Page 38 of Buried Treasure
Chapter 13
"Sydney. Sydney. Sydney. Sydneyyyyy."
"For the love, Ryan! Stop with the whining."
Instead, the rookie gave her an exaggerated pout and slumped down on the bar stool at her kitchen counter, propping his chin up with his hand. Then he gave Sydney his best puppy dog look.
"You're abandoning me," he said with extra sappy sadness.
Sydney rolled her eyes at her annoying neighbor. "I'm not abandoning you," she said. "I just don't want to go to the arena."
"You love going to the arena," he said. "You always ask me for game tickets."
She sighed and looked down at her feet. He was right. She was always asking him for tickets. Occasionally, he would actually come through. Lucy and Sydney had some great times at some great games in amazing seats thanks to Ryan.
But she knew exactly what would happen if she went to tonight's game. People had seen her face everywhere. They knew who she was now, and they wouldn't like her. The stares, the jeering. She couldn't handle the idea of going out and facing that in one of her favorite places. It wouldn't be her favorite place if she did that.
"I loved going to the arena," she explained. "But I don't think I'll love it right now."
"Sydney, you can't hide in your apartment forever," he said.
"What are you talking about?" she asked incredulously. "I went to that bar with you the other night."
Ryan stared at her. "That's the only time you've been out of this building."
"Not true!"
He gave her a skeptical look. "Really?"
"I also went to my lawyer's office," she muttered.
"That doesn't count," he said with a teasing smile. "Take off, eh."
Sydney laughed, knowing she was pressing Ryan's buttons when he pulled out his "Canadian hoser" words for extra entertainment. She knew he was right, and the over-stereotyped Canadian shtick just emphasized how much he knew she was lying.
"You are so frustrating sometimes," she told him.
"So are you, Barton." He got up off the stool and walked over to Sydney in the kitchen. "I know you're the straight-laced one and I'm the goofball, but can I be serious for a second?"
She gave him a worried look. He rarely said anything serious to her so this was definitely something new.
"Go ahead," she said quietly.
"Things have sucked lately, but you've been much stronger than I ever would've expected you to be. Going to the arena won't be hard for someone like you."
"Thank you," she muttered. "But maybe later. I can't do it just yet."
He leaned up against the counter next to her and folded his arms across his chest. "Sydney, you have to see people at some point."
"I already see people."
Ryan shook his head. "Listen, it's been awesome having you around with the surgery and everything, but come on. You've been hanging out with a gimp, his mom and his trainer. Hell, I'm impressed you took a shower today if that says anything about what's been going on with you lately."
Sydney gave him a weak smile. "Duly noted."
"You're still not coming with me tonight, are you?"
"Nope."
