Page 65 of Lavender and Linebackers

Darius: They can’t look good together. There are rules for a reason. Sully should be enforcing these rules.

Rico: Rules that are meant to be broken.

Sully: It’s been discussed. No rules are being broken. Leave him alone.

Ryder: Great idea! Leave me alone.

Ryder: Wait, why are you telling them we’ve discussed this?

Sully: Because we have. Handbook.

Ryder: Whatever.

Tyler: It’s not him who needs to worry. It’s her. She would lose her spot.

Sully: No one is losing their spot. Knock it off.

Rico: But do these rules really apply to him? The organization paired them together based on their shared history. This isn’t a case of workplace fraternization. The relationship was already established.

Miles: Damn, Rico knows how to use big words.

Sully: They aren’t in a relationship!

Ryder: We aren’t in a relationship!

Rico: Could have fooled me?

Camden: Technically, the term relationship is pretty broad. It means the way two or more people or things are connected, interact, and behave toward each other. There’s a vast opening for interpretation.

Darius: But we’re talking about fraternization, not broad-term relationships.

Camden: Again, fraternization is the personal relationship between employees that crosses professional boundaries. While most consider it to be just sexual or romantic relationships, it doesn’t exclude friendships. By definition, we’re all fraternizing right now, just talking outside of work about our personal lives.

Ryder: Someone kill me now.

Darius: I could manage that next week on the field. Come at me and see what happens.

Tyler: You wish, D. Ryder’s faster than all of us.

Camden: Not true. Not now, not ever. Which one of you has beaten my 40-yard 4.29?

Bryan: Camden’s not wrong, but to be on the safe side, you should talk to HR.

Ryder: Again, there’s nothing to talk about!

Rico: You sure about that?

Chapter 22

Ryder

Last night was the best night of my life.

I would argue that it even has wedged out draft night. While getting picked by my dream team will forever be a top highlight, getting to kiss my dream girl imprinted on my soul.

I know that’s all flowery and shit . . . but damn. That’s how I feel.

I can’t stop smiling either.