Sweet Caroline {Ryan Blaney} ✔️

thirty

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Caroline bounded through the door, a wide grin plastered on her face. "They had cookies."

"Did they?" Ryan reached over, ruffling her hair. He desperately hoped that she couldn't see the millions of emotions that were whirling around his head.

When he had gotten out of the car and Alyse had told him that social media was blowing up with the rumors about him having a child, it felt like the world was starting to crumble. This wasn't how things were supposed to go.

In the pit of Ryan's stomach, he knew that he had failed. He had failed Caroline and that feeling made him want to vomit.

But Alyse had reassured him that she would have a statement to release within the hour and Lydia had reassured him that they would tell Caroline together and no matter what happened, it'd be okay.

"I have the statement." Alyse flashed her phone, motioning him to follow her outside.

"I'll be right back, okay?" Ryan patted Caroline's head before joining Alyse outside. As soon as he shut the door of the motorcoach, Alyse handed Ryan her phone.

"I have become aware of the rumors surrounding the possibility that I have a daughter." Ryan read the words on her screen aloud, "While I would like to confirm the rumor, I am asking for privacy during this time. Thank you for your support."

"How does that sound?" Alyse asked. "I think it'll get the job done although you will be the talk of the garage for a while."

"Right." Ryan frowned. "It sounds great. You're going to post it for me?"

Alyse nodded, "I'll post it when I get it back to my hotel. It's going to be okay."

"I hope so." Ryan let out a nervous laugh. "I just hope Caroline takes the news okay and that she still wants me around." Ryan winced -- that was his biggest fear, that Caroline would reject him.

"I can't see a scenario where that would happen." Alyse patted Ryan on the shoulder. "Good luck, let me know how it goes."

"I will," Ryan turned towards the motorcoach, punching the code in.

Stepping inside, he was greeted by Lydia. "I've got a plan."

Ryan furrowed his brow. "For what?"

Lydia let out an exaggerated sigh but a smile on her face told him she was mostly kidding. "To tell Caroline. So the morning before the Roval race, she asked me if you could be her dad."

Ryan's heart fluttered a little. "Wait, she did? Why? And why didn't you tell me?"

"According to her, you play with her and bring her pizza like her friends' dads do. I didn't tell you because Stacy was there and then everything after that happened so fast and I guess it slipped my mind."

Ryan nodded slowly. "I think that'll be good. I mean, she's young -- we can tell her the full story when she's older."

Lydia nodded, "Exactly." She reached over, squeezing his hand. "It's time." She turned, calling for Caroline. "Sweetheart, we need to talk to you about something."