38. Ryan

38

Ryan

One Year Later

“ A lright, have a great summer! Come prepared to hit the ground running next year with field experience.” My professor sends us on our way to enjoy our summer break away from classes.

I’m not getting much of a break, though. I doubled down on summer courses to make up for the debacle that was my sophomore year at Springs U. None of my credit courses counted since I dropped all of them after the scandal. I’ve kept a low profile this past year. Sports media still uses my story to warn potential NCAA football prospects and current players of the dangers of sports betting. I don’t mind it as much as I used to. The thought of my story keeping other athletes on the straight and narrow brings me peace.

A year ago, I thought my life was over without football. I was ready to throw in the towel on school altogether and settle into the role of the town screw-up. Talking to Violet at the bar all those months ago put things into perspective. She didn’t take me back, and that was a punch straight to the gut. Part of me knew that she wouldn’t fold that easily, but the more optimistic part prayed that she would fall into us again. The truth is, I need her more than she ever needed me. I still do. Her rejection forced me to work on myself. I wanted to become better for her. Be the man she needed in her life.

My path wasn’t heading anywhere, and I needed to find my passion again. I spent those next few weeks at my childhood home. The space from Springs U was good for me, and I needed to decide for myself who I wanted to be. I spent hours researching potential careers, programs, and colleges that would accept me. I even toured local facilities of careers I was interested in to see if it would be a good fit. I made my way through lots of dead ends until I found my passion in the most unexpected place. Bringing my mom to her physical therapy appointments brought a new-found passion to the surface.

As much as I liked the PT office and was interested in how things worked, I never believed I could actually pursue it as a career. Everything changed when one of her therapists told me, “You are a natural at figuring out how her muscles respond to treatment. If you’re interested, you would have a bright future in this field.” That’s all it took for me to dive head-first into physical therapy schools and programs. Luckily, I was accepted into the local community college to finish off my undergrad credits. Next year, I’ll apply to physical therapy schools, and I've never been happier.I still volunteer at the community center. I've developed a bond with those little dudes. They need consistency, and that's what I've given them.

Jumping into my car to head home from the last day of the spring semester, I ceremoniously check my phone. My lips curve into a smile when I see a missed call from Violet. We’ve officially been back together for six months. Six long months without being able to call Violet mine was a special kind of torture, but it helped grow our relationship in the long run. I kept my distance for the first few weeks, but without Violet in my life, a piece of myself would always be missing. Life didn’t feel the same without her in it, but I knew she needed this space. After our lunch date at Pat’s Diner, we began seeing each other once a week. Not kissing or holding her hand was a test of my self-restraint, but I passed with flying colors.

I click her contact, and she answers on the second ring.

“Hey,” she says.

“Hey, Vi.” I’m so lucky to have her back in my life. I thought I lost her forever, but as much as I pushed her away with my decisions, she never relented. It was always only ever her, and I wish it didn’t take my stubborn heart this long to realize it.

“How does it feel to be done for the summer?!” she squeals. She doesn’t know it, but I have a big surprise for her.

“So good. Only online classes this summer, so you won’t be able to get rid of me,” I reply with the giddiest smirk only Violet Evans can evoke from me.

“I never want to get rid of you. I would have been gone a long time ago.” There's that smart mouth that I love so much.

“You mouthing off to me, Vi? What happened to the past stays in the past?”

“You know I need to keep you on your toes. I love you, though,” she says. I’m such a sucker, but hearing her say it warms me all over. I need her words to keep me grounded more than ever nowadays. We took one of those little online tests a few weeks ago to see what our love languages are. Turns out mine is words of affirmation and Violet's is acts of service.

“I love you, baby. I’ll call you later when I get home.”

Little does she know, I’m heading straight to her.