Rachel's Turn

Chapter 13

While Rachel was getting ready, her phone rang. She jumped across the bed and caught it on the first ring and was slightly out of breath, "Hello?" It was not Ryan but her best friend Amy was on the other line.

"Hey girl, Are you ok? Sounds like you were running a marathon? I just got back in town and wanted to see if you were going to the game tonight. And, I wanted to ask about some gorgeous man you were with last night?" Rachel had forgotten that Amy would be back from Colorado today. Thank goodness she called, but she only had a few minutes to recap what was going on. Wait, she thought, how did Amy know about Ryan? Of course, the rumor mill was on overdrive since Rachel never had a boyfriend or was seen with a guy in that way.

"No girl, I am great. I was going to call you but didn't know when you would be home. You are not going to believe me." Rachel decided that she needed to go ahead and spout it all so she knew the truth and not some stupid rumor.

"Ok, remember Ryan? Well, he is home for a few days and appeared in my kitchen yesterday. Long story short we went to dinner, he kissed me, and we kissed some more, he ran by my house this morning and talked to my parents and is picking me up tonight for the game then we are hanging out. I am going crazy and I think he actually cares about me. He has been so amazing and even called me as he walked to my window last night just to give me a good night kiss. Oh Amy what is going on?"

It took Amy a minute or two to absorb all this information. She had heard Rachel talk about Ryan for 5 years and had actually met him on a trip to the lake with the family once or twice and he was hot! Every time Amy goes on family vacations with her own family something good always happens back home! She did not know what to say. "Rach that is awesome!!! Does he smell good? Did he tickle your fancy?" Amy knew that would make Rachel uncomfortable but it was funny. "Seriously, I am so happy for you but what about your sister? Does she know and what do your parents think? I mean I know you are 18 finally but he is still 24 and I would not think your parents would approve. And isn't he going away in a few days?"

"He is 23. Gee thanks Amy for bursting my bubble! Sara does not know because she has not been here of course, unless mom told her but probably not or I would have heard from her. You know how she is with him. And, I am not sure about mom and daddy. I mean they haven't mentioned anything strange. He talked to them this morning and will be here early to visit with them before we leave. Mom is mom so I am sure she knows something is up. But hey, I have to be ready in like 25 minutes so we will see you tonight if you are there ok? Glad you are back. I need ya!" Amy assured her she would not miss tonight's game for anything and off she went.

The sound of her parents driving up made her look at the time. They were early, so guess she had a little more time. Her mom came straight to Rachel's room and knocked on the door. "Rachel, honey, open the door." She opened the door and her mom continued," Ryan will be here shortly so you need to get ready. Listen, you know I am here if you need to talk and just remember to be careful ok. I love you."

"I will mom, I love you," she whispered as she hugged her and watched her walk down the highway. She knew that her mom was on the same page with her and knew that Rachel's heart was on the line for the first real time and as her mom always reminded her, she had her back. Just then, her phone rang again, thinking it was Amy she said, "Girl I will talk to you later, Ryan will be here any minute and I have to get dressed...I look like a hot mess..."

"I highly doubt you could ever look anything other than amazing, and I am sure whatever you are or are not wearing would make me happy," smirked the voice on the other end of the phone.

"Oh my goodness Ryan I am so sorry. How embarrassing I thought you were Amy, remember my best friend? She is back in town and called earlier. She might be there tonight so you will get to see her. Wait, why are you calling you are suppose to be here already? Are you not going? Is something wrong?" Her mouth kept rattling whatever insane thoughts her brain could conjure until he interrupted...

"Hey slow down there missy. I never said anything about not going or something being wrong. I am in the driveway and wanted to tell you HI and how much I can't wait to see you, before I went inside, that's all. And take all the time you need to get ready sweetheart. I am not going anywhere." With that he hung up the phone. She sat on the edge of the bed and felt like the biggest psycho ever.

About 20 minutes later Rachel appeared in the living room. Her mom saw her and approved of her attire, dark Capri jeans and a black, blue and white sheer peasant top over a solid black tank that hid everything it needed to hide topped off with the cutest black studded sandals. Before Ryan saw her mom look up, he already could smell the sweet scent of Love Spell from Victoria's Secret. It was Rach's favorite. He had remembered her sister Sara saying how Rach always stole it from her bathroom. He stood when she walked in the room which was strange and not normal behavior, but was nice.

All he wanted to do is take her in his arms but not there, not now. He excused himself for a moment and went to the restroom, but he actually snuck into Rach's room and laid a pink Gerber daisy on her pillow. Stepping back into the living room he looked at everyone. "Well, it was great talking to you mom, dad. I think we need to get going. Are you ready Rach?" She nodded and out the door they went.