Short fluffy, song shot inspired by Old Dominions Break Up With him. The characters are JE's and the song belongs to the artist.


Steph:

I sat on the couch, a wine glass resting on the table and a bowl of popcorn in my lap. I had on an old Rangeman shirt and a pair of sweats, neither of which belonged to me, but they were mine none the less. My phone rang, and I pulled my eyes from the screen long enough to pick it up.

I answered with a grunted hello. There was what sounded like giggling on the other end. I was about to hang up when a familiar voice came through.

"Babe," Ranger said.

"Ranger, why're you calling? Is something wrong?"

"Yes," he said on a sigh. I sat up. "You need to break up with him."

"What are you taking about?"

"The cop, you need to break up with him," he said, sounding slightly annoyed that I didn't catch his meaning.

"Why?"

"Because he doesn't deserve you," he put simply with a slight slur.

"Ranger, are you drinking?"

"I don't see why that matters," he told me. "That cop is fucking Gilman behind your back."

I felt my heart stutter. "When?" I asked softly.

"Les, Tank, and Bobby drug me to a hotel tonight to drink at the bar and wait for some chick Les was supposed to be meeting. and Gilman drug him through the lobby and was feeling him up in the elevator."

I let out a breath. Working my ass! "Do you need someone to take the four of you home?"

"It's just me," he said. "Tank went home to his cats, and Les and Bobby found girls for the night."

"Where are you? I'll come pick you up," I said.

"Princeton, the Springhill."

"I'll be there in a few minutes."

"See you in a few, Babe," he said. I hung up and sighed. Slipping on my shoes, I walked to the door, picking up my bag and keys. I jogged down the stairs because the elevator was broken and slid into my SUV.

Why wasn't I surprised? I had suspected for a while now that Joe was fucking Terry, but I didn't have proof. Now I did, and I knew it was over between us. But I should be upset, right? Instead, I feel a sense of relief.

I had been looking for a reason to end it permanently, maybe not consciously, but still. I sighed again; I should have never went back to him after the first breakup, but he was safe and he was comfortable.

The man I wanted had denied me, and I ran right back to my safety net. I pulled up in front of the hotel and called Ranger's cell. He emerged from the shadows almost making me screech. Still a little drunk he could be downright scary as hell. He slid into the passenger's seat.

I looked up at the hotel before pulling away.

"You've been looking for an excuse to break up with him," Ranger said, like he knew all the answers.

"And what if I have?"

"Why?" Ranger asked.

"Maybe I'm tired of the back and forth."

Ranger turned in his seat to look at me. He shook his head. "I've seen the way you look at me, Babe. That's not the reason why."

"How do I look at you, Ranger?" I whispered. I knew I needed to tread lightly; there was a good chance that he would remember this is the morning.

"Like you're in love with me and not him," he said softly.

I tightened my grip on the wheel. I didn't say anything, and he left it at that until we arrived at Rangeman.

"Let's get you upstairs," I said.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" he asked, as we got on the elevator.

"Yes," I said softly, giving in. This would be the only time I could afford to do this.

Ranger POV:

I woke up with a killer headache, with my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. Images from last night came flickering through my mind. I reached for Steph and only found cold empty sheets. I shook my head rolling over and burying it under the pillow.

I heard footsteps and smelt French fries. I looked up to find Steph walking towards me. She set the food on the nightstand.

"Hangover cure," she said turning to walk away.

"Babe, don't go."

I watched her take a big breath and nod. She sat on the corner of the bed, looking about ready to bolt. "I called you last night." A statement not a question. She nodded.

"What did you think about what I told you?" I asked.

"I was relieved."

I felt a glimmer of hope in my heart. "Why?"

"You know why," she said, glancing at me.

"Because you love me."

"Because I love you," she said, her voice small.

"I love you, too."

"In your own way," she snapped, bitterly.

"It's the only way I know how to love," I said simply, causing her to stand and look at me.

"What?"

"We all love in our own way," I shrugged even if it hurt my head to do so.

"I'm going to kill you," she growled, but I could see the small smile tugging at her lips.

"You wouldn't." I smiled at her, offering my hand to her. I pulled her into my lap and down to kiss me.

"This is too easy," she said against my lips.

"We're meant to be together even if it took a lot of stupid actions and words from me and some running from you," I told her softly.

She smiled. "Don't ever let me run again," she said.

I grinned. "The only time I want your back to me is when you're under me," I growled grabbing her ass. She swatted my chest.

"Pig!" she laughed.

"I love your backside, Steph. I hate to see you go but I love to watch you leave." I grinned. She fell into a fit of laughter.

"I didn't know you could spout off corny pick-up lines."

"Only for you," I told her with a smile.

She smiled and cupped my cheeks leaning down to kiss me.


I don't know about anyone else but I love drunk Ranger fics. This one and a few others have been sitting in my folder for a while now, waiting to see the light of day.