I take a deep breath, opening my eyes. Sleeping in the hospital chairs has fucked my back so I'm slow to sit up right. My lips part when I see a small piece of the cheesecake is gone. "Grey!" Her name gets caught in my throat.
Her slate eyes slowly shift over to me.
Before she can even say anything, my arms are around her. "Fuck. I'm so goddamn glad you're awake," I choke.
She lets out a painful whine.
"Shit, sorry!"
Her fingers curl around one of mine.
There's a million things I want to ask her, but the last thing she needs right now is a roster of questions. I just want to hear her voice though.
She's sluggish to set her fork on the tray.
"I'll go get the nurse." I patiently wait outside the room, watching in the window. What I thought would be something brief, took hours. I grab a bite to eat in the cafeteria and it might have just saved my ass. Blythe is talking with the Doctor when I return. I keep back some, listening to the conversation. It's not even about Grey.
Blythe doesn't stick around long.
I follow him to make sure he's actually leaving.
He stops and observes the parking lot.
I learned my lesson and outsmarted this motherfucker by parking in the lot across the street. When he finally leaves, I head back to Grey to find her asleep. Shit. I, once again, return to my spot in the chair and wait for her to wait up. There's a Red Sox game on tonight that I guess I'll watch. Never thought I'd feel ambivalent about baseball. Even though the volume is down, it still disturbs her.
"Oh," Grey smiles when she leans over and sees me.
Her surprise tells me that she was just faking being asleep, and thought I was him. Goddammit. Fuck him, I'm not letting him take this moment away. I have a seat on the bed. "Are you okay?"
"The nurses told me that you stayed by my side."
I wish she wouldn't ignore my concern. "I was worried about you."
"Don't be."
"What can I do for you?"
"Help me to the toilet," she laughs uncomfortably.
I wait in the doorway of the bathroom, but keep my back to her. Grey is so weak, I practically dragged her. Then again, she has been unconscious for two weeks. "You know, this place has pretty good food. I could order you something." I set her down in her bed, helping untangle her iv.
"You pulled my iv out!"
"Oh, shit, fuck! What the fuck do I do!"
"I'm just fucking with you, mate," she giggles.
"Fuck."
"Your face. That was priceless-"
I grab this woman by the cheeks and press my lips to hers. I'm slapped and shoved off her.
"What are you doing?!"
"Uh," I flush.
"Leave."
"I'm sorry. I'm just not thinking clearly."
"I won't tell you again."
"Grey-"
"Now!"
"Goddammit!"
"She's awake, dear."
I've been pacing outside of Grey's room for forty-five fucking minutes. I don't know why I just can't take no for a fucking answer, and barge in her room. "If you really want me to leave, I'll leave, and never bother you again. Okay, that's probably bullshit, I'll still bother you. I just want you to know, what I did yesterday was fucking stupid, and I'm sorry."
"What if Blythe saw us? Do you have any idea what he would do to you? This isn't a game, Negan."
"I know it's not a fucking game, Grey. It was a stupid mistake."
"Room 217?" Blythe asks the nurse.
Grey's eyes widen in terror. "Hide," she begs me.
The bathroom is the only thing I can think of. I don't even get a chance to close the door.
"You're awake?"
The surprise in his voice fuels my suspicion he put her here.
"Ugh, you look like shit without any makeup on."
What a motherfucker.
"Let me see your neck." Blythe lets out a grunt. "Frank is coming to get you and take you back home. I'm going to Mexico to finish this deal."
"Will you postpone it for a few days? I need some help getting around."
"Your legs aint broken, woman, goddamn. Jesus. I don't think you think about the shit that you say. Want me to fucking feed you, too?"
"I'm sorry," she stammers.
"Yeah, you're always fucking sorry. Change the goddamn record."
I hear his boots scuff across the floor, and then he's gone. "What the fuck was that about?"
She gives me a weak smile. "He's under a lot of stress right now."
He's about to be six feet under.
"You should go before Frank comes."
"What-the-fuck-ever, Grey."
...
I've been stewing in my chair as I stare out the window like a goddamn madman. I haven't seen that Frank cocksucker except to drop Grey off, only to speed off after shoving her in the door. Fuck it, I'm going to see her. The window of her bedroom opens up easy enough.
"You scared me," Grey gasps, as she sits at the end of the bed.
I know it ain't my fucking place, but I have to say something. "What kind of man leaves his wife home alone?"
"I told you, he's under a lot of stress."
"Yeah. Stress. Stress like his wife almost dying from falling down the steps?"
"Why are you being condescending? I fell."
"Because, Grey, fuck! He's going to kill you! What is it going to take for you to wake the fuck up and see-"
"Get out."
This is what I didn't want. "Don't make me leave, again. I have been a fucking wreck these last two weeks."
"You have to stop accusing Blythe of being this monster."
"I'm just saying, if you were my wife, I'd never leave your side."
"I'm not your wife, and you haven't left my side."
I sink my hands into my pockets. "I was worried about you," I shrug.
"Why?"
"Because you're my friend."
"Now who's full of shit?"
"What do you want me to say? You're married."
"Yet here you stand."
"He shouldn't have left you is what I'm getting at. Not when you can't even walk. So, yeah, here I motherfucking stand. Let me help you, Grey."
"What if he finds out?"
"He won't. It's just us. Frank hasn't been back, and Blythe's all the way in Mexico. Just one night, Grey."
Her slate eyes move up my torso. "I- I suppose… one night."
"Really?"
"You just remember what you signed up for."
"So, do you want a back massage or some shit?"
"I want a bath."
"Are you fucking with me? Like the iv thing?"
"No. Come on now."
Oh, shit… "A, uh, a bath?"
"Yes. You know, with water and soap."
"I- I know what a bath is."
"Having second thoughts about helping me?"
Holy fuck me, no! "I'll suffer through it," I shrug. Yeah, play it cool, motherfucker.
She raises her arms for me to pick her up.
I set this woman on the ledge of the bathtub. "Uh, wh- ah-" I redden when she drops her shirt to the floor and run the fuck from the room.
...
"Negan?"
Oh, fuck me, she's really naked in that goddamn tub. I get her a towel, and realize there is no way around this. "Sorry," I flush, lowering the towel in front of my dick.
"No, I'm embarrassed. I didn't think and put you in this awkward situation."
"I just," I sigh heavily, and help her from the tub.
"You what?"
"I really want to fuck you, Grey." I can't fucking believe that just crawled from my mouth.
She actually takes it rather well. "I'm flattered."
"You are?"
"Well, of course. You're the whole package." Her eyes briefly glance at my arousal.
I lean in to press my lips to hers but I'm pushed back.
"It can't happen."
"He'll never find out."
She wraps the towel tighter. "It's complicated."
"I'll let you dry off." I go stand in front of the window, wishing I could leap out of it because of what a jackass I've acted like. The poor girl can barely walk and I'm trying to put her into the wall for Christ's sake.
"Negan," she calls again.
I find her slumped against the sink. "It's okay, I've got you." She's light in my arms, not that I thought she'd be heavy, I just don't understand how her frail body can withstand all of Blythe's abuse.
"Thank you."
"Are you hungry?"
"Duh."
Grey and I order eighty-six dollars worth of Chinese takeout, and I'm certain one of us will still be hungry before the night is over. "Thought you might have lost your appetite." I hand her the little carton.
"I've got a lot to make up for. Fork?"
Did she just ask me to fuck?
She extends her small finger outward.
Oh, fork. "Here."
"I can't use these things."
"It's not that hard," I laugh, situating the chop sticks in her hand.
She lets out a frustrated groan and drops one, using the other to stab the piece of beef. "Perfect."
When she asks me what else I got, I just laugh at her. Goddamn, I missed this.
...
"I'll be back first thing in the morning."
"Alright. Thank you again."
I'm half way out the window when she calls my name. I have a seat next to her.
"Stay."
"I don't think that's a good idea, Grey."
"Please?"
"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep."
"Fine, you bastard. You win." She nudges my head to the side before her lips press against mine.
I freeze, waiting for her to pull away, but she deepens the kiss. Holy fuckedy! I slip off her wedding ring, dropping it to the floor. "Fuck him. You're mine tonight," I growl, reclaiming those rouge lips.
She tugs some on my shirt.
I pull it over my head, not even sure where it lands.
Her eyes trail up my torso. "I didn't realize how massive your body was."
"Say body again."
"Body."
"That's so fucking hot. I hope you're a talker in bed. You know what'd be fucking hot? Let me fuck you while you order us a pizza."
"What do you want on it?" She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. "I like sausage on mine."
"I've got your sausage right here."
"Yeah? Meat lovers is my favorite."
"I hope you like extra sauce, too."
"Will you clean up what runs down my chin?"
"Goddamn, woman, I think I'm in love."
"So we're ordering pizza, or?"
I reach for the phone on the night stand, setting it on the bed. "Here." I hand her the receiver and quickly dial the number.
She lets go of it and curls her fingers around my shoulders.
I scoot her shirt up some, freeing those perfect tits. Fuck me. I remember first thinking they could be bigger, but they're fucking incredible.
"Are you just going to stare?"
"Maybe…" I've never seen skin so pale, yet equally flushed. "I'll be real fucking gentle," I smirk, brushing my lips to her skin.
"Oh," she moans.
Okay, fuck this. I force her arms above her head.
"Negan," she cries, tensing up.
"Oh, Christ, I'm so fucking sorry!"
She whines in pain, cradling her arm.
"Shit! What do I do?"
"Calm yourself."
Good fucking plan. Now if only I had done that shit last fucking year. Christ, what a disa-fucking-ppointment. I tug her shirt down some, then cover her lower half with the blanket. "I'm sorry I hurt you."
"Yeah? You gonna let me slug you back?"
"Sure. I deserve it."
"You do, you big jerk."
I lie next to her, letting her put her head on my chest. "Want me to make it up to you another way?" I tug on her panties some.
"No. I've wanted you for a long time, too. Best save it."
"No shit?"
"Really? I thought it was obvious."
"It's the baseball pants, right?"
"Yes. Definitely."
"Damn, I knew I should have brought those." I can't fucking believe this woman wants me, too, but in some weird way, it kinda disappoints me.
"Maybe we could try again in the morning?"
Shit, what the hell am I doing? She's married! Fuck, I'm married! I can't bring myself to answer her.
Grey traces her fingers on my stomach. "Why didn't you ever get married?"
"Who'd wanna marry me?" I'm starting to feel guilty about these questions.
"You're not a bad man."
I'm a terrible fucking person.
"I wish we'd met sooner."
No. You don't. I'd probably do the same thing to you as I'm doing to Lucille. I still her hand because she shouldn't be touching me like this. I don't belong to her, and she needs to know that. Why is it so fucking hard though? I don't even know this woman! Yeah, fucking right. I'm an idiot for getting this close to her. "Grey, I'm married." Silence isn't really what I expected. "Grey?" I tilt my head down some.
She's softly snoring.
"Fuck," I murmur. Maybe I didn't get a chance to tell her, but this ain't fucking right. I'm ending this. Now. I am way too fucking close to this woman. This is fucking crazy. I mean, I'm in her goddamn bed for Christ's sake. I quietly get dressed and take her in one last time before I slip out the window. I'll think of something to do about Blythe, but in the meantime… goodbye.
Way to fucking keep your distance, dumbass. I'm sure she was confused when she woke up this morning. I know I said I had to end this, but I'm worried about what he's going to do to her. I open the blinds behind the TV and flip on the game. I know that it's fucking weird, but Grey is outside on her swing reading. Ever since the hospital, I don't trust Blythe and I know he fucking put her there. That conversation just confirmed it. Lucille's ex used to beat the fuck out of her, so I know a little something about the signs. I should have seen it sooner, maybe I could have done something about it and protected Grey.
Blythe pulls up to the house and slams his squad car door shut.
I sit up some as my grip on my beer tightens.
He pulls Grey up from the swing by her arm in the cast.
From here I can see the look of pain on her face. The can falls from my hand as I charge from the house. I kick Blythe's door in and find Grey unconscious in a pool of blood.
I'm hit on the back of the head with a gun as it disorients me, then it's aimed at me.
Blythe calls dispatch on his radio, giving them some number.
"Grey," I call.
"You shut the fuck up, or I'll put this on you. Forced entry and assault. How do you think the school will feel knowing one of their coaches is a woman beater? I imagine it won't go over well for you."
"Fuck you."
"On your knees or we can pile on resisting arrest."
Another squad car pulls up and a deputy, I'm sure is on Blythe's payroll, comes into the house.
It ends up being that Frank fuck. "Gonna need two pairs, Blythe."
"I should break your goddamn arm," Blythe tells me, handing over his hand cuffs to the deputy. "Take him to the station. I'll be there in a minute."
I didn't care about my record, or any of that bullshit. I fear for Grey's life after I'm taken from the house.
...
I pace furiously back and forth until Blythe steps in front of the cell.
"Did you fuck my wife?"
"No."
"Did you... fuck my wife?"
"Grey can't even look me in the eyes because she's fearful you're right around the corner."
"Good. Took me a long time to train her."
"You motherfucking motherfucker."
"You don't realize how bad I could make your life right now."
"Fuck you."
"I want you to know that I'm going to go home and beat the living fuck out of her, and every time you come near her, she's going to get it again. When it kills her, I'm going to pin the murder on you. All the time you two spend together, it's plausible you killed her because she refused to leave me."
Frank starts to laugh with Blythe.
"Did you really think you were going to touch my wife without there being consequences? You stupid hillbilly fuck."
"I think he loves her. Look at his face."
"Grey warned you that night you snuck into my house. Frank, what was it this sorry fuck said when she told him?"
"Oh, he said," Frank puffs out his chest, "you let me fucking deal with him."
"Yeah. He's gonna fucking deal with me alright. Leave him locked up. Grey and I have a date tonight," Blythe snickers.
"No," I beg. I have never begged another human being before. "Please, don't fucking hurt her."
"Please, don't hurt her," Frank mocks.
"I swear to Christ I'll leave her alone."
"Oh, there it is, Sheriff."
"I knew it. Put a bullet in him if he tries to get out. That fucking bitch is dead!"
"No!" God, no, this isn't happening!
