Touchdown

Chapter 1

"How can I help you?" I asked not looking up.

"Better customer service would be great."

"Sorry," I said sarcastically, glancing up I plastered on a fake smile "How can I help you?"

"Now that's a smile I've missed. Black coffee to go please."

"What's the name on that?"

"Ryan."

"One fifty nine." I said looking up.

"Mila," my dad yelled, "it's on the house."

"Seems like it's on the house, Ryan. Have a good day." I said looking into his gaze.

"Thanks Mr. White."

"Have a good day." I said again.

"Not so fast," Dad said walking up, "I'm looking forward to seeing you play this season, son. Mila, surely you recognize Ryan."

"Ryan Fain, of course I do that's why I said have a good day." I gave him the finger as I walked into the back.

"It's Slate now," he called after me. "Guess she still doesn't want to see me."

"Ryan, let me talk to her."

He'd grown a foot at least, since I saw him last, his muscles were bigger, all together he looked like a completely different person. Everything had changed except his eyes, they were still the same pale blue that haunted my memory.

I heard the bell ding as dad walked into the back.

"You alright Mila?"

"Why's he here?"

"He asks about you every time we see him."

"What do you mean 'every time you see him'?"

"Ryan plays for the Jets, he sends tickets to Michael every so often and your brother and I head up to watch a game. How did you think we could afford to get such good tickets?"

"I think I'm gonna be sick."

"Mila... Honey it's been five years. Give the kid a chance, things change."

"I've got to go dad. I'll see you later, love you."

***

Rushing across town, I ran into my brother's gym. I headed into his office.

"Michael," I said, when he didn't look up, I slammed the door to get his attention.

"Tell me why Ryan's in town? Why did he change his last name? And why the hell didn't anyone tell me he went pro?" I demanded.

"Why does it matter that he went pro? Wait. Don't tell me you're suddenly interested," he said laughing.

"That's not funny."

"Mila, anyone who knows you knows you're not money hungry. And for the record I did tell you, I invited you to go to a game with me and dad, and you turned it down."

"When?"

"Two years ago when you were with Tyler."

"You never said anything about Ryan being there or playing."

"If I did would it have changed anything?" he had a curious look on his face.

"No."

"Then it doesn't matter does it? And do me a favor and don't bring the name thing up, it's a sore subject. After Mr. Fain killed himself, Marie started going by her maiden name then legally changed it, though I'm not quite sure why Ryan did. He didn't tell me why he's in town though I suspect it's to get away from the media, he broke up it off with his fiancé. Why all the questions?"

"He stopped by the diner this morning."

"Explains why he asked if dad still owned it. He'll be at my house tomorrow night. Come over, he asks about you every time we talk. I think it'd be good for you all to see each other."

"I don't know if that's such a good idea."

"Time changes people, Mila, and I promise we won't torture you like we used to."

"Thanks." I replied sarcastically.

"See you tomorrow night!" he yelled as I walked out.

***

I walked into my house knowing I had to find out what Michael was talking about, grabbing my laptop I headed to the couch and googled him. I looked through his Instagram and the first picture I saw was of his senior prom. It has Michael and his date, Ryan and me. As the panic sat in I switched to google, the  first result told me what I wanted to know, but I kept looking. 'Brooke Smith seen without engagement ring.' 'Ryan Slate and Brooke Smith over for good?' 'Brooke Smith seen moving out.' 'Brooke Smith caught with mystery man while in Italy for photoshoot.' Clicking the second link I read the headline. 'Cheating allegations, Brooke swears it's not true.' The pictures with the article clearly showed the model with another man, but why would she cheat on Ryan? A knock on the door jarred me from my thoughts.