Page 41 of Puck Me

Noah would beat Storm’s ass if he found out. I wouldn’t really call him while Storm was here, but the threat is enough to have Storm backing up a step.

“I suppose there’s nothing more to say. I wish we could leave on better terms.”

“Yeah, well, you don’t get to decide that, do you? Just leave me the hell alone, Storm.”

So Storm leaves, taking my heart with him.

I collapse back on the bed, finally allowing my tears to spring free. How could everything go so wrong so quickly? And who the hell is this stalker of mine? I decide I don’t care much. I don’t care much about anything anymore. Without Storm, everything suddenly seems gray and lifeless. I didn’t realize how much color and vitality he brought to my life until he walked out of the door.

I want more than anything to call him back, but it would serve no purpose. Storm has made his choice. He abandoned me again.

“What happened?”

I knew Noah would figure out something was up, but I didn’t expect him to catch on within seconds of catching sight of my face.

“Nothing.” I don’t want to talk about Storm. Talking about it will make it real and I’m not ready for it to be more real than it already is.

“Bullshit. Do you need me to call Storm.”

I flinch but don’t say anything.

“Did something happen with Storm?” Noah guesses.

Fuck, I suppose I may as well own up now. It’s only a matter of time before he figures it out anyway.

“Storm and I split up.”

“What?What happened?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Like hell it doesn’t. What did he do? I’m going to kill him.”

“Please don’t. I don’t particularly want to lose you to a murder charge.”

I suspect that trying to explain to Noah that I still care about Storm won’t go down well right now. This argument seems to have more of an effect on him. Noah sighs and runs his hand through his hair.

“Okay. What do you need right now?”

I need Storm back, but that’s not an option.

“Distract me.” Maybe not thinking about Storm will make the hole he left in my chest ache slightly less.

“I can do that. Tell me about the trial. How is your leg doing?”

That’s a good strategy. The thought of my recent progress is almost enough to make my smile. Almost.

“Xavier is very happy with my progress. We think that the treatment is working. I’ll need to be very careful because during treatment the muscles are more vulnerable to tearing, so a fall or an unexpected pulling movement could undo all of my progress and then some. However, as long as I’m careful, I should continue to make the strides I’ve been making.”

“That’s great news! Has Xavier updated your prognosis yet?”

“He won’t say, but I can tell that he’s hopeful. I… I can’t help wondering if I might be able to play again, if the trial keeps going as well as it has been.”

Noah squeezes my hand. “We can hope. Don’t pin all your hopes on that, though. Let’s just take things one step at a time.”

“That’s what Xavier keeps saying. I suppose I can only try to be patient.”

“Yeah, because we know how good you are at being patient.”

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