Lust Next Door - S01 E48

Story 4 months ago

Lust Next Door - S01 E48

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 48

The Author's Contribution

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Connor hated that on his days off from games and practice he still had to get up at the ass crack of dawn to attend these meetings. He hated dealing with Frank, even if recently he's shown some human emotion, hated all their trivial problems, and hated how early they were. The only thing that really motivated him to go was seeing Serena.

Connor pulled on a black t-shirt that had the Wolves emblem printed in the middle along with a simple pair of joggers to go with it. His eyes were barely opened when he stumbled down his stairs and eventually over to his car.

Groaning, Connor started up his Charger and drove the short three-minute drive to the clubhouse. When he pulled into the driveway, however, he immediately noticed the absence of Serena's barely-alive-Volvo in the parking lot.

Connor shoved his hands into his pocket and scanned the lot again. His eyebrows furrowed as yet again he didn't see her car. He assumed she might be running late, but even that was uncharacteristic for her.

He shrugged and assumed she was pulling up soon. Connor walked inside and assumed his usual spot in the back of the aisles. He opened his phone to see if she messaged him at all but nothing. He typed out a message to her but quickly deleted it, he hated how obsessed he was seeming. She would show up soon.

The meeting went by, Frank droned on about how residents were leaving their trashcans out and making them too visible in the community.

"It is simply grotesque, no one wants to see or smell everyone's rotting trash. The only day they should be out is on trash day." Frank asserted.

Apparently, it was against the rules to have them visible from the street, Connor thought there were bigger issues in the world to worry over other than trashcan placement.

But he was also sitting here worrying about Serena not showing up to these dumb meetings. 'Maybe she just realized how stupid they were and decided against going'. Connor thought, but then quickly remembered the goody two shoes he was talking about. 'Yeah no...'

Connor groaned as the meeting became almost unbearable without her, he realized just how much he liked messing with her, toying with her, and teasing her during these meetings. In the absence of her, he was nearly on the verge of falling asleep.

When the meeting was finally over Connor could hardly help himself from going straight to her house instead of practice. He was worried about her, something was nagging at him that she wasn't okay and it swelled a lump in his throat.

But after being late to his game yesterday if he was late to practice today, Coach Stetson would have his head on skewer. So he sucked it up and left the meeting for his practice. Serena would text him eventually, he had to stop worrying about it.

•

Coach made sure to get back at Connor for being late to their first playoff game. He extended practice another two hours and ran drills nearly half of the time. He was limping to the showers, new aches in different parts of his body, and his head was spinning. He nearly fell asleep in the lockerroom showers.

He was pulling his hoodie on over his head when Josh walked into the locker room, "I'm assuming we have you to thank for that grueling practice?"

Connor turned to him and sighed, "Yes, sorry man."

"That girl again huh?"

Serena. She still hadn't messaged, he was starting to get really nervous. His stomach was pinched and the thought of something bad happening to her brought upon a wave of nausea.

"Last night? Uh, yeah. Sorry." It was weird for Connor to be talking and thinking about a girl like this. In all his life, he never had the desire to settle down with someone. The simple idea of anyone taking away his hard-earned freedom made him sweat.

Josh shrugged and laughed, "Don't apologize, I'm not upset or anything. Luca on the other hand was pretending to ring your neck behind your back on the ice so I'd stay clear of him, temperamental baby." Josh came over and sat on the bench, glancing over his shoulder at Connor, "I'm actually glad you're getting serious with a girl. I never thought anyone would tame Connor Deluca. Half the time I doubted you could even tame yourself. Seeing you with her is...nice, you seem happy."

Connor sat with his best friend's words for a moment, let them sink in, and let his familiar panic subside. He took a deep breath, "She's not mine, yet, I'm confused. I don't know what I want to be real honest."

"Connor you've never known what you want. The only thing I think you've ever figured out was hockey, so don't let the confusion scare you away now when it really counts." Josh spoke up, turning fully towards Connor now with an empathetic look across his features, "Do you wanna be with her."

Connor looked to the ground and rolled over his answer, his words not wanting to leave his lips. He had no idea why stuff like this was so hard for him, finally, he spoke up, "I don't want her to be with anyone else."

Josh just groaned, rubbing his palm down his face "You're so hard-headed. You'll say anything but that you want to be in a relationship. "

Connor's own frustration made a glare narrow in on Josh, his hands felt heavy and his whole body was humming with his own anger, "Are you trying to mock me? You know I'm not good with this shit."

Josh held his hands up in defense, "Look man, I've known you my whole life basically. I've seen you walk right up to the edge of a cliff for your independence and try to throw yourself in-"

Drugs. Connor knew exactly what Josh was referencing and it made chills tickle the memory of it all over him. He really did almost lose himself.

"You need to stop worrying about it so much, I know you've gone through a lot but you need to ask yourself how much you're willing to lose to that stupid notion of yours. Allowing someone to hold onto the reins too doesn't mean you have to let go."

Connor knew his fear was stupid, but it was his. And for once in his life he didn't want it to control him.

"Yeah you're right, thanks bro." He said as Josh stood up and clapped him on the back a few times.

"You'll figure it out, Connor. I know you will, but something about her, I know she's good for you."

•

Connor pulled into his driveway and cut his engine, he looked over to Serena's house and saw every light off. The sense of dread he was feeling all day came back like a punch to his chest. He gripped his steering wheel, trying to convince himself everything was okay but it didn't seem to dissolve any of his feelings.

As he walked up to his steps he noticed the big box of glass panes he ordered sitting beside his steps. At that very moment, he knew he had to make sure she was okay, and if she was perfectly fine and he looked crazy he would just pretend he came over to tell her about the glass. Connor wasn't sure why he was so worried about coming off too strong but he was, he was scared he was gonna scare her away by pushing his confusing feelings onto her. He felt protective, insanely protective of her, and it was getting harder to justify that as friendship. To himself and to others.

He turned ninety degrees and walked over to her front door. Once he was closer to her place he saw faint light flicking across the shades of windows. He blew out a breath once he saw signs of life.

Connor rang the doorbell and another thirty seconds later when he was about to walk back to his place, the latch in the door clicked.

He looked back over his shoulder as the door peeked open and Serena's face popped into view. She was wrapped quite pitifully in a blanket and only her face was visible. And when his gaze focused in on her pale face and red nose he realized she was definitely sick. That protective urge nagged at him again, he had to stuff his hands into his pockets to keep himself from grabbing her.

She sniffled and let out a groan he thought was supposed to be a hello.

"You look like hell."

"I feel like it too." She mumbled her usual delicate voice raspy with a cough. She stepped away from the door, leaving it open for him as she hobbled back to the living room. Her silhouette wrapped completely in the blanket, if he wasn't so concerned he probably would have laughed at the remainder of the blanket trailing behind her.

"You should've texted me." he walked up behind her and scooped her up bridal style in his arms.

"I didn't wanna bother you, or get you sick." Wrapped like a pig in a blanket there in his arms she frowned and closed her eyes, leaning her head on his chest. Connor could tell she was weak, it made a frown fill his own lips as she touched his hand to her forehead.

"You're burning up. Have you taken your temperature?"

She nodded softly, "Hundred and one, it's cold. I think I must've caught it at the game"

Connor sighed and carried her back into the living room, "Shortcake." She had a slew of blankets and pillows covering the couch. No doubt where she's been all day. The tv was on and playing some sappy romance movie on it. Tissues were littered around the floor along with half-drunken bottles of water.

"I'm hot." She mumbled a whine and uneasily pursed her lips together. He smiled softly and set her down on her feet, he took the blanket and unwrapped her.

She was standing there in fuzzy pajama pants and his huge hockey jersey. Connor's heart surged with butterflies and he placed a hand over his smiling mouth as his cheeks filled with warmth. She was so damn cute, standing there all dazed and in his jersey.

He decided against mentioning it and embarrassing her. She was so helpless right now she probably didn't even remember putting it on. And frankly, he was enjoying the view a lot, he didn't want to risk her taking it off.

Connor walked over to her and leaned down, placing a small kiss on her forehead before guiding her back onto the couch.

"Try and get some rest, I already know you haven't eaten anything today." He said and walked over to the kitchen. She groaned in response and turned back to the tv. Connor started riffling there her cabinets and fridge. He found a cup of instant of mac and cheese in her pantry, he grabbed that and some milk. Peeling off the lid, he measure out the milk and popped it into the microwave for three minutes. When it was done he mixed in the cheese and walked back over to her.

She had her eyes closed and her lips parted, he thought she was asleep until he sat down next to her legs and her blue eyes fluttered open gently.

"I smell something yummy," Serena mumbled and leaned up slowly.

"Some five-star microwave mac and cheese is what you're smelling." Connor teased and held it out for her.

She took it in her hands and smiled up at him, "I was secretly hoping you'd come over." She shoved a forkful into her mouth.