26. Ryan

26

Ryan

I park in my dark driveway, fumbling with my keys to enter my home. I haven’t slept here in a few nights and need to clean a few things before returning Logan’s call. I’m stalling as long as I can. I never know what to expect when I talk to Logan.

After cleaning the kitchen, putting clothes away, and changing into my favorite pair of gray sweatpants, I check the clock to see it’s already past 11 p.m. I guess I have to call him back before he starts calling repeatedly. Sitting at the kitchen table, I tap his contact to call as my hands instinctively run through my messy hair. Logan answers on the third ring, “Nice wins tonight, man!” He catches me off guard with his loud tone. His words slur together with loud music playing in the background of our call. He’s drunk. This should be fun.

“The transfer is coming through at midnight, right?” I keep all of my conversations with him short and to the point. Details with people like him get messy.

“Any minute now! Whatcha got for next week? I already have the betting lines,” he says. The bumping sound of music continues. The last thing I need is drunk Logan spilling information about my betting wins to random people at a bar. I need to end this conversation.

“We’ll talk soon, not tonight,” I say, hoping to get off the phone as soon as possible.

“Call me tomorrow, winner-” His voice cuts off, and the call ends abruptly. Thank God that wasn’t long, and Logan didn’t drunkenly spill my secrets. The only thing to do in this house without Violet tonight is refresh my bank account until the money hits. Once I get the notification that it’s in the bank, I pass out in the main room and don’t wake up until noon.

Violet

This weekend couldn’t have gone any better. Ryan was completely shocked when he saw me with his mom at the game. I knew this would put him in good spirits for the playoffs. His mom was touched that I offered to bring her and help with her medical supply transport to and from the game. It’s the least I could do for them. They’ve given me something I’ve never known before: a real family.

Sure, I had my grandpa, but I always craved the type of household that others had. The kind that showed up for your school presentations and athletic events. Grandpa had so much on his plate. He tried his best and gave me a stable life. Unfortunately, he wasn’t always there for the little things. Hartley has always been my big brother, but something inside me craved the maternal figure that I never had.

Ms. Valerie, Ryan’s mom, gives me that. She welcomed me into her home with open arms. She’s made me feel so comfortable around her. Before we left during Christmas, she pulled me aside and told me that if I ever needed anything, she would be one phone call away. She also asked me to watch out for Ryan. The wild thing is, I know she means it, and I’m comfortable enough to ask.

I’m leaving my mid-afternoon class to meet Hartley at the dining hall for lunch. We haven’t seen much of each other lately. He has football, and I have school mixed with Ryan time. I know this is a part of growing up and paving our own lives, but I miss him. I spot him across the huge fountain in the middle of campus. When he sees me, he waves at me with that goofy grin. I love him so much. He gives me a big bear hug, enveloping me in his arms.

“I’ve missed you, Vi. Ryan’s stealing all of my quality time with you now.” He laughs. He jokes about Ryan and me, but I know he approves our relationship. If he didn’t, he would have run Ryan off months ago. The reality of me dating a football player still makes him uneasy, but he knows Ryan treats me well, and that’s all he wants for me.

“I’ve missed you too. We need to block off a night where we order hot wings and play video games,” I smile up at my best friend. I'm craving a night with just the two of us. It'll be like old times.

“As long as you’re ready to get schooled in UFC Fight Night again!” he taunts.

“I think you mean win !” UFC Fight Night is our favorite video game. We’re both solid at it, but Hartley tends to win more than me. He’s really good at most of the video games we play, but I would never tell him that. I don’t need his ego to inflate even more. We meander through a flock of hungry college students to the front of the buffet line, make our plates, and find a window seat.

“Catch me up. What’s been going on?” he asks.

“Nothing really. My classes are pretty easy, and Ryan and I have been okay.”

"Okay? I'm not satisfied unless it's great." He hits me with a suspicious look.

"Everything is fine. I'm still trying to break down his walls, but I know that'll take time."

“I love that you’re happy. Just be careful. I can’t handle another broken heart,” he adds sincerely. When my grandpa died, Hartley was left to pick up the pieces. I know it would kill him to see me broken again.

“Don’t worry. It’s not like it used to be. I can handle him, and I’m stronger than I used to be,” I assure him. I love that he’s always been there for me, but I don’t want to add more stress to his life. He keeps a lot of his thoughts and worries bottled up. Not many see that side of him, but I know all too well how he processes his emotions.

“I’ll always worry about you.” He hooks me to his side and squeezes tight. He messes up my hair in the process, just like an annoying big brother would.

“What is the match-up looking like this weekend?” Changing the subject to get his mind off his worries. Springs U plays their second-round playoff game this weekend, and we’ll face a tougher opponent each round we advance.

“It’s going to be tough, but I think we can pull it off. Make sure your boyfriend stays locked in and focused,” he teases.

“Noted,” I laugh.

Before long, it’s time to head to our next class. Hartley and I leave with promises of spending more time together. I’m already excited to see my man and best friend play this weekend.