21. Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

MIA

E than and I just arrived in New York for the next game tomorrow, and we are getting a ride to the hotel.

I post a thoughtful message on social media declaring I'll be offline for a while since things are so busy these days. It prompts inquiries from everyone, including my mother.

Among them was Ryan.

My phone vibrates, and I see a text from Ryan, asking if I'm okay.

Ryan, I'm okay, just tired. Ethan and I are heading to the hotel. I text him.

Does he know you're talking to me right now? Ryan replies, displaying his usual insecurity.

I look at Ethan. He has a caring arm around me, but his free hand is busy with his own phone, looking at pictures of his son chowing down some McDonald's at the mall, completely oblivious to me.

He's in his own world, Ryan, I send. But he knows we talk, and he doesn't mind.

I lean against Ethan's shoulder to smell his addictive cologne. It's imported, expensive, musky, and entrancing. He doesn't overdo, using just the right amount.

"Hmm, you smell so nice," I say.

"Your perfume drives me crazy too," he purrs, kissing the top of my head. "Who were you talking to?"

"Ryan," my voice carries undertones of annoyance. "Another one wanting to know about my post."

My phone vibrates again with a notification. It's Ryan, this time with an offer I can easily refuse.

Since you are in New York… Wanna grab lunch today? His text reads. I wrinkle my nose.

Just you and me? I text back skeptically.

Bring a friend. Ryan sends.

Haha, I don't have any friends. I text back, frowning. I'm bringing Ethan.

Come alone, then. We can just catch up.

I frown . Why do you want to see me so badly, Ryan? Do you feel like I cheated on you?

His next text comes through. I'm not stupid, Mia. I know this happened just now. I trust you. I just want to check on how you're doing in person. Be your friend, you know?

That last sentence moves me. It's not every day that somebody offers to be a friend, and even if it is my ex, I'm so lonely I'm willing to take it.

Where ? I text, and soon comes the address and the time.

I put the phone down and the conversation ends. I must look more upset than I realized because Ethan turns to me and gives me a concerned look.

"Everything okay?" he asks gently.

"Humpf," I scoff. "Your brother wants to see me."

"Well…" Ethan looks uncomfortable. "He'll see you during the game, right?"

"He wants to take me out for lunch, Ethan," I confess.

"And are you going?" He raises an eyebrow.

"I don't really want to, but I also don't know," I say, rubbing my forehead. "He seems genuine in his intentions, but it's weird to see him without you."

Ethan looks straight ahead and sighs. "Let's go together. I want to hear what he has to say."

I nod. I fall asleep in Ethan's arms, and before I know it, we're at the hotel.

As noon approaches, I find myself caught up in preparations for the upcoming event tomorrow. I'm running behind and just tell Ethan I'll meet him and Ryan for lunch.

I didn't tell Ryan that Ethan was coming, and I can only imagine his face when he realized he was there. They're already together when I arrive.

Ryan looks at me with a crooked stare as I kiss Ethan in greeting and take a seat. Ryan offers me his hand to shake, with an expression of disbelief. "God, you must be working hard."

"Do I look that terrible?" I say. The truth is I had no time nor the will to fix myself up for this lunch, so I'm just wearing my work clothes, and Ryan will just have to deal with it.

"No! It's just…" he signals the bartender for a drink. "The bags under your eyes could carry your luggage!"

"That's not a very nice thing to say to a lady, Ryan," Ethan says, annoyance clear in his voice.

"Don't worry," I scoff. "There's not enough concealer in the world to hide these things anymore. By the way, how did the New York Stormbringers' directors react to you choosing to sponsor the Iron Huskies instead, Ryan?"

Ryan rolls his eyes. The Stormbringers asked for his company's sponsorship when he first showed interest in sponsoring an NHL team, but in the end, he went with his hometown team. "It's like us. Amicable but hostile at the same time."

"Why hostile?" Ethan turns to his brother. "I thought you two ended things on good terms?"

I sigh and sip my drink. I think it's safe to say I'm getting addicted to Shirley Temples.

"Yeah, do you think I'm hostile to you, Ryan?" I say. "I mean, I agreed to meet you for lunch today. How is that hostile?"

"That's not what I meant, Mia…" he gently taps the counter with his knuckles. Ethan orders a beer, and Ryan keeps talking. "I'm not used to not having your undivided attention anymore."

"So, are you jealous of me?" Ethan asks, resting his head on his hand.

"No!" Ryan brings a hand to his forehead. He turns to me with exasperation. "The truth is I think Ethan is better for you than I could ever be."

My eyes open wide in surprise at his admission, and I freeze with my Shirley Temple in front of my lips.

Ethan stops and looks at Ryan with wide eyes, a hand in front of his chin, nodding slowly. As a final act of peace, Ethan offers his hand to Ryan.

"That's something very honorable to admit, Ryan," he says, his tone dead serious. "Thank you."

Ryan looks at Ethan's outstretched hand but takes a while to remember what to do with it. Their beers arrive, and only then does he shake Ethan's hand.

"Suddenly, I don't feel like eating anymore," Ryan says, standing up without touching his drink. "But I'll leave the table paid for you, okay? Good luck with the game tomorrow, Ethan."

He pats us both on the shoulders, leaving just in time to avoid Ethan's protests over him paying the bill. Ethan and I are left alone to mull over his absence, and when I notice Ethan is not breaking the silence any sooner, I take care of it.

"Well, this was weird," I say, half a laugh stuck in my throat.

"I don't know what the hell he wanted, but I sure ruined his plans," Ethan says, nursing his beer.

I sigh, saddened all of a sudden. I still care about Ryan. Not like I used to, but I don't want him tortured by Ethan, even though I feel a little vindicated for all the times Ryan neglected me.

"He said he wanted to be my friend, Ethan," I explain. "It sounded like a genuine offer."

Ethan wraps an arm around me, his eyes full of compassion and a bit of pity.

"You've known Ryan for quite some time, but I've known him for longer," Ethan starts, his tone low and wise. "Ryan might be genuine in his way, but he's got his insecurities, you know? He tends to make things about himself when he's feeling threatened or left out."

"Are you saying he's jealous?" I look at him, with knowing disbelief.

"Not saying that. But he did always want to be better than me," Ethan says.

"Oh, that part I know," I reply, dispirited.

One of the waiters approaches us with the menus, looking far too happy for a Wednesday afternoon.

"The gentleman who just left has dropped five hundred dollars in credit for you two," he says, and now I understand his happiness. With such a big amount of money, there's going to be a lot left for his tip. "Let me know when you're ready to order."

"Oh, I want an expensive bottle of wine!" Ethan buries his face in the menu.

"And I want dessert for lunch!" I say, digging into the options too.

Despite the awkwardness, I'll have to remember to thank Ryan for his generosity when I can.