Chapter 3
*October 2014 in Ann Arbor, Michigan*
I stood in the lobby of the rink, waiting for my cousin to come out. The UMich team just played an exhibition game against the USNDPT, which my cousin Matthew plays for. As I stood there in my leggings and USA jersey, my cousin came out in his navy blue sweats, smiling brightly at me.
"Ryan," he laughed, running over.
"Matt," I giggled, hugging him tightly.
"This is one of my best friends, Auston. Auston, this is my cousin, Ryan," Matthew smiled wrapping his arm around me as I stuck my hand out.
"Nice to meet you," I smiled, shaking the kid's hand.
"I'll be back," Auston mumbled before running off, leaving Matthew and I to talk.
"You did pretty well! Keith can't get too mad at you," I smirked, crossing my arms as I looked up at my cousin who shrugged softly, letting out a loud sigh as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
"I mean, I could've done better," he huffed, looking down at me. "How have you been? Hows Kev and Jimmy?" He smiled as I shrugged.
"I mean, they're fine. Haven't talked to them in a while," I laughed, watching the door open, a familiar face walking out, scanning the crowd. When we met eyes, his face dropped despite the soft smile I gave him. He put his hands in his pockets, kicking his feet as he walked over.
"Hey," he gulped as I smiled brightly at him.
"Matthew, this is my friend Dylan. Dylan, this is Matthew," I smiled as the two just nodded at each other.
"I should head back in the locker room, but I'll talk to you later, alright?" Matthew winked as I laughed, nodding my head.
"Sounds good," I laughed, hugging him tightly. "Good job today, bub. Love you," I sighed, patting his back.
"Love you too," he smiled, messing up my hair before turning to Dylan. "Nice to meet you," he smiled as Dylan nodded.
"Yeah, you too," he smiled softly, Dylan and I watching Matthew walk back to the locker room. Once Matthew was gone, I stared at Dylan with a smirk on my face, waiting for him to turn around. Once he did, he just stared at me with a straight face before crossing his arms.
"What?" I laughed, crossing my arms as I looked into his bright eyes. He just stared back at me making me laugh. "That was my cousin," I smirked as Dylan's face turned red. "Were you really mad because you thought that was my mans?" I giggled, wrapping my arms around Dylan's neck. He slowly uncrossed his arms, putting his arms around me.
"Maybe," he gulped as I laughed, shaking my head.
"What's wrong, Larkin? You mad because I don't want to go official? Don't want to put any labels on this?" I smirked as he just looked into my eyes. "How's this for reassurance that I still kinda like you?" I smirked, crashing my lips onto his. At first, he was hesitant to kiss back. Then, he pulled me closer to him, kissing me as if he has never kissed anyone before and will never be able to kiss anyone ever again. I pulled away, placing my hands on his chest, smiling up at him. "Just because I don't want to label this, doesn't mean that I have other options. You're my only option, I just don't want whatever this is to change," I gulped as he smiled, nodding his head.
"You know, this was the first time you showed any sort of affection towards me outside of your room?" He smirked as I laughed, hitting his chest.
"And you ruined this cute moment we had going," I laughed, pushing him away from me.
"I'll be over later," he laughed as I just rolled my eyes.
"Go back to your smelly locker room," I giggled, shaking my head as I headed towards the doors of the rink.
"See you in 20," he called out, laughing as he walked back to his locker room.
