Touchdown

Chapter 4

We saw his car as we pulled up to the house.

"He's here," I whispered.

"Nice car," Ann said, looking at the charger.

"He always wanted one, I guess some things never change," I said walking through the door. I sat my purse down, as we started to walk to the kitchen, Ann put her hand up to stop me. I heard him before I saw him.

"Yeah, it's true. She admitted she was cheating, so I kicked her out months ago, I thought we could work it out, but then you called. Thankfully you talked some sense into me," Ryan chuckled. "Took me a few weeks but here I am."

"Don't worry you'll find someone."

"I think I already have."

"Damn already? Who is she?"

"You'll meet her soon, if things work out I'll bring her to your wedding."

"Sounds like a plan," Michael said laughing, "So, what's your plan until then bro?"

"Stay in town, hopefully work a few things out, then head to the beach house, for about a week before training camp starts. You and Ann should come to Miami, for a few days."

"Mila should come too," Ann said walking into the kitchen with me in tow. Opening the fridge I passed the beers around.

"Mila might be too busy," Michael said obviously annoyed.

"My schedule is free, just gotta let dad know I'm taking off," I shrugged.

"See," Ann said sweetly, "Mila's free, so when do we head out?"

"I've got to head out Sunday, if yall could drive my car down by Wednesday, that would be great. I'm Ryan, by the way, you must be Ann." Ryan said holding out his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Ryan. I've heard a lot about you." She said with a coy smile, looking directly at me. I prayed Michael wouldn't figure out they had already met.

"Hey Mila, long time no see," Ryan said sweeping me up into a hug.

"Yeah, nice to see you too, Ryan."

"Are the steaks on the grill?" Ann asked.

"Not yet," Michael replied.

"Ugh, guys can't get anything accomplished without a woman," Ann whined. Grabbing the steaks from the fridge she ushered Michael outside, turning to give me a wink as she closed the patio door.

"You used to tell Michael everything," Ryan stated.

"I still do."

"He didn't know I came over last night." My breath caught in my chest, "Relax, I just told him I was stopping by to see the old house and that you were outside and we caught up." He walked over to me and leaned over me placing a hand on both sides of my head trapping me against the wall. "All these years and you never told him about us?"

"No."

"Do you plan to tell him about us now?"

"Ryan," I said ducking beneath his arm, walking to the fridge I opened it peering inside at nothing.

"Mila, why don't you want him to know about us?"

Shutting the fridge, I turned to look at him, "Because if we don't work out I don't want him to have to choose sides, we both know he'll take mine and I don't want to be the reason you all aren't friends anymore."

"Shouldn't that be my choice?" Moving his hand on mine, he shut the fridge, I turned to face him, looking up into his blue eyes. "You're worth the risk." I felt his lips move into a smile as his tongue eased into my mouth, telling me a secret that only we knew. "Besides," he said pulling back, "if he stops talking to me how is he gonna get tickets to all my games?" I slapped his chest, just as the back door opened. I quickly walked to the island as Ryan opened the fridge.

"Ryan, you can stop looking so interested in the fridge, its empty," Ann said laughing. I felt the heat rise to my face as she looked at me. "Whatever you're doing to her, keep doing it."

"And why should I do that?" Ryan said wrapping his arm around Ann's shoulder looking straight at me.

"In the four years I've known her she's never blushed like that," Ann replied.

"You," I said looking at Ryan, "Wipe that smile off your face, and you," I said looking to Ann, "keep it up and when we get married, I'll pick out the ugliest bridesmaids dress you've ever seen."

"You wouldn't dare!" she shrieked.

"Try me ho."

"Wait," Ryan said with a huge grin, "You said when we get married."

"I did not!" I lied.

"Ann, am I hearing things or is Mila a liar?" The look he gave me made me blush even harder. I walked outside, leaving them squabbling inside.

"They team up against you?" Michael asked, while tending his steaks.

"Yup," I said defeated, taking a seat on the patio.

"Figures," Michael said handing me what was left of his beer, I greedily drank it down and smashed the can with my fist. I threw the can just as ryan stepped out, effectively hitting him in the head.

"Mila, you really should be nicer to Ryan," Ann said, "after all he's taking you to the fair tomorrow."

"Ann, I hate the fair! It's nothing but people you don't want to see and shitty rides," I groaned.

"Just be ready by seven, we'll meet up at your house and head out," Ann said definitively.

"Ugh, fine!" I whined, I said sitting at sitting at the patio table.

"Dig in," Michael said as he sat the steaks in the middle of the table.