"
Ryan sits up again, slower this time. He painstakingly gets to his feet.
"He ate this morning, he might need sleep more right now…" Kirsten is saying.
"Hey," Ryan says, stepping out. He holds the doorjamb for support.
"God, dude, did we wake you?" Seth asks.
"Nah. Can I get a shower?" Ryan asks.
"Of course. I'll go make sure there're towels," Kirsten says immediately.
Seth is quiet as they stand in the hallway.
"Dude, can you help me?" Ryan holds up his arms. "There's some clips holding this fucker on."
"Not a fan of the ace bandage?" Seth smiles, unfastening the clips. The wrap expands and Ryan takes a ragged breath.
"God, that's great," Ryan says.
"Spin," Seth says. Ryan turns in place several times until Seth has a handful of bandage material and Ryan's chest and abdomen is bare.
"Damn, man," Seth comments on Ryan's discolored body.
Ryan is dizzy and staggers but Seth steadies him by taking his shoulders in his hands.
"Thanks. No more spin," Ryan says.
"Ryan, there're plenty of towels…oh god…" Kirsten stops cold at Ryan's condition.
"It looks worse than it is," Ryan says.
"You're an awful liar," Seth says.
"Shower. I'll be down in a few minutes," Ryan replies, uncomfortable under their examination. He walks past them to the bathroom.
"And Ryan?" Seth calls. Ryan turns. "Summer had to make an appearance at her dad's hospital fundraiser and she'll be back later."
Ryan blinks. "Thanks."
"Dinner's downstairs, Ryan. When you're ready," Kirsten says.
Ryan takes a hot shower that gives him short-lived relief. After he dresses in loose fitting pants and a wife-beater, his body is wracked with pain. He sits down on the bed. He feels worse now than when he first took the beating.
"Ryan?" Seth's voice is tentative.
"I'm decent," Ryan replies.
"Everything okay?" Seth steps inside.
"Yeah. I'm just in slow motion right now. Moving hurts more than I remember."
"Pool's a pretty dangerous game."
Ryan sighs. "It wasn't pool."
Seth is clearly surprised. "Oh. Okay."
"I needed fast money. So. I made fast money."
Seth shakes his head, confused. "Elaborate, dude, please…"
"I was selling. Drugs. And this guy tried to jack me…"
"God, dude," Seth laughs, relieved. "I thought you were going to tell me you, like, pimped, or took a murder for hire or something."
Ryan doesn't react as Seth laughs harder.
"I'm sorry, I just pictured you in a purple suit with a fur coat and hat with feathers…"
Ryan smiles, amused. "Do I get a pimp cane?"
Seth laughs and finally, Ryan joins him.
"Oh god, baby, what drugs did they give you? Seth? He's laughing…" Summer rushes in, alarmed.
"No, Dude, its okay," Seth says.
"Ryan?" Summer calls, sitting down beside him.
"He thinks I'm a pimp," Ryan says evenly.
Summer glances between them. "What?"
"You look nice," Ryan tells her. She's dressed in a short red dress and her hair is up.
"See? Prime example of pimpage," Seth says.
"Maybe. But I'm not giving him any money," Summer replies.
"Not yet," Seth grins.
"Everything okay? Really?" Summer asks.
"Yeah. I was just telling Seth about the dangers of drug dealing," Ryan says quietly.
"It's not cool," Summer states.
"No, it's not cool at all. It's dangerous and illegal and it sucks. But it doesn't matter now. It doesn't change anything," Seth says.
"Really," Ryan whispers, blankly.
"It doesn't change the fact that I'm sorry. I was wrong and I'm sorry," Seth says.
"I'm sorry, too," Ryan replies quietly.
"And I'm glad you're back," Seth adds.
"Me, too."
"Anna's bringing our homework over in a little while," Seth says. "And just fair warning, you've got papers due, pimp."
Ryan gives him the finger.
"At least its Friday," Summer says.
"Hell yes. And Ryan hasn't played any of the new games that Marissa sent us from Paris…" Seth says.
"Wait," Ryan says. "Rewind. Marissa sent something here?"
"Yeah. I thought you saw it or…damn…" Seth flushes red.
"They broke up, Seth. Before he ran off," Summer says quietly.
"Oh. Well, this box came a couple of days ago. It was full of ps2 games, chocolate and some random French techno," Seth explains. "Dad opened it because it had "For the Cohens" on the box," He adds.
"No, it's cool. It's just weird. Has she called?" Ryan asks.
"Not that I know of. There was no letter, just a card with Marissa's name on it."
"Don't stress, Ryan," Summer says quietly.
Ryan puts an arm around her. "I'm not. Kirsten mentioned dinner?"
"Come on."
*****
Ryan manages to eat enough food to stop Kirsten and Summer's worried nagging. By the end of the meal, Seth has threatened to force feed him pasta if he can't make the ladies stop.
Anna joins them while Seth and Summer are doing the dishes. She gives Ryan a gentle hug.
"It's good to see you," She says.
"Thanks. Thanks for watching Seth while I was gone," He smiles.
"Seth is definitely high maintenance with or without you," Anna smiles.
"But Ryan's home now and everything's okay," Seth says.
"Well, you definitely don't look okay," Anna says to Ryan. "What happened to you?"
"Well. I took a beating. But I messed the other guy up pretty good," Ryan says quietly.
"People tell me you're a thug, Ryan, but I never believed it until now," Anna teases.
"I guess it's all about your environment," Ryan says. He is watching Summer who is painfully quiet. Anna watches Ryan, intrigued.
"Shit, everyone knows Ryan's from Chino. Chino is like, the Californian's equivalent of hell," Seth laughs.
"Fuck you," Ryan laughs. He gets up and walks to Summer's side. Her forearms are blanketed with suds. "Hey. You all right?"
"Yeah. What's up?" She asks, not looking at him.
"How was your dad's thing?"
"Boring and…" She hesitates. "And enlightening,"
Ryan nods, brushing her arms free of lather and clasping her hands as he turns her to face him. "What happened?"
Summer glances at Anna but Seth has pulled her into a loving embrace. Summer buries her face into Ryan's shoulder as she links her hands around his waist. "He's a bastard."
"Your dad?"
"Yeah. He didn't…he doesn't care about me…I'm just an extra expense on his account…"
"Hey," Ryan says, tilting her chin so she meets his intense gaze. "Listen. Fuck your dad. You're special. You're important. You're awesome, Summer…you don't need his approval, you don't owe him anything."
Summer lowers her gaze. Ryan pulls her against him.
"Please…you're so special, Summer…" Ryan murmurs.
Summer finds his lips and kisses him deeply. She puts her hands on his head and keeps his mouth pressed against hers. She needs to taste him. She needs him to feel how she feels.
"Summer. Summer…Summer, come on…" Anna's voice snaps her out of her daze. She releases Ryan, letting Anna pull her away.
"He can't breathe," Seth says. Seth has Ryan by the shoulders. Ryan's blue eyes are dull and glazed. He is breathing shallowly.
"Ryan?" Summer calls, panicked.
"Ryan. You're okay, okay? Look at me," Seth urges. Ryan meets his gaze. Seth holds his arms. "It's cool…"
"It's cool? You're not mad?" Ryan whispers, confused.
"No, Ryan, no, man…" Seth says.
"Please…I'm sorry…let me go," Ryan mutters. Seth lets go, stepping back and holding his hands up.
"Ryan…Ryan, do you know where you are?" Anna asks calmly. Ryan shudders as he puts his hands against the counter to support himself.
"Baby…" Summer starts.
"Summer? What…what's wrong? Anna?" Ryan's eyes clear suddenly and he's alarmed at their alarmed expressions.
"Everything's cool, Ryan…" Anna says. Summer embraces him desperately.
"Summer…Damn that hurts…" Ryan says.
"God, I'm sorry…" She gasps.
"It's cool…god knows how much you hurt me…" He smiles as he whispers in her ear, not releasing her.
"We have a motion for a ten minute recess before studying," Seth announces.
"Second," Ryan mutters.
"Show of hands?" Seth calls. Summer, Anna, Ryan and himself all raise their hands. "Motion carried."
"Twenty minutes in the poolhouse?" Summer offers.
"Deal." Seth turns to Ryan. "Mom made it into a sort of clubhouse or something. PS2, all the movie channels and 2 queen-sized futons for Mr. Pimp over here."
Ryan gives him the finger. Summer and Anna are watching each other.
"Hey, baby. I need you to help me. I promise I'll make it worth your while," Ryan says to Summer.
"Okay. What's up?"
"Can you help me wrap my ribs?" Ryan whispers.
"Can you talk me through it?"
"Yeah, and we can talk."
Summer nods.
"Poolhouse. 20 minutes," Anna repeats.
"Ten-forty," Summer responds.
"Whatever," Seth laughs.
Upstairs in Ryan's new room, Summer is just clamping the ace bandage tightly around his chest. Despite the painkillers, he has tears running from his tightly closed eyes.
"Ryan?"
"Thanks," Ryan replies. He kisses her and she lets him pin her against the bed as they enjoy each other's flavor.
Between kisses, she moans his name.
"You okay?" He breathes into her neck. Their hands are exploring each other's bodies.
"No…" She moans. "Please…"
He freezes, sitting up and paling.
"Ryan…" She starts.
"No, I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" Ryan says, staggering to his feet. "I have to go…"
"No, don't, please, Ryan…" She cries. He stumbles out the door into the hallway and down the stairs. Seth catches him by the arms in the kitchen.
"Ryan, hey…chill out…"
Ryan is breathing rapidly and his blue eyes are dull like before in the kitchen. "I messed up…I…"
"Dude, just breathe…come on…sit down with me…" Seth urges.
Ryan hesitates but relaxes and sits down in the kitchen floor.
"Not what I had in mind but it works," Seth says. He doesn't want to panic but Ryan's demeanor is all wrong. He crouches beside Ryan in the floor. "What's up?"
"I…I can't…what…" Ryan mutters.
"Slow down, Ryan. Breathe, okay?"
Ryan meets Seth's worried gaze and nods. He is clearly disoriented. Summer rushes in with Kirsten behind her.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault…" Summer is saying. "I just…I didn't want to hurt him and…"
"Ryan?" Seth calls. Ryan doesn't react immediately. His eyes are locked on the floor where he is sitting. "Ryan, what's wrong?"
"What?" Ryan murmurs. He puts a hand to his head.
"Summer, what happened?" Kirsten leaves Seth with Ryan in the floor and turns to face Summer.
"I wrapped his chest for him and then we were…kissing and…" Summer says, crying softly.
"I think it's the medication," Seth says suddenly. He waves his hand in front of Ryan's glazed eyes. Ryan blinks at him. "He's all spacy."
"Spacy?" Ryan repeats. "What?"
Summer leaves Kirsten's side and goes to Ryan and puts her hand on his shoulder. He flinches, sliding away from her until his back is against the counter. He looks up at her in alarm.
"Ryan, baby…I'm sorry…" Summer says, startled by his reaction to her touch.
"What? What's going on?" Ryan is clearly confused. He glances around.
"Everybody should just relax," Kirsten says. "Summer, go wait in the poolhouse for a few minutes. Please?"
"I'll be right outside," Summer tells Ryan who looks at her blankly. She leaves, meeting Anna by the door and pulling her back out of the house.
"Ryan. Can you look at me?" Kirsten kneels beside Seth. Ryan meets her gaze slowly. "Tell me where you are."
"What?" Ryan mutters.
"Where are you, Ryan?" Seth echoes.
"I'm…I'm at your house…in the kitchen…" Ryan says, his eyes clearing slightly. "What…what's going on?"
"You lost it for a few minutes, man…what's going on?" Seth asks, relieved that Ryan is more lucid.
"I…everything's fuzzy all of a sudden…" Ryan admits. "Why am I in the floor?"
Kirsten helps him to his feet. "I walked in and both of you were in the floor. Are you okay?"
"Yeah…I guess these painkillers are a little stronger than I thought, or maybe I just slept through the effects last time I took them," Ryan says, sitting down on a stool.
"You really freaked us out, man. You were on your way out of here when I stopped you," Seth says. "What do you remember?"
"I was…Summer was helping me wrap my ribs and then I was here," Ryan replies quietly. "Did I do something? Did I hurt her?"
"No, honey, I sent her outside because I could only deal with one hysterical teenager at a time. She was pretty upset, she thought she upset you and…" Kirsten says.
"I need to talk to her," Ryan says immediately.
"I want you to take a few minutes first, Ryan. Catch your breath, okay? Seth, go tell Summer that Ryan's okay," Kirsten says as Sandy enters with a yawn.
"What's going on?" Sandy asks.
"You missed all the excitement," Kirsten says as she sits down beside Ryan.
"Excitement? In this house? I don't believe it," Sandy jokes. He quickly turns serious as he catches his wife's mood.
"These drugs are making me space out," Ryan tells Sandy. "Apparently, I freaked out and Seth had to keep me from bolting."
Sandy is immediately concerned. "The drugs? You didn't say anything when we gave them to you this morning…"
"I slept pretty hard. I think that the drugs don't go well with consciousness," Ryan replies quietly.
"But you're okay now?" Sandy asks.
"I think so. I thought I was okay before," Ryan replies.
Summer follows Seth inside and immediately goes to Ryan and embraces him. "You scared the hell out of me…"
"I'm sorry," He whispers as she starts to cry. He holds her tightly as she sobs. "I didn't mean to scare you…"
Sandy and Kirsten glance at each other, concerned. Seth shakes his head at them, warning them not to separate them yet.
"Hey…it's cool…don't cry…please don't cry anymore, I've seen enough tears from you tonight," Ryan says quietly. She sniffles and nods silently, trying to curb her emotion.
"I think it's a little soon for you to start studying…" Kirsten says suddenly.
"Seth says I have overdue papers," Ryan says.
"They can wait until tomorrow," Sandy replies. "I think you should go back to bed."
"I can handle it, I think," Ryan offers. "Really…I think I'm okay."
"We'll take care of him, Dad," Seth says. "We'll be in the poolhouse and if anything happens, we'll come get you."
"He needs to be around people," Summer says quietly.
Kirsten gives Sandy a nod. "Okay. That's okay. Ryan, if you need anything…"
"I'm okay, I think. Thanks," Ryan says.
"Come on, Anna's got everything laid out for us," Seth leads them outside. Summer keeps her arm around Ryan's waist and walks slowly with him.
"I'm sorry about earlier, I don't know what happened," Ryan tells Summer.
"We were…we were in the middle of something and you asked me if I was okay and…"
"Yeah? And?" Ryan probes as she stops speaking.
"I didn't want to hurt you, you're so…bruised and I didn't want us to go too far because…" She hesitates. "But you know that…"
"It's fine, Summer. Really. I'm just a little cloudy from these painkillers," Ryan says soothingly. They walk into the poolhouse.
"You guys are certainly good friends," Anna teases from one of the futons. Seth sits down beside her and gives her a kiss on the cheek.
Summer rolls her eyes at her but smiles as she sits down with Ryan on the futon across from theirs.
"Yeah. We are," Ryan replies dryly. Summer shoves him.
"But everything's okay now, right? You…you're okay?" Anna asks Ryan, concerned.
"I'm cool. I just spaced out a little," Ryan admits.
"Ryan?" Summer's brown eyes search his face.
"I told you, Summer. Everything's cool, okay? Just relax," Ryan smiles at her. She leans over to kiss him and he turns his face away slightly so it lands on his cheek. She recoils.
"Ryan…"
"Later, okay, baby? Everything's okay, but I don't want to do this now," Ryan whispers gently. He cups her chin and looks in her eyes. "Not right now, okay?"
"Okay," She concedes. He can tell that she doesn't understand by looking at her but he doesn't elaborate.
"Ryan, here's your stack of work," Anna tosses a thick folder of assignments across the room to land on the futon.
Ryan puts an arm around Summer who curls against him as he accepts the folder, flipping it open.
"Told you that you had papers due," Seth says, watching him carefully.
"Yeah, but they were already assigned. I was about a week ahead before I took off. I have some of these done already," Ryan says as he flips through.
"Really? You actually follow that syllabus thing they pass out every year?" Seth scoffs.
"Yeah. This is better than I thought. It looks like I'm still on schedule, I'm just not ahead anymore," Ryan comments.
"That's great, dude. So you can spend the weekend slacking off with the rest of us," Seth grins.
"Or he could spend it getting ahead again," Anna shoves Seth playfully.
"Ryan," Summer says. He looks at her and follows her gaze to the patio. Ryan recognizes Marissa approaching the poolhouse. "What do you want to do?"
"Nothing," Ryan shrugs. "There's nothing between us anymore," He adds.
"Well, it doesn't look like she thinks so. She's got flowers for you," Anna says. Seth is already on his feet.
"I'll take care of this," Seth says, closing the door behind him as he walks out to meet Marissa.
"Hey, Seth, how are you?" Marissa smiles widely and gives him a friendly hug.
"Fine, you just getting back?" Seth asks.
"Yeah, I got back yesterday. I came by to see Ryan, but there weren't any lights on in the poolhouse," She replies.
"Yeah. A lot of stuff's happened recently. What are you doing here, Marissa? I thought you guys broke up?" Seth asks immediately. She blushes.
"He told you about that? God, Seth, I messed up…I was hoping I could make it up to him…"
"A lot of stuff has happened lately, Marissa. It's not a good time," Seth says.
"What? Seth, what are you talking about? You're his bouncer now?" Marissa asks, confused.
"Yeah. I guess you could say that," Seth says immediately.
"Seth. Let me talk to him. Is he mad?"
"He's had a long week. I'll tell him you came by, Marissa," Seth states.
"Seth, what's going on? Is he that mad?" Marissa asks, hurt.
"No, I don't know…I'll tell him you came by, okay? That's all I can do."
"Okay. But, is Summer here? And Anna? And if they're here, why can't I be here?" Marissa asks.
"Seth. It's okay," Ryan steps outside and startles them both.
"Ryan…what happened to you? Are you okay?" She rushes to his side but he steps back, holding his hands up defensively. She can tell by his posture and bruises that he's been hurt.
"I'm okay. Seth. It's cool. I'll talk to her," Ryan tells his friend.
"You sure?" Seth asks, not wanting Ryan to get upset again.
"What happened, Ryan?" Marissa demands, worried.
"It's a really long story," Ryan says. "What are you doing here?" Seth doesn't leave, he moves over to stand beside Ryan, protective.
"I came to apologize, I need to talk to you and explain everything," Marissa says. "I made a mistake…" She glances at Seth, wanting him to go inside so she can talk to Ryan alone.
"You had a fling, Marissa," Ryan states flatly. "And now that you're back…."
"I'm sorry, Ryan. I made a mistake."
"Okay. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you and Jean-Luc," Ryan says. "But you and I…there's nothing between us."
"Ryan, don't say that…"
"There's nothing between us, Marissa. You made that perfectly clear when you called me from Paris and told me that you were fucking some French guy," Ryan says.
"Seth, can you give us a few minutes?" Marissa asks, glaring at him.
"He can stay, Marissa. He has to, actually," Ryan says. Seth nods, understanding.
"Why?"
"In case he falls over," Seth replies immediately.
"I can't take care of that?" Marissa asks.
"What do you want, Marissa?" Ryan replies. He sways slightly as his strength wavers. Seth steadies him with a hand on his shoulder.
"I want to talk to you. I want to catch up and…"
"Why don't you call next time?" Ryan asks.
"Why are you being like this?"
"Like what?" Ryan replies.
"It's like you don't care, like I don't mean anything to you…" Marissa starts, her eyes filling with tears. "Don't you care about me? Doesn't our relationship mean anything to you?"
Ryan hesitates and loses a shade of color in his face. Seth speaks. "Marissa, why are you asking Ryan that? Weren't you the one that broke up with Ryan over the phone in the first place?"
"Seth, this doesn't involve you," She snaps.
"Don't talk to him like that. He's right and you know it. This wasn't my idea, Marissa. I was willing to wait for you, I cared about you so much and as soon as you were away from me, you forgot about me…I mean, why even tell me about the other guy if you were just going to come back and act like nothing's changed?" Ryan asks.
"Ryan…" She starts.
"No. It's over, Marissa. Nothing's changed since you called. We're not together anymore," Ryan says.
Seth gives Ryan a worried look. "You okay?"
"He's fine, we're talking," Marissa snaps at him again. The door opens and Summer and Anna step out, concerned.
"Hey, Coop. When did you get back?" Summer asks, sensing the tension.
"Yesterday…" Marissa starts. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm spending time with friends," Summer replies, confused at Marissa's angry.
"Marissa, I think you should go," Ryan says quietly.
"Not until you listen to me…" She protests.
"There's nothing for me to listen to," Ryan replies quietly. "Besides, you're not listening to me so why should I even try?"
"Ryan, hey…" Seth steadies him as a tremor runs through his friend.
"Marissa, he needs his rest," Summer says, reaching out and touching her arm to get her attention.
"What do you know about Ryan?" Marissa snaps.
"You are out of control," Anna remarks. "You come over here, expecting him to forgive you unconditionally and then you yell at your best friend who you obviously haven't called since you've been gone…"
"Don't talk to me like that," Marissa gasps.
"Okay, Marissa, that's it. Leave. You're not welcome here," Seth says, pale.
"I'm not leaving until I can talk to Ryan…" Marissa protests.
"Fuck you," Ryan says suddenly. Everyone turns to look at him in surprise. "I mean it. Fuck you. That's all the talking you're going to get out of me tonight." He walks past her toward the main house.
"Ryan…" Marissa calls after him. Before anyone can stop her, she rushes toward Ryan and reaches for him, making contact with his bruised side as she spins him around to face her. His face is stricken with pain as he loses his breath. He staggers and has to grab a nearby chair to stay upright. "Ryan, I need you, I can't do this without you, you can't leave me…" She pleads, not seeing his distress.
"God, Marissa, self-centered much?" Anna says, reaching Ryan first. "You okay, Ryan?"
"Yeah…I just need a minute…" He whispers, still breathless with pain. He sits down suddenly, realizing that he will fall if he tries to walk. He puts his head in his hands and leans forward.
"What the fuck is wrong with all of you?" Marissa demands. Sandy and Kirsten step outside, concerned by her raised voice.
"We asked you to leave," Seth states. Kirsten sees Ryan's distress and joins Anna by his chair. Summer and Seth block Marissa's path to Ryan. Kirsten kneels beside him and tries to pull his hands away so she can see his face.
"Marissa. Ryan's not really up for company," Sandy says, taking the upset girl's arm. "Let me drive you home."
"I need to talk to Ryan," Marissa insists. Sandy pulls her into the house away from the teenagers.
"Ryan?" Kirsten says.
"I'm okay…she just startled me…" Ryan breathes shakily.
"She grabbed him on his side where it's all bruised," Seth tells his mother.
"Marissa is being extra crazy tonight," Anna comments. Summer is silent. Seth turns to her.
"Are you okay?" Seth asks.
"Yeah. Thanks," Summer says, pale.
Sandy returns without Marissa. "She's gone. I waited until I saw her taillights. I called Jimmy and told her that she's on her way," He adds.
"Thanks, Sandy," Ryan says. He stands up and limps into the main house. Everyone follows him inside. Ryan turns to them. "I think I'm going to lie down for a while."
"Okay, Ryan," Kirsten nods. Summer follows him upstairs and he closes the door to his room behind them.
"You okay?" Summer asks.
"Are you?"
"Yeah…"
"Me, too," Ryan says. They smile at each other because they know they're both lying. She turns away from him and he sighs. He walks over to her and puts his arms around her. She returns his embrace and they stand silently for a few moments, holding each other.
"What do you want to do?" Summer asks.
"About what?"
"About us."
"What about us?" Ryan replies.
"Ryan," She says. "You know…"
"I don't know, Summer. I'm not going back with Marissa. I…I don't want to ruin your friendship with her, either," He sighs.
"I don't know what to do," Summer echoes.
"So. What are we going to do?"
"I don't know," She says. They continue holding each other.
"I'm going to lie down, Summer," Ryan says finally. "Are you going to stay tonight?"
"I don't think I should. Not…not until we figure this out," She says.
Ryan nods, understanding. "Okay."
"Ryan…"
"Summer, I understand. Really. You saved my life, you know?" Ryan asks.
She can't stop the tears from filling her eyes. "Ryan…"
"You don't have to say anything, Summer. I just…you know how important you are to me, right?"
"Of course…"
"Okay. As long as you know," Ryan says.
"Ryan…"
"Let's don't talk about anything else tonight. I'll see you tomorrow, maybe?"
"I'll call you first thing…" Summer promises.
"I believe you. Be careful," Ryan urges. He doesn't get up as she turns to leave. He lies down and turns to face away from the door.
"Ryan? Are we…are we okay?"
"Yeah, Summer. We're okay."
Summer can't tell by his voice what his answer means. She exits. As soon as she closes the door behind her, Ryan rolls over on his back and sighs. He knows that no matter how exhausted he is, he won't be able to sleep tonight.
*****
