Breaking Tradition

Chapter Twenty-Three: Rylee

Disclaimer: All characters and settings are purely fictional. If there are any similarities to real people or places, it is merely coincidental. The plot is written by me and not copied from any other writer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Test Run ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mikah and I were chilling at our favorite ice-cream shop, Munchies. It was locally owned by a man who served ice cream to most of the town throughout the years. Even though his daughter ran the store, he still popped up now and then to offer assistance. Mr. Turner was as sweet as the ice-cream he sold. Mikah loved going on the days he was to the store. He would give us warm smiles and serve us with good conversation and occasional banter.

We were a bit disappointed when we came in and didn't see him. After noticing we were looking for him behind the counter, his daughter told us that he was at the hospital for a checkup. She reassured us that it was nothing serious after noticing our worried expressions. We gave her sweet messages to pass on to her father before paying for our ice-cream and leaving the store. 

Mikah and I were practicing earlier today. She and a few others were helping me with my basket tosses. Mikah felt I just needed more confidence in myself. She drilled me about how I had the skills, but my insecurities prevented me from executing them the way Coach Lawson wanted. Mikah was right. My lack of confidence was an issue. It always was. I've been hurt by friends so much over the years, I doubted myself. 

Even though Theo and Hayden's cut off hurt me, it wasn't the first betrayal. Everything began with Vee. I never truly got over what she did to me. She was the Hayden to my Theo. I never doubted her or questioned her. I trusted her. Maybe too much. 

The comments she made about Theo at the time didn't sit well with me at the time, more so because of what I saw her did. She knew I liked Preston. She knew I cared for Theo, and she used both of them to hurt me. Even after seeing her betrayal with my own eyes, I stuck with her because she was my best friend. Then, she used Theo for money, and I lost it. I couldn't be friends with someone who used Theo as a bank card and Hayden as a lackey. Even though we weren't friends, they still meant something to me. 

So, I confronted her, and she shrugged it off. That shrug angered me so much I slapped her. It was one of the few times I ever hit anyone. She got so upset, she told me the reason Theo and Hayden were no longer my friends because I acted like I was better than everyone else. She told me they were just pitying me. I knew it was a lie. Theo and Hayden weren't the kinds of people to just be friends with people they pitied. But it did bruise my ego a lot. Maybe part of me did believe her. Or maybe, hearing those words come out of her mouth hurt me the most. After all, she was my best friend. 

"What are you wearing to meet your in-laws?" Mikah asked, shoving her mouth with a spoonful of ice-cream. We were sitting by the park, opposite the ice-cream shop. It was a beautiful day, so a lot of people were walking their dogs, playing with their kids, or just walking through the park. Mikah and I had found an empty bench to enjoy our ice-cream.

"Yeah, I'm going to wear my ivory blouse with the navy skater skirt I got over Christmas. Then, pair it with the nude pumps my mom got me," I replied, digging into my cup for another dip of ice cream. Mikah paused, trying to envision the outfit. 

"Accessories?"

"Uhhh, the bag you got me for my birthday and some pearl drop earrings I got out of the mall yesterday," I answered. Mikah nodded her head in approval. I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but Mikah is painfully gorgeous. She could have any guy to her feet, but I think having Hayden bend to her every will is all that she needs. He was like a slave to her every word. If she wasn't happy, Hayden would lose his mind until she was. She loves it and based on the way he looks at her, I think he enjoys it just as much as she does. 

"Are you prepared for the questions they will ask?" Mikah inquired. I raise my eyebrows, perplexed by what she meant. What was there to prepare? I knew the basics, name, age, parents, future aspirations blah blah blah. 

Mikah rests her cup to the side, "Rylee, sweetie, do you know who your boyfriend is?"

I nod, "Yeah, Theo."

Mikah shook her head, "No. Theo Bradshaw. Heir to half of Brad & Co." I shrugged. I didn't see what the big deal was. Sure, I knew Theo was rich, but I didn't care that he was. He never flaunted his money around me, either. Besides his car and home, he was like any other teenager at Devenport. 

"Does that matter? I mean, they probably only invited me to get to know them. Theo and I are pretty serious," I explain. It was true. When Mrs. Bradshaw called, she was sweet and warm on the phone. She explained how she wanted to meet the girl that stole her son's heart. Theo met my parents, so it only seemed fair that I would meet his. 

Mikah exhaled deeply, "Of course it matters, Ry. They don't want to get to know you. They want to see if you're a good match for their son. You know, the guy who is going to be running their business in the future. They want to see if you can handle being Mrs. Bradshaw."

"How exactly would they know that?" I ask, scrunching up my face. It was a good question. I was nothing more than a teenager. I couldn't possibly know what kind of woman I would be in the next few years. I could be a disaster for him now but a blessing in the next five years. That's how unpredictable life is. 

"Ok, let me test you," Mikah said. She sat up, fixing her posture. She brushed off some imaginary dirt on her shirt. She cleared her through and stared me down. 

"Darling, how do your future aspirations align with our son's? You are aware that we planned out his entire life from his inception?" Mikah asked, trying to sound polish and mature. 

"Well, my passion is to become a sports anchor. I think my goals are well suited with Theo's football aspirations," I started, but was interrupted by Mikah, who was pretending to be Theo's mom. 

"Football is a past time for his youth. He will be running Brad & Co. How do you intend to support him if you're a, what is it again, sports anchor?" I frowned. Was this dinner going to really be about how well I matched with Theo? Would I really have to suit my answers to fit their idea of what they believed Theo needed by his side?

"I love him. When the time comes, he and I will decide which is best for both of us," I responded, and Mikah crossed her arms to indicate an error. 

"You lost. Love means nothing in business. The correct answer is you will sacrifice your career and support him," Mikah explained. 

"I can't do that. I have dreams and things I want to accomplish," I exclaim. Mikah gives me a sympathetic look. I frown. Would my dreams be a hindrance to Theo? Would I be willing to give up everything I dreamed of for his future?

"I'm sorry, Ry. I just want you to be prepared. I know Theo cares for you, but in a family like his, love isn't important. Business is," Mikah explains. She smiles to comfort me, but I'm distraught by the idea of meeting Theo's parents tomorrow. 

"Rylee?" Mikah says. I look up and notice her eyebrows are tensed up. She seems to be worried about something. She gives me a forced smile before continuing, "You know you can tell me anything, right? I think I'm your best friend and me--"

"You are my best friend," I state, interrupting her rant. Her face relaxes. She cracks the widest smile, the toothpaste commercial one I envy but adore. 

"Good," she says before changing the subject to her and Hayden. With the sun shining on us, we continue to enjoy the day. I push the thoughts of Theo and his parents to the back of my mind.