Puck met my gaze and blushed.It was the sweetest thing in the world.Hewas the sweetest thing in the world.“You can say that to me any time,” he said, keeping his gaze averted.
Warmth spread inside my chest.“Call him.”
He met my gaze and nodded once.He woke his phone and put the call through, then held my gaze as he waited for a response.After several seconds, he raised his eyebrows in a silent question.
“Maybe they can’t get to the phone right away,” I suggested.
“I don’t want to bother—”
His gaze broke from mine as the call was answered.I couldn’t hear what was said, but I could hear a voice.
“Oh, hi, Mrs.Alderman.It’s Puck… Yeah, I know, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to call… Okay…yes…really?”
Puck seemed to brighten.He glanced at me just for one second, but I could see the relief there.
“That’s amazing…yes… I know he is… I’d love to speak to him if you think he’d be up for it?”
There was a pause while Puck shifted his feet and waited.
“Hey Elijah,” he said, when a deeper-toned voice came from his phone.“I know, man, I amso, so sorry… Yeah… I feel like such a douche.”He laughed.“You should…definitely.”
His gaze flashed to mine with such affection and relief it warmed my heart.
“Really?Fuck, really?Oh, god…” His face crumpled and he started to cry.I resisted the urge to go over there, because him crying was a good thing, even though what it meant might be not so good.He nodded and tried to rally, swiping at his face with his free hand as he sat on the bed.“Sorry, I…that’s so amazing.I can hardly believe it.”
He flashed me a smile and a thumbs up.
“Yeah, I met this guy, actually.Yeah…oh, he’ssohot.You have no idea.And you wouldn’t believe where I am right now… Nope…I’ll tell you when I see you in person…I’m here for another month… I know…but I needed to get away.”Puck laughed again, and it was such a wonderful sound.“I’ll call you again in a few days, okay?I’m so glad to hear things are going well, man.Stay strong, okay?I love you… I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner… Okay…bye.”
Puck ended his call and blinked back more emotion, his breaths shaky.“I could really use a hug right now, Oliver.”
I jumped up from my spot on the bed and wrapped him in my arms.
Puck snugged his forehead into the crook of my neck, holding onto me.He spoke then, his voice muffled against my shirt.
“He’s got feeling in his legs now.He’s going to be able to walk.It’s going to take time and lots of rehab, but he’s going to be okay.”
I hugged Puck tighter and pressed my lips to his cheek.“I’m so glad you called him.”
“Yeah, me too.He basically told me I was a dick and a chicken.But you know what?It felt good to hear him cuss me out.Like you said, he sounded like his old self, y’know?”
“Sure.”
Puck pulled away and seemed to collect himself.
“Is it okay if I use your room to call him again in a few days?I guess I could just call him from downstairs, since everything seems okay, but—”
“Of course, you can.Any time.”
Puck shoved his hands in his pockets and gazed at me with gratitude.“Thanks, Oliver.”
“Do you want to sleep here tonight?”
“Uh, am I allowed to?”
“Oh, so now you’re all about the rules?”
“I really don’t want to get kicked off this ranch, Oliver.”
