Off Sides

Danny's hands in mind, I look her dead in the eyes. "I can think it because I know, Danny. You're my one and only. Just like I'm yours. You know it's true."
    She smiles and then kisses me. She doesn't respond and moves her mouth to the area below my ear. She's trying to distract me but I'm not going to let it go. I'll just have to keep working on her until she either accepts my offer to help her with school or she agrees to marry me and then all of my money will be hers as well.
    For now, Danny pushes me back down onto the bed and straddles me. As she rises up, I get lost in the perfection that hovers above me. We'll discuss school and marriage later.
    ***
    The next morning, I get up early and cook Danny breakfast while she sleeps. We have a big day because Malone's arraignment is today and she wants to be present. And there's no way I'm letting her go alone.
    Then I have to go see Coach and fill him in on everything. Given the criminal charges against me, I'm fully prepared to lose my Captaincy. Hell, I may get tossed off the team. Again, I still can't have a single regret for what I did.
    I'm flipping pancakes when Paula walks in. Her hair is sticking up all over the place and she's rubbing her eyes.
    "G'mornin'," she mumbles. "Danny still sleeping?"
    "Good morning, sunshine. How many pancakes do you want? And yes, Sleeping Beauty is still...well...sleeping."
    Paula holds up two fingers to indicate her pancake preference and pours herself a cup of coffee.
    "How's she doing?" she asks me quietly.
    "She's okay. Her face is a little sore but she's otherwise doing fine."
    I finish Paula's pancakes for her and hand her the plate. I turn the stove off.
    "Can I ask you something?"
    Paula looks at me while stuffing a fork full into her mouth then nods.
    "I offered to help Danny go back to Julliard, but she won't let me. So I offered her marriage, and she looked at me like I was crazy. What in the hell am I doing wrong?"
    Paula looks at me like I am the biggest dumbass on the face of the earth. She swallows her food and takes a sip of coffee. "Seriously, Ryan. You're such a dumbass."
    See, what'd I tell you?
    "What is so wrong with me wanting to help her fulfill her dreams?" I sound petulant but I can't help it. I don't see how I can be wrong about this.
    "Listen up and listen hard. I'm going to give you the best advice you've ever had." She pauses for dramatic effect, and then says, "Wait."
    I anticipate more pearls of wisdom but none are forthcoming.
    "That's it? Just 'wait'?"
    Paula nods.
    "And that's really the best advice I've ever had?"
    "You can thank me at any time." She grins at me.
    I sigh. "Please expound just a little bit more. My brain is apparently not comprehending you right now."
    Paula pushes her plate back and picks up her mug of coffee. Sitting back in her seat, she looks at me with a smile. "You're a good man, Ryan. All you need to do is give our Danny some time and she'll come around. She's been through a lot lately. I'm telling you, just give her time and let your offers sink in. My girl is no dummy. She'll meet you halfway, I guarantee it."
    The pressure in my chest eases up and I smile fully at Paula. "Thanks. That makes me feel a ton better."
    "What makes you feel a ton better?" Danny asks as she pads into the kitchen, her eyes heavy with sleep.
    Her hair is a knotted mess, probably due to our activities last night. She walks up to me and crawls onto my lap. I rub my nose along the side of hers and say, "Oh, nothing. Paula was giving me a home remedy for some heartburn I've been having."
    Danny yawns and snuggles into me. "That's nice," she says sleepily.
    I look over the top of her head at Paula who gives me a conspiratorial wink.
    I wink back and hug my girl.

CHAPTER 16

    Danny

    The arraignment hearing is over and it couldn't have gone any better. Reece pled not guilty but was denied bail. It was painful sitting in the same room as him. I couldn't not help but think about how close he came to destroying me. I shudder imagining it and Ryan squeezes my hand.
    Ryan sure did a number on him. His nose is in a splint and the district attorney said he has to have surgery on it. The rest of his face is covered with cuts and bruises. I glance at Ryan and he is glaring daggers at Reece.
    After Court, Ryan drops Paula and me back at my apartment. He has a class to go to and then hockey practice. I have a shift at the diner. We make plans for him to come over to my place tonight after I get off work.
    The