A new character is joining us and he's a bit of a menace. Ranger gets jealous even though he has no right too.
Warning: Mentions of Self harm in this chapter
Chapter Three
Now
Steph POV
I curled up in bed, holding the book in my hand, never opening it. This morning. It felt so natural to be in the kitchen with him. Working together to make breakfast. Even after two years, it felt so normal to be sharing a space with him again. My mind started to drift off to the time after he left.
Then
I sat in the middle of the floor in the apartment. My things were strewn across the floor, boxes sitting on the floor. I picked up the picture frames, the first one was of me and Carlos, laying on a blanket in the park. Tank had taken it during one of the Rangeman outings. We laid together, kissing and talking softly. Tank had caught us during one tender moment, forehead pressed together, Carlos stroking hair from my face.
I didn't even realize I was crying until Tank kneeled in front of me. "Babygirl, it's going to be okay." He whispered, cupping my cheeks and brushing the tears from them.
"No, it won't." I shook my head.
"Shhh." He said, pulling me into a hug. I curled into a ball, as he wrapped his arms around me.
"Tank, why did he have to leave?"
"Because he's a stupid man." He mumbled against the top of my head.
"I want to hate him, Tank, but I love him too much."
"I know Steph."He shushed me.
XXXXXX
"Steph, you're spending way too much time here and at the gym." Tank said. I rolled my eyes.
"I'm fine mom." I sassed.
"Steph." He said, shutting my office door behind him. He sat on the edge of my desk and looked down at me, taking my hand. "How much sleep are you getting at night?"
I shrugged, not meeting his gaze. "Do you realize you've spent almost twenty hours a week in the gym? Ninety hours a week at work? That's at least 110 hours a week. That means you're getting about four a night, but I know that's not true because you have to eat, sleep, and do other things."
"It's none of your goddamn business Tank." I snapped at him.
He frowned. "You're going to crash and it's not going to be pretty."
"I don't care."
"Bobby is putting you on medical restrictions and requiring you to see a therapist."
"Fuck the both of you," I yelled at him. I walked past him and walked out the door. I tried to remain calm on my way to the elevator, but I still got looks. It didn't come quick enough, so I took the stairs. Stepping out onto the street, I walked the two blocks to my apartment. I slammed the door behind me and turned off the alarm.
I sank down on the floor, with my back to the door. My body shaking, I wrapped my arms around my knees and rocked myself. I could feel the tears streaming down my face and the sobs breaking free.
I woke up to my door opening. Two familiar voices, a hand on my face and then my wrist. "Stephanie."
"Mmm."
"Look at me," Bobby said.
"Sure," I mumbled.
"Come on, Steph, we need you to wake up and get some food in you."
They helped me stand. Once I got some food and water in me, I was taken to bed. I woke up to Tank sitting on the bed next to me. He looked at me with a sad expression.
"Tank," I said softly.
He squeezed my hand, I hadn't realized he was holding it. "You need help. Real help. Your cabinets are empty, you're not eating, you're not sleeping, you're having panic attacks, mood swings. Steph why didn't you talk to anyone?"
"What am I supposed to say? My longtime boyfriend, best friend, and lover left me. I'm falling apart. I don't know what to do with my life anymore. I'm sad because I don't have anyone to come home to. No, maybe I'll tell them I can only feel something when I physically hurt myself."
He froze, studying me. "How long have you been hurting yourself?"
"Not like that," I said softly. "Why do you think I spend so much time on the bags every day?"
He sighed. "Please will you let someone help you?"
"Tank…"
"Please? Please Steph."
I nodded. "Fine."
"Thank you."
"Tank, have you heard from him?"
He shook his head, and I nodded in return. "I've got to let him go."
"I'm sorry he hurt you like this."
I shrugged. "I'm sorry too. I should have known better."
"You shouldn't be punished for loving someone."
Now
I sat up against the headboard and sighed. I couldn't forget everything that had happened. I took a deep breath and left the bed. I couldn't lay here and let my thoughts fester.
I stepped into my connected bathroom. Turning on the shower, I stripped and stood under the rainfall. I let out a sigh. I let the hot water run over my body.
Then I heard it. A crying Meow. I scrambled to turn off the shower, trying to listen for the sound. It was right outside my window, on the fire escape. I slipped on my robe and ran to the window at the same time Carlos opened the door.
"Babe do you hear that?"
"I think there's a kitten on my fire escape," I said. He rushed to the window and unlocked it. He pushed it open, as I leaned out. In a snow pile was a solid black kitten. It meowed pathetically as it shivered. I held it to my chest, tucking it under my robe. Carlos closed the window.
"There's a heating pad in the living room, can you get it heated up? I'm going to start trying to warm this baby up."
He nodded and rushed from the room. I found a dry fluffy towel and wrapped it in it. I started rubbing her with the towel, drying her and warming her up. I walked into the living room and set it in the towel on the pad. I sat on the couch next to it. It shivered but tucked into the warmth.
"Can you sit with it while I get dressed?"
He nodded. I slipped back into my bedroom and dressed quickly. I rushed back out to see Carlos stroking it under the chin.
"How old do you think it is?"
"About twelve weeks." He answered.
I sat down and the kitten stretched, kneading the towel, laying its head on my hand. I scratched under its jaw. "What're you going to do with it?"
"Keep it, what else?"
"What're you going to feed it?" He asked.
"I have tuna fish. That can hold it over for a few days until I can get cat food."
"What about a litter box?"
"Well, a small tote and sand will work in a pinch," I suggested.
"Where are you going to get sand from?"
"The bag I have in the closet."
"Why the hell do you have a bag of sand in your closet?"
"Because I wear a weight vest sometimes when I run."
He shook his head. "Tell me what you want me to do."
XXXXXX
The little black kitten turned out to be a boy. After a day of warming up and snuggling he was terrorizing Carlos. Chasing him everywhere, attacking his feet, grabbing his legs, running up his legs, pouncing on him, and last but not least chewing on his hair.
I couldn't help myself but laugh every time Carlos was surprised by the cat. I sat watching as he played with the cat. He laid on his chest, Carlos had a piece of string in his hand playing with him and teasing him. I laughed softly, watching them. Eventually, the cat got tired of it and he whacked Carlos in the face.
Before Carlos could snatch him up, he ran to me, burrowing into my chest. I laughed and ran my fingers through his jet-black fur. Carlos sat glaring at him.
"I still haven't figured out what to name you." I purred to the kitten. He purred back.
"Menace," Carlos grumbled.
"That's actually a good name." I grinned. I received another glare. I chuckled and scratched behind his ear.
"They say it's going to pass tomorrow," Carlos said nonchalantly.
"Then you get to go back to your apartment."
He sighed. "I know, but I don't want to leave. These last couple of days… They've been, they've been great. I miss the closeness we used to have, the domesticity although it was our own kind, laughing and talking, just spending time together."
"I would be lying if I said I didn't miss it too." I sighed softly. "But for now let's work on being friends.
XXXXXX
"Lev, your name will be Lev," I told the kitten in my lap.
"Lev?" Carlos asked, wrinkling his nose.
"It means lion in Russian," I said scratching the kitten under his chin.
Carlos rolled his eyes. He finished dressing in the clothes he came here in on Friday. "I'll see you at work tomorrow," Carlos said.
He leaned down and kissed me softly. He pulled back, shocked as I sat frozen. Carlos's eyes met mine and I felt both of my eyebrows shoot up. "Uhhhh, muscle memory. I'm sorry." He blushed.
I smiled. "It's okay. I know there's going to be slip-ups between the both of us."
He nodded, pulling back. "I'll see you, tomorrow Babe."
I walked him to the door, Lev smacking at his feet. He snatched him up and looked him in the eye. "Take care of her." He said. He handed him off to me.
I watched him walk down the stairs before walking back inside. Lev snuggled into my neck purring. I smiled to myself. My phone started ringing. I found it on the couch and let Lev go.
I grabbed it as I sat down, answered Tank's phone call. "You spent the weekend with Ranger?" He asked.
"He walked me home on Friday when the storm blew in. I couldn't let him walk home in that storm. He stayed in the guest bedroom and he was a perfect gentleman. He even helped me rescue a kitten that was stuck outside."
"Hmmm, how are you feeling?"
"I don't know. Sad?"
"Why?"
"That he left." I sighed. "I miss cohabitating with him. It wasn't always easy but I loved it."
"So?"
"We're going to be friends for now."
"Steph, I want you to know something."
"Hmm?"
"He had a kept woman in Miami. After he got back from his mission, he found one and visited her often. He ended it with her about six months ago. To my knowledge, he doesn't have one currently."
I sat back letting it sink in. "Tank, we weren't together, we aren't together. I slept with a few men over these past two years. There is no way I could expect him to wait for me."
"I never said that." Tank chuckled. "I just want you to be prepared if you do get back together."
"Tank, I love you," I said.
"I love you too."
"Then stop being a worrywart and looking over my shoulder!" I snapped playfully at him.
He chuckled. "Alright, I guess, I can stop."
"I would have preferred if you let Carlos tell me that," I told him.
"I'm sorry. I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I know Tank, but I need you to back off."
"Alright." He surrendered.
"Thank you. I'll see you on the mats in the morning."
"Yeah." He grumbled as I hung up. I laughed.
Lev followed me into my bedroom. I stripped off my clothes and pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. I slipped under the covers and Lev slipped under the covers and tucked himself under my chin. I fell asleep with a kitten purring and my hand stretched out over the other side.
XXXXXX
Ranger POV
I walked out of Steph's apartment and glanced back to see her standing in the doorway. I really didn't want to leave, but I knew it was time for me to do so. At least the past three days had been a success. We had gotten along without killing each other.
I walked out of the building and started the two-block trek back to Rangeman. A black SUV pulled up beside me. The window rolled down and Les sat in the driver's seat. "Get in Rangeman."
I walked around and jumped into the passenger's seat. He kept glancing at me out of the corner of his eyes. "What Lester?"
"You spent three days with beautiful."
"And?"
"And?" Les repeated as though I hadn't just said it.
"It's none of your business," I growled.
"The minute you walked out, you made it my business." He growled back.
He parked in the garage, and I got out rolling my eyes. "Just butt out," I told him.
"Fuck you, Ric. If you hurt her again, I'll mop the floor with your ass." He told me. I ignored him and walked over to my turbo. I slid in and drove back towards my building, another two blocks north.
Walking into the empty apartment I felt even lonelier than ever. The apartment was big and empty. I missed her presence. Even though some of the time it was awkward, it felt familiar, it felt warm, it felt welcoming. I wanted to embrace it, but I knew she needed to take it slow.
I walked into what was our bedroom and slipped under the blankets. I started at her side of the bed, wishing she was there with me.
Then
I trudged into the apartment, it was well past three in the morning. I walked through the kitchen and into the laundry room, stripping off my soaking wet clothes and shoes. Tossing everything but the shoes in the washer.
Wrapping a towel around my waist I made my way to our bedroom. Cold and tired, I wanted to get a warm shower and crawl into bed with Steph, and not leave for the next ten hours. I saw Steph, sprawled out across the bed, hair wild and spread across my pillow. She looked soft and warm, all I wanted to do was crawl in bed with her, but I had the feeling she wouldn't appreciate my smelly cold-ass in bed with her
I stepped into the bathroom and started the shower. As I opened the door, I heard her call my name, "Carlos?"
"Just getting in the shower Babe."
"Mmm, do you want me to join you?" She purred.
"No, I want you soft and in bed when I get out," I growled softly. "Give me five."
I stepped into the shower under the hot spray. I washed quickly making sure to get the smell of sweat, mud, and rainwater off of me. I stepped out less than five minutes later and stepped into the bedroom drying my body. Steph lay on my side of the bed, head propped up, eyes roaming over me. She licked her lips and I chuckled.
I smiled and dropped the towel and prowled over to the bed. She pulled the covers back and revealed that she was naked. I slipped into bed, and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her body against mine.
I was right, she was soft and warm from sleep. Her lips met mine as she kissed me slowly, tangling her fingers in my hair. My hands found her hips, digging my fingers into her hips. One of her hands roamed down the front of my body, teasing my nipples, getting a low grumble from my chest. She purred in response, fingers tracing the rivets of my abs, and wrapped her hand around my cock.
She pulled back from the kiss and stroked me, I bucked against her hand. "Babe," I groaned lowly.
"I had to go to bed alone tonight." She said against my neck. "I missed you."
"I'm sorry."
"Mmm, we'll just have to make up for it." She smiled.
We lay in bed panting. Steph snuggled against me, "I expected to come home, crawl into bed, and sleep for the next ten hours." I told her. She smiled, looking up at me.
"Well, I know you love surprises."
I chuckled. "When they're like this."
She rested her face in my neck and nuzzled me. "Now how about we sleep like you were planning to."
"Hmmm," I said, rolling onto my side and pulling her closer. I wrapped my body around hers, tangling our legs and burying my face in her hair.
"I love you, Carlos," Steph said softly, tracing shapes on my hip.
"I love you too Babe," I whispered to her softly.
Now
I woke up in bed, cold and lonely. I glanced over at Steph's side of the bed, wishing she was there. Wishing there was any trace of her still here. I missed seeing her here, tucked under the blankets, hair spread out, morning sunlight softly illuminating her skin as she slept. Every now and then soft snores and a few words as she dreamt. I sat up and rubbed my face. I walked to the bathroom and stepped under the hot stream.
After my shower, I dressed for work and slipped on a thick winter jacket. I zipped it up and pulled on a set of leather gloves. Locking the apartment door behind me, I decided to walk to the office. I made my way down the busy sidewalk, horns honking on the streets and people shoving each other, classic New York.
As I started to pass her favorite Cafe I saw her through the windows. Sitting at a back table sipping a cup of coffee. I stood outside, thinking over whether I should go inside or not. As I stepped into the shop a man sat across the table from her. She smiled at him. I walked over to the counter and ordered my cup.
I watched as the man patted her hand. She smiled at him. They stood after a few minutes and he kissed her cheek. He wrapped a scarf around his neck and walked across the shop to the door. Only then did Steph notice me. She smiled softly at me and waved me over.
I stood next to the table, feeling a little awkward. "Well, are you going to sit?"
"Uhhh, yeah sure." I sat down across from her.
"How's Lev?"
"Well it's only been a few hours since you've seen him but he's still a terror. I think he's missing terrorizing you." She laughed. I smiled weakly.
"Alright," She said looking at me. "What's wrong with you?"
"It's none of my business." I shrugged.
"Ahh, you were here why Daniel was here." She nodded. "And you didn't like seeing me with another man."
"I hate that you can see right through me."
She smiled, "Years of knowing you have helped."
"So uh…"
"He's one of the guys from Rangeman. He works in the public relations department. He's got one of the highest contract signing rates. He saw me and came over to ask me about a contract we were working on last week."
"I'm sorry. I know it's not my business, and I shouldn't be asking." I started.
She shrugged. "I don't have anything to hide."
"We should get to work." I said, "Can I uh walk you?"
"Sure." She smiled softly.
For all of those wanting Ranger in therapy, wait a few chapters... The man needs it and gets it.
