Page 27 of Puck Me

Noah’s eyes flick between us. Storm and I are under the same blanket and Storm’s arms are wrapped around me from behind. I’m leaning back against his chest and his chin is resting on the top of my head.

“No, that’s okay. You two enjoy your movie.”

“It’s a marathon,” I say proudly.

Noah raises an eyebrow. “Well, you’re dedicated, I’ll give you that much. I gave up on those godforsaken movies after he made me watch them for the fifth time. I always fell asleep during the marathons.”

“It was his idea.”

Noah groans. “God help me, you’ve found another one like you. I’ll leave you two maniacs to it, then.”

He waves over his shoulder as he leaves. My lips stretch into a smile. The expression feels unfamiliar on my face, but I like it.

“He’ll still watch them with me,” I tell Storm. “He says he won’t, but if I’m having a really bad day, he always offers. It doesn’t make me feel any better, but it’s a distraction, and it’s comforting. He really doesn’t do well with the marathons, though. He’s usually snoring before Gandalf frees Théoden.”

Storm chuckles. “Well, I won’t be snoring, I can promise you that much. Besides, falling asleep before the Battle of Helms Deep would be a cardinal sin.”

“Exactly! Last time, he fell asleep just as Gimli was asking for the box. Who does that?”

“Someone crazier than we are, clearly.”

I pull the blanket up higher around my chin and settle back into Storm’s chest. Boromir is about to die and I’m sure I’m going to cry, but these aren’t bad tears.I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are an evil.

Fuck, I really need to stop quotingLord of the Rings. I’m even doing it to myself now.

“Is this our first date?” I ask as I dry my eyes while Storm puts onThe Two Towers.

“No way! I’m doing a proper first date—with roses and dinner and a kiss goodnight on your doorstep.”

I must admit, that does sound appealing. “Where do you want to go?”

“It’ll be a surprise.”

“I hate surprises,” I grumble.

“Alright, no surprises, then. Where doyouwant to go?”

“I don’t know.” My surprisingly good mood takes a dip. “I don’t know if it’ll matter. I don’t enjoy much anymore. Let’s just go somewhere you like.”

“No, I want to do something that you at least have a chance of enjoying. Tell me what kinds of dates would have appealed to you before.”

“Usually adventure dates, like rock climbing or paragliding. Of course, those aren’t options right now.” I glance down at the blankets, which are hiding my useless leg.

Storm quickly changes the subject. “Something else, then. How about we go bowling? I can help hold you up from one side while you bowl with the other hand.”

It’s a sweet offer, but it fails to pique my interest. “Honestly, I don’t feel like I’m up for much right now. Everything is just so exhausting… I’m sorry. I know I suck. This isn’t what you wanted when you invited me out on a date.”

“What I wanted was to spend time with you. What we do isn’t as important as being together. How about we just go out for dinner, then?”

“Dinner I can probably handle,” I say slowly. “Are you sure? It’s a fairly standard first date.”

“It’s standard for a reason—because it’s a good one. Besides, I tend to prefer my dates a bit tamer than you do. If you invited me to go paragliding, I might have run for the hills.”

Storm’s eyes are twinkling as he looks at me.

“Fair enough. Dinner it is, then.”

Noah comes back to check on us in the evening, only to find us still happily watchingLord of the Rings, now chowing down on pizza.

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