Again, a moment of silence. “Yes.”
“You didn’t have to do that, you know?”
“I did though.” He looks up, sincerity clear on his face. “I know you didn’t like that I intervened earlier, and I’m sorry. I do understand it probably undermined your authority by having a man step in. But dammit, it really pissed me off to hear him speak to you like that. You can do anything you set your mind to. Including security. Just because it’s a male dominated industry doesn’t mean you’re any less excellent at your job simply because you don’t have a dick.” I snort at his well-placed use of the word dick. “I guess… the movie resonated with me more than it had before. Because it shows strong women succeeding in a man’s world for their capabilities at something. Even when the men returned from war. The league kept going because they weregood. And it was entertaining, obviously. But more than that, I wanted to cheer you up. And make sure you didn’t take anything that asshole said to heart. He’s a small-minded man who will forever live under his misogynistic boulder, crying about how women will never be as good as men. Which is agoddamn lie because I’ve seen it firsthand with you and so many others.”
Good god.
I’m a pile of mush on the floor.
Because I melted with every single word he said.
When I left the stadium, I didn’t think I had let that asshole’s words get to me. But watching the movie and hearing what Ryan said? Yeah, I guess his words dug a bit deeper into my thick skin than I thought. Because he wasn’tentirelywrong. I know nothing about sports. Idon’tbelong here. But I’m learning. And even though I may not know much about baseball, I know a lot about security. So, fuck them. I’m still damn good at my job.
My eyes burn with tears trying to break free. I blink a few times in an attempt to suppress them. “Thanks, Ryan. I, um, really appreciate that. You’re really very thoughtful. Even if you do get on my nerves on a daily basis.” He snorts at my dig, which is what I was hoping for. This is all getting way too deep and I need to lighten the mood somehow. Maybe even change the subject altogether. I flick my eyes to the clock on the microwave in the kitchen. “It’s not even nine-thirty yet. What do you say we put on another movie for a bit before I head home? My pick this time.” I settle back into the couch, keeping my feet firmly in his hold on his lap.
He tosses the remote my way with a soft smile. “Whatever you say, firecracker.”
A warm handsqueezing my arm gently jostles me from the dregs of sleep. As I blink back into consciousness all I can see is the soft glow of the TV playing sports highlights, volume muted,and Ryan hovering over my prone body with a soft smile on his lips. I didn’t even realize I had fallen asleep.
“Rise and shine, sleepyhead,” he says, voice laced with humor.
“What time is it?” I ask, my voice rough from sleep, as I stretch out my arms and rub the remaining sleep from my eyes.
“Nearly midnight.”
My eyes bug out of my head. “Oh my god. I didn’t mean to stay so late. Jordan’s probably freaking out. Where’s my phone?” I try to spring up from the couch but instantly get dizzy and black spots overtake my vision from trying to get up too fast.
“Whoa there, firecracker,” Ryan says with a gentle push on my shoulders that forces me to sit back down. “I already spoke with Jordan when she texted you two hours ago. She knows you’re here. Also, it’s okay that you’re still here.” He rubs the back of his neck, and I watch his cheeks turn a rosy pink in the dim light of the TV. “I actually like having you here.”
There go those stupid butterflies again. I clear my throat to try and calm the flutters in my stomach. “I should get going.” I make to get off the couch, but Ryan keeps his hands resting on my shoulders, holding me in place.
“Isa, it’s late. I really don’t want you driving home at this time of night.”
“Lucky for you, I didn’t drive. I’ll just call an Uber.” I shrug.
“No, nope. That’s worse.”
I sigh. “I need to get some work done tomorrow and you’re leaving in the morning for an away series anyway. I should really go home.”
“No, you don’t. You can stay here. Maybe… um, maybe we can get a coffee in the morning before you need to head home for work?”
I don’t know what it is, but something about him being so nervous and vulnerable around me makes it nearly impossiblefor me to say no to him. I watch him longer while I try to think of a plan here. I really should go home. But I also don’t really want to. I shouldn’t stay. I shouldn’t have even come over in the first place. My entire career is at risk being near him outside of a work setting. And yet… I can’t help myself.
“Please, Isa?”
It’s the please. The one single word pushes me over the edge and makes the decision for me. He must see it in my eyes that I’m staying because they flash with momentary surprise morphing into relief. He didn’t think I’d actually stay which breaks my heart a little.
I let out a resigned sigh and fight the smile blooming on my lips. “Fine, but only because it’s late and the drivers I get after midnight always give me the creeps.” I let out an exaggerated shiver to make my point.
“Whatever you want to tell yourself, firecracker. I know you’re staying for me,” he says with a wink before he grabs my hand, pulling me up off the couch and down the hall toward his room.
“Wait, where’s my phone? I should let Jordan know I’m staying the night.”
He takes my phone from his pocket and hands it to me as we make it to his bedroom. He gives me a sheepish smile before releasing his hold on the device. “I, um, may have already told her you might be staying the night.”
I lift an eyebrow at him. “That was rather presumptuous of you.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“I like to think of myself as persuasive,” he says with a wide, innocent smile. This fucking man. He’s like a golden retriever in human form, and I hate that I find it so fucking adorable.
