If Red Means No, Invert The Color

Chapter 6

"There are a lot of stairs to get to my room" I say once I park my car.

"I can manage" Kieran replies, turning around to grab his crutches from the back seat.

I hold out my arm to stop him. "No no, I am not making you walk. I'll carry you. and your crutches."

I immediately hop out of my car and open his door for him, shoving my keys in my pockets simultaneously. "Hop on my back" I murmur, crouching down in front of him. I hear him shuffling before I feel his arms wrapped around my neck, his legs soon around my waist as I slowly stand up. He hardly weighed a thing, but I didn't want to hurt him. "Hold on tight, I'll hold your crutches, you hold onto me, okay?"

I can feel him nod against my back.

It took a total of 10 miniutes to get us back to my room. By the time I had Kieran sitting down on my bed, and not on my back, I was completely out of breath.

He was the one to break the silence. "You know, I only weigh 140lbs. For the quarterback, you sure are out of shape."

He was sober now, I could see it in his eyes. I roll mine at him. "That was three flights of stairs, spider monkey. Now, how are you feeling?" I ask, sitting down on my bed as well, a foot or so away from him.

"Still.. Icky I guess. My buzz wore off, and I'm still hurting, both inside and out. But I'll manage."

I scoot closer, almost by instinct, and take his hand in mine gently. "How can I help? Would a shower help?"

Kieran chuckles and his face and ears turn a deep red. "I uh.. Can't exactly stand Everest. I haven't showered sense the accident. Whoever did it is going to get their ass kicked when I find out who exactly it was."

My heart skips a beat. "You could uh, take a bath here if you'd like? If that would help, I mean."

Then my face goes red. I would have to help him. But why didn't the thought of that bother me?

"I would need help.. Seriously it's okay. It's not my first set of bruises, Everest."

I could see it in his eyes; he was sill mentally hurt, as well as in physical pain. I sighed and stood up. "Come here." I whisper, holding my arms out for him.

He gives me a questioning look, but doesn't reject my offer. He slowly rises up from the bed and wraps his arms around my neck. I pick him up gently, bridal style, and carry him over to my bathroom. He feels so small in my arms, his head is nuzzled in my neck and he feels cold. I could feel him shaking. I struggle to get the door open, but once I do I carefully set him down on the toilet.

"Do you need help getting undressed?" I ask him, my face turning red with embarrassment.

He shakes his head; with his arms shaking he reaches down and lifts his shirt over his head, placing it on the sink next to him. He undoes his walking boot, placing it down next to him and looks up at me. 'Oh, right he can't stand', i think to myself, mentally scolding my stupidity. I slowly approach him and help him stand, holding him up so he can remove his jeans and boxers, then I let go slowly so he can sit down. He holds his underwear in his  hands, covering his lower region. Naturally, playing football, I have seen a lot of other men naked in the locker room; but this time was different. I couldn't help but blush. 

"Stare much?" Keiran asks, his face red but a small smirk rested on his face, his eyes still looking broken, though. 

I roll my eyes and walk over to the tub, turning on the tap. I run my hand over the faucet to test it's temperature. Once it becomes warm enough I walk back over to Kieran, offering my arms to him to help him get into the bath. We were both standing there red faced, neither of us  sure exactly what to say.