Ian, Can You Pick Me Up?
Actual Chapter 15
Ian's POV
The shrill ringing of my phone breaks the dead silence of my bedroom thus pulling me from my relaxing slumber. Rolling around in bed I reluctantly reach for my cell phone. It's two in the morning, who could possibly be calling me? Blinking my eyes rapidly to adjust to the lit up screen I squint my eyes to view the name.
Lucy Goosey.
Releasing a heavy sigh I accept the call and fall back down into my pillows.
"Hey Luce, what's up?" I mumble in a groggy tone.
The line is silent for a moment making me wonder if she accidently called me.
"Lucy? You there?" I ask yet again.
Just as I am about to hang up the phone I hear a heavy sob emit from the other side of the phone.
"Ian… Can you—Can you come pick me up please?" Lucy's broken voice sobs.
Shooting up in bed I throw my sheets off of my body and jump out of bed.
"What's wrong Lucy? Where are you? Are you—Are you hurt?"
I nearly fall over on my ass while attempting to shove my legs into a pair of jeans.
"Something happened and… and I just need you. Please Ian." Lucy's cries leaves a heavy feeling in my heart.
"Where are you honey?"
Yanking my shirt on over my head I grab my shoes and bolt down the apartment stairwell towards my car. Jumping into my car I sit here in reverse waiting to hear which way I need to go.
"Lucy, where are you honey?" I ask calmly once more trying to get the necessary information out of her.
"I uh, well I don't know exactly." Lucy pauses for a moment in attempt to calm her shaky tone.
"What is around you? Are you at someone's house or a business?" I try to prod a bit, bringing her distracted mind back to our conversation.
"Um everything is closed but I see a diner across the street named Ross's. As for street signs uh all I see is it is off of 22nd street but I cannot see the cross street. I'm really close to the highway which I'm pretty sure is highway 10."
Smiling to myself I feel relief wash over me now having a better idea as to where she is and head off in that direction.
"Ian my phone is dying, I only have one percent left." Lucy whimpers clearly terrified.
Panic runs through me and I feel chills running down my spine at the thought of Lucy located in a not overly safe area without her phone.
"If the diner is still open why don't you go wait in there for me to come get you so I know you are safe?"
"Okay… But Ian, please h—." Lucy's phone dies before she can finish her sentence.
Pressing harder on the gas petal I speed down the highway to find Lucy. My mind is racing with confusion as to what type of trouble my twenty-one year old coworker has managed to find herself in at the middle of the night on a Saturday.
Roughly twenty minutes later I locate the diner Lucy is at. Pulling into a front row spot I quickly shut off my car and run inside to find Lucy. The diner is deserted and yet I cannot seem to pinpoint Lucy.
"Hey sugar, sit wherever you want." A middle aged woman from behind the counter shouts my way when she hears the bell attached to the door jingle.
Running a nervous hand through my hair I feel my fear bubbling up yet again. Where could she be?
"Actually, I am looking for a friend of mine. Has a petite woman in her early twenties come in here within the last fifteen minutes maybe?"
The tall redheaded woman runs her eyes up and down me for a moment with a judgmental look.
She nods her head to the row of secluded booths tucked down the narrow hall to her right.
"Last booth on your left. She is beaten up pretty bad. I made her some toast and gave her some water for her to munch on while she waited for you."
"Thank you so much!" Sighing in relief I all but run down to the booth she said.
"Lucy?"
My heart breaks at the sight in front of me. My adorable and kind hearted costar is all scrapped up with bruises on what used to be beautiful porcelain skin. Her black mini, and boy do I mean mini, dress is torn as well. Her perfectly crafted makeup is now smeared on her face clearly from her heavy sobs.
"Ian," She whispers sounding broken.
Sitting down next to her I carefully wrap my arm around her waist. Lucy falls into my chest and holds on tight to me.
"What happened tonight, Goose?" I ask softly before placing a kiss to the top of her head.
Lucy shakes her head as an indication she cannot discuss it right now. Pulling her delicately out of the booth I inform her she needs to go to the doctor. Lucy tried to protest but I knew not going wasn't an option. She is marked up really bad and based on the horrid wincing she makes every time she moves even half an inch, I can tell something is badly hurt.
I place a ten dollar bill on the table to pay for her food prior to carrying her out to my car. She didn't mutter a single word the entire drive to the ER. She did however lace her left hand with mine and keep ahold of it in her lap during the drive.
LB
Lucy and I were at the hospital for a couple of hours. Thankfully by some miracle nothing is broken despite a badly sprained ankle and wrist.
Lucy hasn't said much about what happened tonight. She asked to talk to the doctors alone initially but then asked I be brought back into the room during the exam. I held her hand for as much of it as I could and averted my eyes when they undressed her to treat some of her cuts.
"I'm sorry for getting you up in the middle of the night, Ian." Lucy says lowly once the nurse leaves the room for Lucy to redress.
"It is no problem at all Goose. I am glad you called me. You know I will always come whenever you need me 24/7."
Due to Lucy's limited range of motion from her sore torso I offer to slip her dress back on her. We slipped it on her so it was mainly located on her hips to cover more of her bruised thighs and to keep the tight fitting bodice off of her sensitive torso. I remove my navy blue hoodie to slip over her head thus covering her up. The faintest smile can be detected on her light pink lips and she snuggles into the warm hoodie.
A few minutes later a nurse returns to the room with Lucy's discharge paperwork and a prescription for pain meds. Lucy doesn't protest one bit when I scoop her up in my arms to carry her back out to my car much like I had earlier this evening.
I decide to take Lucy back to my apartment for the remainder of the evening to ensure she is okay and has someone to look after her.
It is just shy of five am by the time I park my car in the apartment complex lot. Clearly the meds they gave her at the ER are working because Lucy has been in and out of it the entire drive here. She doesn't even open her eyes when I remove her from the car and carry her up four flights of stairs to the top floor.
By the time we have entered my bedroom Lucy has begun snoring ever so softly. Due to my sheets already being tossed on the floor from my rapid fleeing of my bed earlier in the night it is easy to lay her down in bed. Grabbing the now cold sheets I tuck Lucy in then gently kiss her forehead.
"Night my Goose."
I retreat off towards my couch in the living room in hopes of getting at least a couple hours of sleep in before Lucy wakes up.
Lucy's POV
"Do you want to get out of here?" I hear the man who I believed to be named Steven mutter in my ear seductively. His hands squeeze my hips firmly to pull my ass back firmly on his crotch to feel his stirring erection that I have been rubbing up on all night.
Nodding my head swiftly I tell him to lead the way.
We scurry out of he packed night club and head off towards his car. I had been drinking majority of the night whereas he had only been sipping on drinks here and there. He slips his grey coat on me over my shoulders to keep me warm during the walk out to his car due to the cool temperature this evening.
Steven assists me into the passenger seat then rounds the car to start up the sleek looking black BMW.
Unable to remain in my seat during this seemingly long drive I find myself leaning across the small gap between us to kiss his neck. My hand slips down his chest to loosen several of the buttons on his shirt before dropping my hand down to his lap. Steven releases a harsh groan at the feeling of my teeth nipping on his neck and my hand slipping into his boxers.
"Fuck keep going." His grip on the steering wheel tightens tremendously when I whisper my desires into his ear.
The long sleeves on his jacket continue getting in the way of my hand's intended movements. Rolling my eyes in annoyance I sit back for a moment to discard the unnecessary article of clothing. When doing so I feel something cool slide down my leg and fall at my feet. Reaching down out of curiosity I search for the unknown item. My heart stops the moment my fingers grasp the cool metal item and I realize exactly what I am holding.
A gold wedding band.
"You're married?" I shriek in shock.
Steven awkwardly laughs for a moment as if it were no big deal. "Well, technically yes but…"
"But what!" I scream at him. "You are married! What, were you taking me to some hotel then going to go home to your wife in the morning as if nothing happened?"
"No, of course not!" He reaches over to place his hand on my thigh under my short dress. "My wife is out of town with the kids. We have the house to ourselves."
I shove his hand off of my leg as if his touch burned my skin. "Kids? No. This isn't happening. I want you to take me home now."
Slowing down for the red light in front of us he looks over at me with the sexy smirk he had been giving me all night in the club. "Come on baby, you have been feeling naughty all night. I'm sure the moment I get you out of this sexy little dress you won't be saying no."
"Don't touch me!" I slap his hand away once again when it finds itself on my bare thigh. "I said no, now take me home. Or just let me out here. I don't care which, but nothing more is happening between us."
Steven chuckles darkly making my skin crawl. "Not gonna happen sweetheart."
"I said let me out!"
Looking ahead I notice the next light turning yellow. Now is my chance. Reaching to unlock the door I attempt to fling the door open. Steven roughly grasps ahold of my arm firmly holding me into the still moving vehicle. We struggle continuously as I fight to get out.
Just as I think he is about to stop the car for the now red light I move to jerk my weight away from him. The only thing I wasn't expecting was for him to speed up with the intention to run the light expecting me to remain in the vehicle.
Next thing I know I am falling out the side of the sports car and tumbling along the rough asphalt. The momentum in my body causes me to tumble right down the slight ditch on the side of the road. Lifting my head barely I see the taillights of his car racing away rapidly driving off into the night.
I lay here for a moment unable to move my aching body. Everything is screaming in protest when I attempt to push myself up into a sitting position. It takes a few minutes for my mind to register what just happened.
In this moment I couldn't be happier that I chose to not bother with carrying a clutch tonight and opted to keep my phone, ID, and credit card in my bra not wanting to be responsible for keeping track of my own purse. Pulling my phone out of my light blue bra I dial the one person I know will come save me without pressuring me to answer any questions.
Ian Harding.
LB
My body jolts awake in shock. My eyes jump around the unfamiliar room nervously, unsure of my current location. Glancing down at my body I see I am wearing a hoodie and can feel my dress is barely around my waist. I look around for my phone only to come up with nothing.
Throwing the dark grey comforter off of my body I force myself out of bed. My ragged breath increases in panic realizing I have no idea where I am nor what took place last night.
Just as I place my right foot down on the cool hardwood flooring I find myself involuntarily shrieking in pain and tumbling to the ground. An even louder gasp of pain escapes my lips in response to the slightest of pressure being placed on my right wrist in hopes of catching myself during the fall.
Whimpering in pain I close my eyes and curl up into the fetal position feeling helpless.
The rushing of heavy footprints along the floor cause me to panic yet again. The unknown person is rapidly headed my way clearly knowing I have woken up.
"Lucy! What happened little Goose?" The ever so soft and worried voice of my beloved costar Ian Harding asks.
My head shoots up in a mixture of shock and happiness. "Ian! What are you… What?"
Ian instantly cradles my aching body into his lap. "You called me last night to come pick you up. I wanted to make sure you were okay so I brought you here for the night. I am glad you are finally awake."
I stare at him in confusion for a moment.
"Do you remember what happened last night?" Ian's warm blue eyes roam my clearly confused face.
Shaking my head briefly, I snuggle deeper into his cozy chest. "I remember bits and pieces. The last thing I remember is trying to call you for help."
"Why don't we uh get you back in bed before we run through last night?"
Ian moves to rise up on his feet with me still cradled in his arms. I pause his actions just prior to him setting me down on his mattress.
"Can you um actually help me into the bathroom first?" I ask shyly noticing my sudden urge to pee.
Ian laughs with his adorable grin then nods in agreement. He delicately places me on my feet right inside of the bathroom door. As a true gentleman he pulls the door shut behind him then waits for me to inform him I am done.
Unfortunately due to my throbbing right wrist I cannot seem to pry this tight dress off the remainder of my body. I struggle for the longest time before finally giving up and shouting for Ian. Without muttering a word, he simply kneels down in front of me and pulls the offending garment off of me. I smile ever so softly in appreciation then shoo him back out of the bathroom.
Once I have taken care of my personal needs I inform Ian he can come back in. I had wanted to walk back to the bed myself though we both quickly realized that wasn't much of an option. I couldn't help but feel my heart flutter every time he scoops me up in his arms so effortlessly as if I am as light as a feather.
Ian gently places me back in his bed and helps me readjust the pillows so I am sitting up. Ian takes a seat on the edge of his mattress facing me with his hand resting on my lap over the comforter.
"First of all, how are you feeling? I know you must be in pain. It's time for you to take your meds, well actually you should have taken them two hours ago but you were passed out in a very deep slumber."
I tilt my head to the side in complete confusion. "Medication? I don't take anything. How long have I been asleep anyway"?
Ian nod his head and rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.
"After I picked you up from the diner last night I took you to the hospital since you were banged up pretty bad. They said you didn't break anything though you did sprain your right wrist and right ankle very badly during your fall. You also did quite a number on your knees; specifically your right knee which has to be treated daily to prevent infection."
I stare at him in shock, blinking my eyes unsure of what to say in response.
"The hospital prescribed you an antibiotic as well as Hydrocodone for your pain. You need to eat with both of them; is there anything in particular you'd like for me to make you or order in for dinner?"
"Wait, dinner? Ian what time is it?" I ask in a sudden panic.
"Oh uh, just after five in the evening." He responds, unsure as to why I am suddenly panicking.
"WHAT!" I shout. Throwing the covers off of me yet again I attempt to get up. "I have to go get Jack. Oh my god. He hasn't had breakfast or even dinner! He needs to go potty!"
"Woah, woah, wait." Ian places his warm hands on my side to keep me firmly in bed. "I already stopped by your apartment this morning to pick him up. He is here along with his container of food and his bed that I found in your bedroom. He is perfectly content in the living room chewing on a large bone I picked up for him on the way home."
A wave of relief washes over me and I can finally settle back down. "Thank you Ian. You are truly one of a kind."
I place a lingering kiss to his cheek as a way of showing my appreciation which causes him to blush faintly. Biting my bottom lip I struggle not to smile as well.
"I would kill for some of your delicious fettuccini and garlic bread if you have the necessary ingredients?" I mutter after a moment of comfortable silence.
Ian nods his head swiftly in confirmation and offers to go check the pantry. Pulling the sheets up to my chest, I smile to myself at the fact I am lounging in his bed about to eat dinner with him.
LB
Ian ended up cooking his signature pasta for me as I requested. The two of us lounged in his bed eating dinner as we watched countless episodes of Friends on his flat screen TV. Jack remained nuzzled between our legs at the foot of the bed chewing away on his stuffed ice cream toy Ian took from my apartment this morning.
After dinner Ian disappeared from the bedroom to wash up our dishes.
When he returns to the room I release a heavy sigh and attempt to stretch my screaming muscles.
"Do you want to take a warm bath or anything to see if that might sooth some of the pain away?" Ian offers with a look of sympathy.
I dwell over the pros and cons of how much water on my cut up skin is going to sting verse how relaxing it would be for my muscles. After a moment I nod my head in agreement.
"That'd be perfect, thank you."
Ian offers to fill up the tub for me allowing me to remain in bed as long as possible.
Roughly fifteen minutes later he enters the bedroom to inform me the tub is ready. Yet again he picks me up and carries me into the bathroom. I smile brightly when I see he made it a bubble bath and even lit a few candles around the bathroom. He grabs a large white fluffy towel from the shelf next to the shower and places it on the little table next to the bathtub.
"If you need anything just shout. I'm going to fold and put away the mass loads of laundry I have been putting off." Ian grins his adorable boyish grin at me then slips out of the bathroom.
Glancing over towards the door I notice he left it open a couple inches in order to hear me if I need him. Pulling his hoodie over my head I drop it to the floor along with my panties. Ever so carefully I ease into the water with as much caution towards my ankle as I can.
Sinking down into the water I cannot help but to moan in bliss. The warm bubbly water, the darkness of the room only lit by candlelight all together make me feel the most relaxed I have been in quite some time.
I remain in the tub for an unknown length of time. Ian popped in to check on me at some point and told me I should probably get out due to my body drifting in and out of sleep.
Getting out of the tub was nowhere near as easy as getting in. Ian helped me with full discretion get out of the tub and dry off. He acted as a perfect gentleman when assisting me in redressing in a pair of his light blue boxers and a dark blue knit t-shirt.
He tucks me into his bed yet again. I smile when I see he brought Jack's dog bed into the room and placed it next to the bed. Jack however barks at Ian wanting to be placed on the bed with me. Ian does as my little dog wishes without hesitation.
"You don't know how relieved I am to know you are safe. So many things could have happened to you last night Goose." Ian's voice wavers, full of emotions.
Tearing my eyes away from his I struggle to keep my tears at bay. "I know, I wasn't thinking clearly last night. I went to that club with all of the wrong intentions. I was upset and seeking the wrong kind of attention."
"Why did you go, Luce?" His voice is barely above a whisper at this point.
Shrugging my shoulders I avoid his question. When he presses a little harder I am forced to answer with the utter most honesty.
"Filming yesterday really got to me. I've had all of these feelings lately building up and then at work it just hit me full force. I went to that club alone in hopes of screwing around with some random guy as if he could fill the void for the evening."
Ian scoots even closer to me leaving virtually no gap between us. "Feelings about what? I am worried about you Goose; you've been so different and out of character lately."
Closing my eyes I gnaw on my bottom lip. Taking a deep breath I decide to live in the moment. It is now or never.
"You. My feelings for you are only growing with time. Filming that passionate scene yesterday where our characters were fighting to remain together really hit me. You and I are never going to have that as Ian and Lucy."
Ian's hand slips under my chin to tilt my face up to look him in the eye. He has the biggest smile growing on his face at my confession.
"Who says we can never have that ourselves?"
I scoff at his simplistic question. He knows there is nothing simple about this situation. Our boss, Marlene, made it painstakingly clear Ian and I were not to engage in a personal intimate relationship due to the show. Reminding Ian of this he merely rolls his eyes and says we can do whatever we wish when Marlene is absent.
I open my mouth to reply to him only to fall short. I am not exactly sure what to say here. I have had feelings for him since the moment we met during our chemistry test. I had tried dating around with the intent to move past my desires for Ian though I have failed every single time.
Ian decides to take the next step prior to my verbal response.
Seconds later I feel Ian's smooth, delicate lips pressed against my own. My eyes flutter shut and I lean into the kiss. I moan ever so softly into his mouth from his tongue grazing my lower lip. Ian's large hand grasps ahold of the side of my face as our kiss begins to heat up.
Pulling apart due to lack of oxygen I giggle in relief. For the first time in nearly two years I am getting what I have dreamed of every night.
"Why don't we continue this in the morning when you are more awake? We can figure everything out then."
Nodding my head in agreement I smile a true happy smile for the first time in quite some time. Ian hands me my glass of water to drink along with a pain pill. My final round of pain meds for the evening begin to kick in almost instantly.
Ian ensures I am all tucked in and settled in bed. He presses a lingering kiss to my forehead then informs me he plans on sleeping in the living room. I all but beg him to stay in bed and cuddle with me for the evening.
It doesn't take much persuading for him to agree. Ian strips down to his boxers then slips underneath the sheets. His arms wrap lovingly around my body to hold on to my petite frame.
I could easily get used to this feeling. With one final kiss to my neck I am drifting off to sleep.
LB
A heavy pounding on the front door causes Ian and I to both stir from our peaceful slumber. Little baby Jack is barking up a storm, clearly unhappy he has been woken up as well.
"I'll go see what it is. I'll be right back." Ian grumbles in distaste.
Ian stumbles off towards the door with Jack in tow. My exhausted body makes it difficult to remain awake. On the other hand, the loud shouting emitting from the living makes it equally as difficult to return to sleep.
"You missed my friend's event Ian. You were supposed to meet me at eight o'clock and yet you never showed or even bothered answering your phone. I have been calling all night long."
Ian sighs heavily. "I am sorry. Something came up last night so I slept most of today. I haven't even looked at my phone." Ian attempts to explain to the disgruntled person though it doesn't seize the yelling.
"Oh yes, I know ALL about that! There are photos all over the internet and social media of you carrying Lucy Hale around in and out of the hospital and driving off with her in your car. Care to explain that?"
There is a very long pause of utter silence.
"She is here, isn't she? That is her dog so she has to be here!" The unknown voice shouts. I can tell the person is nearing the bedroom due to the voice becoming slightly clearer as well as louder to hear.
My body stiffens when the bedroom light is flipped on to reveal Sophie, Ian's girlfriend, standing in the doorway. I know they have been on and off again here and there. Based on her current presence and reaction to my occupying Ian's bed I would say they are most likely together at the moment. Well, for the time being that is.
"Why in the hell is she in your bed Ian!" Sophie all but screams at him while giving me a death glare.
I shift uncomfortably in the bed feeling undeniably awkward. Ian flips the lights off with an apologetic look then shuts the door. I can still hear their raised voices through the thin walls though it is rather muffled now.
"She got hurt last night. I brought her hear to take care of her; I am not making her sleep on my crappy couch when she is injured."
"Okay, fine I will accept that. However, that doesn't explain why you were clearly asleep in here with her. There are no pillows or blankets on the couch and you took an awfully long time to answer the door which means you must have been in here." Sophie fires back with a new wave of rage.
Ian is quiet for several minutes before answering Sophie in a low voice. I strain my ears in hopes of hearing his response.
"I was planning on meeting up with you tomorrow for us to have a talk…" He trails off gently.
"No need," Sophie spats harshly. "It is crystal clear what is going on here. Don't bother calling me when this doesn't work out."
Roughly thirty seconds later there is a loud slamming noise echoing through the apartment from Sophie yanking the front door shut behind her.
Ian returns to the bedroom a couple minutes later.
"I can go Ian. I am so sorry to have come between you two. I just—I really should leave." Tears well up in my eyes.
Happiness never seems to be something I can have for more than a couple hours. Ian rushes to the side of the bed and pleads for me not to go anywhere. He assures me I am not ruining anything and I am exactly where he has always dreamed I would be.
Ian lifts up the comforter and eases into the bed with slight hesitation in fear of my reaction. I merely offer a weak smile up at him. Ian presses a sweet kiss to my forehead as a way of saying everything is going to be okay.
"You will always be my number one choice, Goose." Ian wraps his arms loosely around my waist and pulls me in closer to his chest.
We share one last kiss then allow sleep to overcome us yet again.
Maybe happiness does last for longer than a few hours. I have a feeling I am about to experience the real meaning of happiness for the first time in my life all because of this sexy man next to me.
Hope this was okay. Honestly didn't like how this turned out; it was nothing like how I had imagined it in my head. But it is what it is I guess.
I have been working on Chapter ten to Good Things Happen with Time. I am intending on posting that this weekend as long as I have time to write the last little bit!
Thank you for all of your reviews! You can remain updated on the status of updates by following my twitter: EzriaLover4Ever