Marisol's POV- October 2018

"What do you mean no one knows where Cody is? How can a grown man who is 6'4 disapear on somone?"

I mean, dad was right.

"Just give him some time, he'll come around when he's ready"

Bugs quickly bolted off the couch and started barking up a storm as he ran towards the front door.

"Looks like he's ready"

I stood up as the doorbell rang, and went to open the front door. Once I reset the alarm system, I opened the door. Cody stood on the other side, and his eyes were bloodshot red.

"Hey"

He still had smeared eye black grease under his eyes, which led me to believe he had not showered.

"Can I come in?"

I stepped back and closed the door once he was inside.

"My phone died, can you tell you let Ashli know I'm okay?"

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and sent his sister a text telling her Cody's phone was dead but he had just shown up.

"Did you not shower?" I asked.

He smiled.

"Glad your sense of smell is back"

I mean, he did not smell bad but he did smell like sweat and dirt.

"Do I not get a proper hug?"

"Of course you do" I replied.

I stepped forward and hugged his waist. As he wrapped his arms around my top half, he kissed my forehead.

"Today was shitty"

He gave me one final squeeze before letting me go.

"I should shower"

I smiled up at him.

"You said it," I said.

He chuckled.

"Do I have any clothes here, or do I have to go to my car to get my duffle bag?"

"You have clothes here" I confirmed.

"I'm going to go on up"

"I can heat you up some spaghetti while you shower?" I asked.

He smiled.

"You know I can never say no to your pasta"

I laughed and accepted the kiss he had leaned down for.

"Well go on up, I'll be right up in a bit," I told him.

He gave me another kiss before making his way upstairs. As I heated up his food, my phone started ringing.

"Hey, Ashli" I greeted once I answered the call.

"Hey, how's Cody?"

"He's upstairs showering" I replied.

"I know I shouldn't be asking you this since you're recovering from Pneumonia, but take care of him yeah?"

"Of course" I answered.

"I'll check up tomorrow"

"Why don't you and your parents come over for breakfast?" I suggested.

Even I was surprised to hear that come out of my mouth, but I guess anything to make Cody feel better.

"You don't need to do that, Mari"

"I don't mind" I assured her.

"Okay, should we bring anything?"

"Any dietary restrictions?" I wondered.

"Nope, you know we're not picky eaters"

"Just bring yourselves," I said.

"Let's make it brunch so Cody could get some much-needed sleep"

"Okay, I'll see you all then," I told her.

"See you then, good night"

"Night" I replied before ending the call.

I pursed my lips and looked at dad who had not moved from his spot on the couch.

"Darling, I think you like Cody more than you lead him to believe"

Oh that thought had kept me up the last couple of nights, and I hated to admit it but my dad was right.

"If you tell him, it might make him feel better"

He followed that suggestion with a wink and proceeded to stand up.

"I'm going to bed, today was a long and shitty day"

So it was an overall shitty day for everyone.

"Night," I told him.

"Night, darling. The door stays unlocked, okay?"

I rolled my eyes.

"I know" I replied.

Once the food was heated up, I made my way upstairs and set the plate on my desk before climbing up on the bed to do some light reading.

"When do you have to go back to school?"

I looked up from the journal article I was reading.

"I technically had to go back tomorrow, but my professor's wife went into labor today and he wants to have some family time so Tuesday" I answered.

Cody ran the towel he was holding over his damp hair and nodded as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"Your dinner is on the desk," I said.

He glanced in that direction and nodded.

"Thanks"

As he ate, I read. Once he finished, he climbed up on the bed and plopped himself down next to me.

"Are you almost done?"

I nodded as my left hand found his face.

"Almost," I told him.

"Play with my hair?"

I could do that.

"Why don't you get under the blankets?" I suggested.

He groaned as he sat up.

"I'm going to be so sore tomorrow"

Oh, I bet. He just left without showering and getting a post-game massage.

"Let's go out for brunch tomorrow?"

"Uh, I invited your family over for brunch tomorrow" I informed him.

I glanced at him when I heard nothing from him.

"You didn't have to do that"

"I know, I wanted to though," I told him.

That tension between his mom and I really needed to go away.

"Thanks for that"

I shrugged.

"No worries" I replied.

He took a hold of my hand once he was under the duvets and kissed my knuckles.

"No really, thank you. My family hasn't been civil with you"

Well, I hoped to be sticking around so I kinda had to get along with them.

"Can you play with my hair?"

"Of course" I answered.

He pressed himself closer to me, and put my hand on his head.

"I might fall asleep"

"That's okay, it's late," I told him.

When I finished reading about a half hour later, I turned to him to see he was fast asleep with his mouth slightly open. I climbed off the bed and put my pen/article on my desk before looking back at him. Around this time last year, I absolutely despised Cody and now here I was watching him sleep. I slowly climbed up on the bed and nudged him awake. His eyes fluttered open, and his brows furrowed up a bit as he looked up at me.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just need to tell you something," I said.

He hummed and shifted on his back as he covered his face from the light.

"What is it?"

I giggled and leaned down to give him a kiss.

"I love you" I replied.

His eyes widened and he quickly sat up.

"Really?"

"Yes, of course. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it" I stated.

He laughed.

"Can you say I again? I was half asleep the first time"

I smiled.

"I love you" I replied.

His eyes crinkled up as he smiled big.

"You're not saying this just to make me feel better, right?"

"Of course not" I answered.

"Again?"

"I love you," I told him once more.

He grabbed my face and gave me a big smooch.

"I love you too, so so much"

I laughed as he went on to pepper my face with kisses. Bugs broke up our intimate moment by barking up a storm and wiggling his way in between Cody and me.

"Let's go to bed," I said.

Cody chuckled as he lied back down when I climbed off the bed to shut off the light. Once the light was off, I went back to my bed where my boys were.

"How are you feeling? I noticed you don't sound too congested anymore"

I got under the blankets and shifted on my side so I was facing him.

"My sense of smell is back, so that's good" I stated as I cuddled up closer to him.

You never really appreciate an unblocked nose until you have a blocked nose.

"I don't think I'm going to be able to fall back asleep"

Oh, he was so wrong. Cody was lightly snoring about 15 minutes later. I took a deep breath and pressed my nose against his shoulder as I hugged his waist. He subconsciously took hold of my hand that was on his stomach and cleared his throat. I closed my eyes and listened to his light breathing puffs and let that lull me to sleep.