Off Sides

a few hours ago. I can't see what he's doing but when he pulls back from the bag and turns to me, my breath freezes in my lungs.
    Held in his hands is a violin case. "Will you play for me?"
    I look at him and his eyes are wary because he knows I would not want him buying anything for me. I clasp my hands in my lap and look down at them. The tears are filling up in my eyes and yet my fingers itch to take the instrument.
    "Before you say no, Danny, please know that I need to give this to you. I need you to be complete and you can't be until you have music back in your life."
    Oh, how those words affect me. Ryan is trying to make my life complete. What have I done to deserve that from him? I look up to him and a single tear falls down my cheek. He reaches out and wipes it away.
    "Please let me do this for you," he begs.
    I reach out and my hands are shaking as I take the case from him. I lay it gently on the blanket and pop the clasps to open it. Inside is a gleaming Bazzini violin. I rub my fingers lightly over the wood and look back at him.
    "Thank you," I whisper. "It's beautiful."
    "Play it for me," he demands softly.
    Lifting the violin out of the case, I take measure of its size and weight. It feels strange in my hands and I feel an overwhelming sense of grief over the violin that I had sold a few months ago to help pay for my mom's medical expenses. I had had it since I was eleven years old and it was like losing an old friend.
    I look into the case and there is a small pitch pipe. I pick it up and blow on the A note. I pluck the corresponding string on the violin and it rings true. I do each of the successive strings, only having to make a small tweak to each tuner.
    Glancing at Ryan I see he is watching me intently. He gives me an encouraging smile.
    I pick up the instrument and tuck it under my chin. I tighten the bow, draw it over the rosin and quickly run through the scales in each key. I'm rusty and awkward but I don't care. The simple notes coming out are beautiful in a way that only a music lover would appreciate.
    Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and I start playing Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 in A . The music is ingrained in me and the notes come out smoother and cleaner with every second that passes. I immerse myself in the sound, in the vibrations running through my hand, in the way the strings are cutting into my fingers because I've lost my callouses from lack of play. My heart swells with the music and I can feel tears leaking out of my eyes, but I keep playing. I don't want to stop, ever again.
    After what could be minutes or hours, awareness of the outside world sweeps back in as I play out the last, long notes of the piece. I inhale shakily and let it come out slowly. And then I hear loud applause and my eyes spring open. Several people have gathered nearby and were listening to me play. I give them a small smile and then turn to look at Ryan.
    He has a light sheen in his eyes and it's clear he is deeply moved. I just stare at this incredible man who has given me back something that I honestly didn't think I would ever have again. And then I throw myself into his arms and kiss his face all over, whispering I Love You's with every touch of my lips. He takes the violin from my hands and sets it aside. Pushing me back down to the blanket, he rolls over on top of me, framing my face with his hands.
    "Thank you," I whisper.
    "My pleasure," he replies and kisses me again. When he pulls back, he grins wickedly at me. "You know, that was really hot. Think I can get you to play for me naked while you straddle me?"
    I burst out laughing. "I think I can arrange something."

CHAPTER 13

    Ryan

    The sun is streaming in through the window of my room and it’s hitting Danny on the head, making it look like she’s wearing a halo. She's so cute lying there...on her stomach...studying. She has a pencil gripped between her teeth and her brow is furrowed. I'm sitting at my desk, trying to get studying done of my own, but it's not working. I keep looking over at her and find myself getting lost.
    I smile because apparently Danny has figured something out. Her scowl disappears, and one cute dimple peaks out. She erases something with her pencil and writes something else instead. She looks extremely satisfied with herself.
    Oh, to hell with studying.
    I stand up from my chair and walk over to my bed. Danny is deep in thought and doesn't pay any attention to me.
    I'll change that.
    I quickly cover her body