Shoulder

"What the hell did you just say?" Floyd Mayweather stood outside at exactly 12:07 a.m. on a Monday facing Ray.

"Stab me. In the shoulder. Avoid big arteries though, I'd like to avoid death if possible." Ray was, as always, speaking too fast and failing to keep in his usual intense energy.

"Why?"

"None of your concern. I can fill you in later."

"Dude, why?"

"Floyd I am serious and if you want me going to the wedding as your hot mess sister's plus one, you're gonna have to trust me."

----------- 3 days prior -----------

"So tell me, how long have you worked here Miss..." the receptionist was not impressed or amused. It was a cute look on her.

"Jules." She responded, much to Ray's content. "Now do you have any business here, sir?" Ray's face fell.

"No?"

"I'm afraid that you really shouldn't be admitted to this wing, then."

"To be honest with you, Miss Jules- I'm surprised I made it this far." Ray was now trying to gain steady footing.

"I changed my number-so don't even try."

"That's not gonna stop me."

"Maybe a restraining order will."

"Nah."

And three days of hard work, scheming, and online stalking had not come to fruition. Ray needed synthesis, he needed a foolproof plan.

Hospitals.

Nerve damage ward.

Physical therapy.

Miss Andrea Jules.

---- 12:07 am, Floyd's house -----

"Make sure you damage the nerves... maybe stab my leg as well?" Ray was going at one thousand miles per hour.

"Wait. Is this about that nurse you're obsessed with? Dude that's not healthy you need to-"

"She threatened me with a restraining order." Ray interrupted, matter-of-factly, "so I know what I'm doing." Floyd was bewildered.

"You know what you're doing? Really? Ok I'm going to bed I can't deal with you." Ray was quick to grab his friend's shoulder. The cold air fed his excitement and he yanked Floyd back.

"Dude, this gives me a valid reason to be around her!"

"No, you're crazy and stupid!" Floyd's exasperation mounted.

"No, I'm brilliant and dedicated. Now stab me."

As they bickered in the cold, January morning Ray procured a large knife. "Do it for me and your sister."

Grumbling, Floyd responded with "you better make the wedding days some of Emma's best." and took the knife.

"I will." Were Ray's last word before he was rendered speechless by the sharp tear he felt in his shoulder. The next three minutes was filled with hollering, confusion, and pain as Floyd called the ambulance, neighbors pooled around the house, and Sharon was awoken from her rest- far from surprised at the strange scene in front of her. She was used to it.

------ 1 month later ------+

"So long story short, I just earned my second restraining order filed against me- the first being Mr. Reynolds- and I have to report to physical therapy once a week until March, and then it'll be once every other week." Ray frowned into his cup, ignoring the annoying weight of Emma Mayweather hanging on his arm.

Floyd only smirked. "Serves you right."

"Shut up."