Nothing. Not a peep.
I look over quickly and he’s actually glaring at me.
Shit.
“Seriously, Spence?” He throws his hands in the air. “You finally meet me at my level with a cheesy pun, and you choosethismoment?”
I wince. “Sorry?”
“And it’s from my second favorite movie of all time? You should be ashamed of yourself,” he pouts, but his tone is lighter now. I can tell he’s trying not laugh, and I suddenly understand why quick-witted jocks get away with so much.
“I’m sorry! I panicked, okay!” I shout-laugh nervously.
“Just pull the car over, Spence.”
I spot a gas station and swing the car in, parking by the ice chest. He takes his seatbelt off and turns to me, eyes earnest. “Spence, look at me.”
I do. Hesitantly.
“I don’t want you to feel pressured by what I just did. But I’m laying all my cards out. I’ve wanted out of football for a while. Between the injury and you, I have the motivation.”
I canfeelmy eyes widen.
Ryan puts up a hand. “And by you, I mean I think there’s something here, Spencer Stark. I’m not saying you’re the whole reason, but you’re worth someone giving everything up for. I’dlike the chance to get to that point with you. I don’t expect you to shove your tongue down my throat after today.” He grins.
I laugh, a weak, wild sound.
“I’m patient Spence,” he says, “and I respect what kissing means to you. I’m just asking you to consider that maybe, just maybe, I might be your ‘without a doubt’ man.”
My mouth drops open, but before I can respond, my phone starts going off in the console between us. I glance down and catch Ryan looking at it too. Tyler's name flashes across the screen. I pick it up and see a series of texts in rapid succession:
Tyler:
SOS
HELP
Really hot cop came into the center today to volunteer.
I think he was flirting with me. What do I do?
Oh shit. Is that off limits because I work here now?
Spennnnce hellllllp!
I chuckle, shaking my head. Tyler. God, I'm proud of that kid. It's been almost three years since I first met him, that scrawny seventeen-year-old with nothing but a backpack full of trauma.
I look over and freeze. Ryan is staring straight ahead through the windshield, arms folded tight across his chest, jaw set in a hard line.
“What's the matter with you?”
“Nothing.” He humphs.
“Out with it, Ryan.”
He turns his head, gaze fixed out the passenger window, avoiding me completely. His voice comes out soft, almost wounded. “You should just drop me off and go kiss Tyler.”
I jolt. “What—”
