Marisol's POV- September 2018

That exam had been brutal, but thankfully I studied enough to comprehend most of it. Today had been a long day, and I was ready to shower, eat something, and then go to bed. However, it looked like all of that was going to be put on hold because Cody was seated on the bench on the front porch of the house.

I shut off my car and reached for my backpack. In the time I did that Cody stood up and made his way over. I should have seen this coming, I hadn't spoken to him all weekend.

"You're ignoring me"

"I've been studying for the exam I had today" I noted as I closed the car door.

I finally turned to Cody when I locked the car.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

I guess my question came out a bit cold because Cody's eyes softened up a bit as a frown formed on his face.

"I've been trying to get a hold of you all weekend"

That he had.

"As I said before, I've been busy studying" I stated.

"I got worried when I didn't see your car parked out front"

"I could have parked inside the garage" I pointed out.

"You never do that"

He was correct there.

"I'm pretty sure dad would form some a task force if I ever go missing," I told him.

My dad knew where I was at all points during the day. Why? I had shared my location with him. He was protective because I was all he had.

"Don't bring my friends into our arguments," I said.

He had reached out to Sabina for Stevie's address after Desi told him I was with Stevie.

"She told me to give you time to cool off"

"I was never mad" I admitted.

His jaw tightened.

"You were disappointed?"

I nodded.

"I don't want to ask you for another break, Cody," I told him.

He shook his head.

"No, we can talk it out"

"School comes first, you agreed on that terms when we started dating" I pointed out.

"I know, I was being selfish"

"You know very well that if I could make it to every single one of your home games I would" I noted.

"I'm sorry, it just sucks that most of the guys on the team have their girls and family join them on road trips"

"I have school" I reminded him.

Most of his teammate's significant others were either stay at home moms, unemployed, or worked from home. Let me tell you, those girls lived a pretty lonely life.

"I know! I understand that, but it still sucks"

As much as I adored Cody, I would never give up my career for him.

"I know you sacrifice studying to go to games, and I'm thankful for that. Your life is literally dictated by your planner"

His bottom lip trembled.

"I had a super romantic night planned out for Saturday, and Sunday morning"

Oh, so that's why he was upset.

"I wanted to show you how much I appreciate you being there for me"

He ran a hand through his hair.

"I had it all planned out. I was going to attempt at making spaghetti and meatballs, and fail really bad at it"

Cody could not cook.

"And then I'd suggest going out to eat instead because you don't like ordering takeout since the packaging is wasteful"

He had really thought this out.

"I shouldn't have reacted the way I did, and I'm sorry"

I stepped forward and reached for the hand that was tugging on his hair.

"When was the last time you had a good night's rest?" I wondered.

He sheepishly smiled.

"Since last Monday"

I nodded and slowly cupped his cheek. He practically melted at my touch and leaned his face against my hand.

"I would much rather have you mad at me than be disappointed with me"

He sniffled.

"I'm sorry"

"Okay" I replied as I grazed my thumb against his cheek.

He turned his head and kissed my palm before taking a hold of my hand.

"Let's go inside" I suggested.

Once we were inside, he suggested I go shower while he heated up my dinner. I did that, and when I walked into my room 20 minutes later, I found him seated on the floor with Bugs on his lap.

"I should go"

"No" I replied.

Not in the state he was in.

"It's not safe, you're sleep deprived" I pointed out.

"Is it that obvious?"

Yeah, his eyes were sunk in.

"You have clothes here" I reminded him.

He nodded.

"I'll sleep on the couch"

Nonsense.

"The bed is big enough for the both of us" I stated.

Bugs was not thrilled that Cody stood up to change. I got a nice view of Cody stripping his clothes off and changing into a pair of his pjs. As he sat on the bed, he looked at me.

"I'm going to lie down"

"Go for it," I told him.

No one was stopping him.

"I'm pretty sure I'll pass out, so good night"

I smiled.

"Good night," I said.

He was asleep before I finished eating my dinner. After I ate, I went back downstairs to take my plate to the kitchen. As I was brushing my teeth, a light knock on the doorframe made me look up from my phone.

"The neighbors don't need to hear yours and Cody's problems"

I set my phone on the counter and proceeded to rinse my mouth.

"Sorry about that" I apologized.

Dad leaned against the doorway and nodded.

"You two talked it out?"

"Yeah" I confirmed.

He smiled.

"So what exactly happened?"

So I told him.

"Well I'm glad you two worked it out"

That was weird.

"I admit, I was not fond of him but he's proven himself wrong"

"How so?" I wondered.

"Honey, he's exhausted yet instead of going home he drives the extra miles just to see you and literally sleep next to you"

Okay, this was getting weird.

"I'll let you get back to him"

"Night" I called out as he left.

I shut off the bathroom light and made my way back to my room. Once I climbed up into my bed, I quickly got comfortable. Just as I was falling asleep, I felt Cody shift on his side and scoot closer to me. Once he was firmly pressed up against me, he let out a sigh and his breathing steadied once more.