Page 97 of Forbidden Puck
“Stalemate, then.” Ryan laughed. “So how were things in ol' New York?”
“Good,” I said, giving Ryan a run-down of my work week. “How were things for you?”
Ryan filled me in on his past week with the team and at home with Lance. Yep, they still live together. They love to joke around about the time Lance flipped his shit when he found out Ryan and I were fooling around—because ever since, our relationship has only brought those two closer than ever. They're basically like brothers. I'd like to think that Ryan is even rubbing off on Lance a bit, and Lance is starting to mature … but the jury's still out on that one.
Then Ryan said something that surprised me a little. “But, you know, I'm starting to think it might be a good idea to move out and get a place of my own soon.”
“Really?”
“Yeah … you know … with you spending more and more time in Boston, and all. I dunno, it's kinda weird at the condo, always having to be quiet around Lance …”
Shit,I thought.Ryan wants to ask me to move in with him.
I didn't say a word. I was too freaked out to possibly speak. Ryan wants to ask me to move in, andIneed to tell him I'm pregnant. He'll be in for a big surprise when I ask if the baby I'm carrying can move in with us, too …
Sigh.
“You sure you're alright?” he asked.
“Uh huh.”
***
When we made it back to the condo, Ryan was having a harder time trying to hide that smile.
“What's gotten into you …?” I asked.
“Nothing. I told you, I missed you.” He pulled me near and smothered me with kisses. “Man, youreallylook beautiful today. You're glowing.”
“Thanks,” I said shyly, while my insides silently screamed,that glow you're seeing? That's your body noticing that I'm carrying your child!
It was time to tell him.
“Where's Lance?” I asked—because the last thing I wanted was Lance to rush into the room and yell,wait, did I just hear you say you're pregnant?!
“I dunno,” Ryan said. “Hey, why don't we go up to the rooftop? Have a drink? Maybe it'll help you relax.”
“I'm, um—not drinking,” I said.
“Sincewhen?” he laughed.
“Since …” I took a breath, mustering up the courage to say it—since I missed my period and took four pregnancy tests before I managed to haul my sorry ass to the doctor to confirm what I was seeing!
But Ryan stopped me before I could. “We can just drink a sparkling water, then. I just want to be with you up there and look over the harbor. It's a beautiful day.”
I nodded, suddenly thinking that breaking the news to him up there, overlooking the harbor might not be such a bad idea after all. It was one of the first places we started to get to know each other, after all.
“Yeah, okay, that sounds nice.”
We took the elevator to the roof, hand-in-hand. The doors opened and we stepped out—and I gasped with surprise.
Everyonewas there, all the WAGs and the friends I'd made in Boston and all Ryan's, too. The entire Brawlers team was there, Lance and Shea and Ilya and Josh and all the other teammates I'd gotten to know. Everyone was dressed so nice and elegantly and my mind flipped through all the dates in my head—was it my birthday? No, of course it wasn't …
“What … what is this?” I stammered.
I turned around, and Ryan dropped to one knee. “I wanted everyone to be here when I asked you if you'd make me the happiest man alive.”
“Ryan …!”
