Yeah, but that’s not why I’m asking. We have this charity gala the team hosts every year to benefit the local children’s hospital
Firecracker
Okay…
Ryan
I want you to be my date
Firecracker
Ryan…
I can’t. You know I can’t
Ryan
Hear me out
Everyone associated with the team in any way is invited, including the TV crew. It wouldn’t be out of place for you to be there. We won’t show up together, and we can both sneak to mine at the end of the night
I want a night out with my girl. All dressed up, a nice meal, some dancing
I’ll even recruit the guys to dance with you too, so it won’t look weird that you dance with me. I promise I won’t get too jealous
Firecracker
…
I’ll think about it
We’ve beenseeinghow things gofor less than a week and I’m already wishing for more. Ineedmore. But I also don’t want to scare her off. Or rush her.
I still can’t believe I asked the question. Thewhat are we. I felt like a girl being strung along by some dude when I asked. But I needed the clarity. Which to be fair, I still didn’t really get.
We’ve only really had two dates and hooked up a handful of times. What did I expect her to say?I’m in love with you, Ryan, Let’s get married tomorrow.
No, definitely not. I’m lucky enough that we’re at least exclusive so I know she’s not giving any other guys the time of day.
But I want her to be mine. Want tomakeher mine.
I can’t get back to the hotel from this loss against San Diego soon enough. We’re only two games into our four game away series against the Bears and all I want to do is hole up in my room on the phone with Isa.
I’m out of my seat the moment the bus parks up outside the building and in my room in record time. The guys are all going to the bar for a beer to drown their sorrows, but I’d rather drown mine in Isa’s gaze.
Bag ditched in a corner, shoes kicked off in the same direction, I flop onto the bed as the FaceTime tone rings out through the room.
The camera jostles as she answers the call on the third ring. “Ryan, hi.” She’s fresh faced with a pink tinge, likely from scrubbing makeup off. There’s still a small fleck of white at the corner of her mouth where she didn’t quite manage to get all the toothpaste. I can tell from the stark whiteness around her that she’s in her bathroom. “Sorry, I was getting ready for bed,” she says with a sheepish smile.
“Hey, baby,” I drawl.
She rolls her eyes, but they glitter with amusement. “I’ve told you not to call me that.”
I chuckle. “Was I interrupting? Want to call me back?” I ask, genuine.
“No, no, it’s fine. I was finished anyway.” She hastily wipes away the fleck of toothpaste. “I didn’t think you’d get back to your room so quickly is all. Figured you’d all be dragging your feet after the loss.” Her lips drop into a frown and her eyes flash with sympathy. “Sorry about that by the way.”
I shrug. “Eh, it is what it is. You win some, you lose some. It doesn’t impact our chances for the playoffs, so I’m not too worried yet. We just had a bad night is all. It’s bound to happen when you play 162 games in a season.”
