Fourth Down - 9. Chapter 9

It was the morning of my being discharged from the hospital. I lay there in my hospital bed, just looking up at the paneled ceiling, wondering what my future would be like living with Dale. Would we get along, would we end up fighting and ruining our friendship? Would my crushing on him make things awkward? His actions over the past week seemed to tell me that he likes me, or is that just wishful thinking?

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door, “Morning Hunter.” came the voice of a young nurse entering my room. “I am just here to take your morning obs before we prepare you for discharge.” She then took my blood pressure, and a few other things before leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I was both excited and scared. Excited that I would be in close proximity to this man, and scared that everything is going to blow up in my face. If he had liked me, would he now consider me as damaged goods? Am I even worth being someone’s boyfriend? Surely he could do better, deserves better. I am just weak. I let someone smaller than me control me. Use me for his own sexual desires. I am nothing but a worthless piece of meat. A hole for someone to use and abuse. Is that why he wants me so close? Is he wanting to do to me what Mayson did? Silent tears rolled down my face as these demoralising thoughts ran through my head. I just wish I was dead. My friends are just being nice to me. No one really cares, and why should they. I am just a dumb good for nothing jock.

I am jolted from my thoughts as a hand suddenly touches my shoulder. “Hunter?” Rolling over I see a guy who helped find me. A guy who flew from one state to another, when he first found out I was missing. A guy who dropped everything, for me. Evan, my best friend. I just grab him, and sob into his shoulder. How could I think my best friend would not want to be there for me. He’s changing schools just so he can be closer to me.

After a minute or so I calm down, “You are not alone.” he says. “We’ve got you.”

I feel another hand on my shoulder and look into the most beautiful blue eyes. So full of compassion, and something else. Love? I reach for his hand and squeeze it.

“Come on.” Dale says, lets get your things together so we can move you into your new digs.”

When did they get here? Madox was already packing away the few belongings I had in the hospital with me. The door to the bathroom opened and out walked Vicky with my toiletry bag. While they were busy with that, my nurse walked in talking to both my parents, about my future treatment plans as an outpatient, I had appointments with both my psychologist and physiotherapist to attend, the later I heard was working with Coach Carter on a rehab program to do while the others on the team were practising.

They soon had me in my parents' rental, and we were on our way to Dale’s. Opening the front door to his apartment, Dale let’s me walk in first. The apartment looks open planned similar to my old one. There was the kitchen with a breakfast bar facing the front door, to the right of that was a little nook with a round dinner table in front of a window, overlooking the park outside. To my immediate right, was a large flat screen tv, with a few game systems hooked up. He had somehow gotten hold of both a PS5 and an XBox Series X, I heard they were quite hard to get so soon after launch. In front of the TV sat a comfy looking couch. Next to the dining area, I found the bathroom, equipped with both a bathtub and shower. To the right of the TV area were the doors leading to each of the bed rooms.

“Yours is the one next to the bathroom.” Dale said.

Opening the door to my new room, I am taken aback at how nice it looks. A double bed sat to the left of the door, tucked right into the corner, at the foot of the bed in front of one of two windows was a desk with a new laptop sitting on top. And a closet to the left of it. Upon opening the closet I find that it is full of new clothes.

“Dale, these are not mine.” I say

“They are.” he responds, standing next to me. “We all chipped in together to replace the stuff that Mayson threw out, and no you do not owe us anything. You did not ask for what happened to you.”

A few tears escape my eyes at the love my friends have for me, just this morning I was feeling so alone, and here my friends were disproving that in the best way possible.

Leaving my room, my father takes me to the side, while I spy my mother digging around in the kitchen. “You have some wonderful friends here, Kiddo. Your mother and I are so very proud of you.” He says to me.

I look to the floor, “How can you say that after what happened to me. You and Mom always said to wait for marriage before having sex with someone, and he took that option away from me.” I silently cried, not wanting to bring the others attention to what was going on. “I wanted my first time to be special. To be with the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. And now, I can’t even have that.” I sob. “My first time is always going to be associated with what happened to me.”

My father takes me into his arms, kissing my forehead. “Kiddo, he violated you. But he did not take away your first time making love.” He said stroking my hair while looking me in the eye, “Yes he may have stolen your virginity, but your first time making love to the man you choose to be with can still be special. Use that new memory that will be formed, as your first. Cause in many ways it will still be your first. And listen, whoever you choose will be the luckiest guy ever, because you, my dear boy, chose him.”

“How does me choosing a guy make him lucky?” I ask

“He’s lucky because he will be loved, cherished, and respected.” my Father tells me. “And it will be because he loves, cherishes and respects you.”

I just smile at my Father’s words, wondering if I am even worthy being loved.

My Mother chose this moment to interrupt us. “Dinner is on the table, boys.” She smiled over towards us. The table had one of my favorites set on top of it, with plates and cutlery, KFC.
We spend the rest of the night just hanging out. My parents left at around eight in the evening, leaving as where we decided to play a couple rounds of Uno. Just before the others left Madox told me he would be around early tomorrow morning to pick me up for Saturday morning practice. After seeing them off, Dale and I got ready for bed.

“I am just next door if you need me for anything.” He says to me, before heading into his own room.

“Thanks.” I smile at him. “Goodnight.”

“Night Hunter.”

I close my door behind me and settle into my new bed. Relishing in its comfort I drift off to sleep.

***

I knew I should not have had that last drink before bed, as now I have to leave the comfort of my bed to relieve myself. Throwing back the covers I open my door, and pad as silently as possible to the bathroom. Once done in there, I am about to head back to my room when I stop in my tracks. A muffled voice could be heard coming from Hunter’s room. Cautiously I head over to his door.

“Hunter?” I whisper as I open his door. The lights from outside illuminating his room.

“No, don’t.” Hunter wimpers. Still clearly asleep. “Please, no more. I’ll be good.”

Fuck. He is clearly having a nightmare. What do I do? He clearly needs something. Then without even thinking more of it, I silently get into bed with him, taking him into my arms so I can hold and comfort him.

“Shh. It’s ok Hunter. You’re safe.” I whisper in his ear.

No sooner is he in my arms, he seems to settle, and go back into a deep sleep. Burrowing further into me.

***

Waking up the next morning the first thing I noticed was that I was not alone. Confused I look down and notice that I was being held by a pair of slim arms. Dale’s arms. When did he get into bed with me, and why was I the little spoon to his big spoon? I’m not going to lie though, being in this position felt ten kinds of awesome.

“Hey, good morning.” he said sleepily, after noticing I was awake.

“Dale, why are you in my bed?” I ask “Not that I don’t like it.” I hurriedly add.
“You were having a nightmare, and for some reason this felt like the best thing to do for you. Sorry.” he says sadly. His arms loosening from around me.

Before his grasp on me loosens even more, I grab his hand. “No.” I say to stop him. “I feel safe in your arms.” I say shyly. “Do you mind if we stay like this a little longer?” I ask, hoping it is not too much.

He just tightens his hold on me more, burrowing his nose in my hair. “We can stay like this a little longer.” he says. “Though Madox will be here soon, but I’ll hold you till you need to get ready.”

“Thanks.” I say as I relish in his touch.

As all good things must come to an end, so did me being in Dale’s arms. I had just gotten out of the shower when I saw Madox in the living room. “I’ll just be a minute.” I say to him as I duck back into my room. Opening the closet, it doesn’t take me too long to find where they have put my new clothes. They looked really nice too. Evan must have had a hand in getting them for me. Grabbing what I needed, I am soon dressed and in Madox’s car.

The ride over to the field was short. I had just stepped into the locker room when I was greeted with the smiles of my teammates, all welcoming me back. All except for one of the new guys. I don’t have much time to think of that when I pulled into the Coaches office.

“First of all.” Coach says once he has sat down after closing the door. “I just wanted to say how sorry I am that I did not help you when I had the chance. I knew something was up, but I did nothing.” He says looking down at his desk. “Secondly, I am so happy to have you back. Our boys have missed their quarterback.” he smiles. “As you know; due your physical condition you were left in from your ordeal, Your physiotherapist Craig, has helped me come up with a program which should, in theory, get you back to full strength in as short amount of time that is possible, so we can have you out there on the field where you belong.”

He then went on about what I would be doing in the program, and that he would be working with me closely to make sure I did not over do it and injure myself. He then let me out to get ready.

I am at my locker when the new kid bumps into me.

“Hey watch it McNicklson.” Madox yells at the younger man.

“What?” the younger one says, clearly not happy with my return.

“You know exactly what.” Madox said.

“Just because he decided to come back, does not mean I should happily bend over for him and give back his spot on the field. He gave up that chance when he dropped out.” McNicklson yelled back.

“Ok. One! Hunter didn’t drop out of school. And two! Hunter is far too weak in his current state to take back his original position.” Madox said, getting into the kids face.

Puffing out his chest, and trying to stand taller, “Oh yea? If he did not drop out, what happened to him?” McNicklson asked.

“I was held hostage in my dorm room, and repeatedly raped.” I say quietly, not exactly sure why I was telling him. I just wanted them to stop yelling and drawing more attention to us.

“Oh fuck.” McNicklson responds queitly. “That is fucked up. I am so sorry, dude.” he says, his eyes wide open to what I had just revealed. “It’s clear Mads here has your back, I have yours too. Sorry I was such a jackass, we are a team and should be there for each other.”

“Thanks.” I say, “It’s ok, just don’t tell anyone else.” I tell him.

“Sure dude. Well anyway I have to get ready or we’re running laps.” he grins.

“Wow, I was not expecting you to tell him.” Madox said quietly once we were alone.

“Yea, neither did I. I just wanted you guys to stop, and it just popped out.” I say to him.

Madox doesn’t say anything else, he just reaches for my shoulder giving me a squeeze before we head out onto the field.

Coach’s training session was brutal, I was soaked before he finally let me head for the showers. They were empty when I walked in. Looking forward to a nice long hot shower alone, I grab my gear, and head for a shower head in one of the corners. The hot water was so nice on my tired sore muscles. I was just letting the shower do its work on my muscles when I heard voices.

“Dude, she was an absolute freak in the sheets last night.” One of my team members said as he walked into the showers with another member on the team.

“Really?

“Yea. She was all over me when we got back to her place. We were making out on her bed, when she legit cuffed me to the bed.”

Cuffed him to the bed.

She cuffed him to the bed.

He was restrained on her bed while she took advantage of him.

“What the fuck is going on in here.” Madox, but why does he sound so far away?

I blink my eyes, how did I get on the floor, and why am I covered in a towel?

“Don’t know Madox, Ian and I were just talking when Hunter suddenly collapsed on the floor clearly freaking out about something. We couldn’t get him to move from under the shower to somewhere dry so we shut off his water, and covered him in a few towels.” The one guy said.

Suddenly Madox's face was in my vision looking worriedly at me. “You ok?” he quietly asks of me.

“Adam was cuffed to her bed.” I say quietly as if it should be obvious.

“Fuck.” Madox said. “Thanks guys, I’ll take over here.”

“Is he gonna be ok?” Adam asks

Running his hand through his hair, “I hope so.” Madox said looking sadly at me.

“If you need anything let us know, ok?” Adam tells him, before both he and Ian leave us alone.

“Ok, let's get dressed and home.” he says to me as he lifts me up and helps get me dressed.

“I’m sorry.” I say once we are on the road.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Do you remember what happened?

“I was just taking a shower when Adam and Ian walked in. Adam was talking about a girl who cuffed him to her bed. It gets kinda blurry after that as the next thing I know is you in my face asking me if I am ok.”

“I thought as much. Looks like we might have to watch what we say as to avoid triggering you.” he says

“Sorry.” Is all I can say.

“Why are you sorry?” he says, momentarily taking his eyes off the road to look at me.

“Cause I am making you guys now to walk on eggshells.” I say

“Listen. None of this is your fault. What happened to you, was not your fault. If anything I blame that asshole sleeping it off in that hospital bed.”

“But he lost both his legs, and his parents have not seen him yet.”

Why am I defending him?

“Well he deserves a lot more than that. Him losing his legs, and him not taking his meds does not excuse what he did to you. What he did was pure evil.” the venom clear as day in Madox’s voice.

“We love you man, I hope you know that.” Madox says, just as I am about to open my door, now that I am home.

“I know.” I say sadly.

“Good, well I’ll see you later.”

The rest of the day was a bit of a blur, spent on the couch watching TV.

“I am about to head to bed,” Dale says standing up and stretching. Giving me a sneak peak of that flat belly hidden beneath his shirt. “, do you need anything?”

I look up at him, “Would it be ok if you held me tonight, like you did last night?” I ask

Dale smiles at me, grabs my hand pulling me off the couch. “Sure, I can do that.”

We then head to my room and get under the covers, in just our underwear. Dale holding me to him.

“Everything ok in there?” he asks me.

“Yea just having a few things run around in my head.” I tell him

“Like what?”

“Like wondering if I’ll ever be normal again.” I say

Dale just squeezes me, “Normal is overrated if you ask me, but I do think you’ll get better.” he says to me.

I am just quiet for a bit. “Dale?” I ask

“Hunter.”

“D..do… do you think… Do you think someone will be able to love me? After they find out what happened to me that is?”

“Hunter, what happened to you should not prevent anyone from falling in love with you.”

“How do you know that?” I ask

“I just do.”

“How?”

“Cause you’re special.”

“What makes me so special?”

“Cause you’re caring, sensitive, funny, and loyal.”

“But not lovable.” I say.

“You are very lovable.”

“No I’m not. But thanks for saying that.”

“It’s true though.”

“How is that true?”I ask, rolling over so I can look at him.

“Because…” he says, looking into my eyes. “I love you.” he says quietly.

Thought I'd try and publish this ahead of the Easter weekend. Hope you all have wonderful and safe holiday
Thanks for reading Chapter 9