Page 179 of The Right Move

Blue,

I’m not great with words, so I’ll keep this short. I love you. I will love you as long as you'll allow me the privilege, and even longer after that. I have every intention to give you the life you want. I hope you’ll let me.

You can even add this promise to the fridge when you get home.

-Ryan

Sleep was almost nonexistent. In a bed that’s not his. In a house that’s not ours. Stacked pillows did nothing to trick my mind because every part of my body knew Ryan wasn’t there.

Dragging myself out of the dark and lonely guest room, I find Rio in the kitchen with his signature boombox on full blast.

Seeing Rio in the kitchen making breakfast causes my chest to physically ache at the memories it induces.

It’s been twenty-four hours and I miss Ryan more than I’ve ever longed for another person and one night apart has me questioning if the future I envisioned for myself is even worth it if Ryan isn’t there.

Rio turns down the music before proudly sliding a cup to me. “Iced coffee.”

Taking a sip, I almost choke on the bitterness of it, not to mention the texture of the grounds that found their way in. But I offer him a smile because the guy is trying.

“It’s good.”

“It’s shit, isn’t it?”

“Well, now that you say it…”

“I’ve never made the stuff. I don’t drink coffee. Look at me.” He motions down his body. “I’m wired enough as it is without the added help. The only reason I even have a coffee maker is for when the other guys from the team come over and want a cup.”

As always, Rio makes me smile. It feels weird after an entire night of crying into my pillowcase for there to be a grin on my lips.

“You didn’t have to make me some but thank you. I appreciate it more than you know. And thank you for letting me stay.”

“Of course, Indigo. You’re my girl. I’ve got your back.”

He turns back to the stove where a few vegetarian sausages are sizzling over the flame, and without asking, I know Ryan took the liberty to have groceries sent over.

“You’re wrong, by the way,” he says.

“Wrong about what?”

“Me not having to make you coffee. I had Ryan Shay standing in my doorway telling me how his girlfriend likes her coffee and if you don’t think the look he gave me while he said it screamed ‘you better fucking make her coffee when she wakes up’ well then, babe, you’re wrong.”

An audible laugh bubbles out of my lips and I almost shock myself at the sound. Rio always knows how to put a smile on my face. The same way Stevie does and Zee. The same way I’m always wearing one around Ryan. This family I’ve created over the last year and a half is new in my life but holds a weight far more significant than the friends I kept for an entire lifetime.

Sometimes history really means nothing when the right people walk into your life.

“Speaking of Ryan Shay,” Rio begins again. “There’s a basketball player sleeping in my driveway who's worth more money than I’ll ever see in my lifetime.”

“He came back?”

“He never left. The guy slept in his car, and honestly, if I were into dudes that right there would have me folding.”

I push his head away with a laugh. “He’s already spoken for, so don’t even think about it.”

I still have no idea what to say to Ryan. These hours away from him have only confused me even more. Is any of it worth it without him?

Regardless, he can’t be sleeping in his car. He’s got two of the most important games in his career coming up, and I refuse to let something as trivial as lack of sleep be the reason he doesn’t perform at his best.

Heading for the front door, I grab my coat.

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