Just Another Season

by Longley, Avery J.

  “Few more minutes I think,” Ryan murmured as he leaned against the wall beside her, knowing she would notice that he was quieter than normal. Before she could call him on it, he told her, “Coach said our little make out session was the highlight of the game.” When Emma started laughing immediately, he grinned and teased, “I think we could stand some more practice.”

  With an amused look on her face, she asked, “Practice, eh?” Ryan nodded and she rolled her eyes at him but the grin remained on her face. “We’ll see about that practice when we get back to the apartment.”

  Now, how he was viewed in the locker room didn’t seem to matter. He had ‘practice’ with Emma to look forward to!

  Chapter 18 - The Best Made Intentions

  It had been a long week. Emma had been called into the office the day after the Blizzard’s game and read the riot act about her kiss with Ryan. Despite her insistence that he wasn’t an active player and that they didn’t have that kind of relationship, the editor still told her she needed to watch herself. She’d questioned whether that kind of restrictions would be put on a male reporter and their female writing subject and was given no response.

  To add on to that stress, Ryan had finally scheduled and had his surgery and with that came the understanding that his parents would be driving out from Massachusetts with the rest of his and Luke’s stuff. They were supposed to be arriving later in the evening, and were all going to meet up at the Malone’s house to gather. Though still concerned about meeting Ryan and Gabi’s parents, Emma felt a bit more comfortable knowing it would be on neutral ground and she’d have friends around her.

  In the meanwhile though, Emma was more concerned with trying to get the restless Ryan to fall asleep. She’d brought him home from his outpatient surgery several hours earlier and thus far he’d been resisting sleep, though it was plain to see that he was exhausted.

  Finally, Emma saw Ryan’s eyes were drifting shut and she leaned closer, gently running her fingers through his hair. “That’s it.” she whispered softly to him. “Sleep, sweet boy. I’ll be right here.” His eyes flickered one more brief time before closing completely and Emma continued running her fingers through his hair until she heard him starting to snore soft.

  Backing away from him a bit, Emma watched him sleep for a long moment before a noise coming from the main room caught her attention. Poking her head out of Ryan’s bedroom, she found Luke sitting on their recently acquired couch with a cheeky grin on his face. “Bonjour!” He called out loudly and Emma cringed, gazing back into the room to make sure Ryan hadn’t stirred – and he appeared to not have.

  Stepping out of the room and closing the door behind, she stalked about halfway into the room and growled at him, “Enfant de chienne! Mange de la marde! I just got him to sleep, and you come in here running your mouth!”

  Luke just gave her that cat-eating-canary grin and murmured, “Well, Uncle Matty and Auntie Jo are here so.” He tilted his head off towards the kitchen area. Blinking, Emma turned her head and gazed into the kitchen, finding the older couple seated at her kitchen table. “It’s okay, venez ici.”

  The woman – Ryan’s Mother – came in first, coming straight towards Emma and wrapping her in a big hug. Emma was too surprised to respond appropriately at first but soon managed an awkward hug back. “It’s so nice to finally meet you! I’ve heard so much about you!” She pulled back from Emma and held her at arm’s length, asking, “Did I hear you correctly, our Turtle is sleeping?”

  Before Emma could answer, Ryan’s door opened and a sleepy looking Ryan emerged, balanced on his crutches and yawning soft. “Was. Hi Mama, Papa.”

  Ryan’s Mother let Emma go and started fussing over her son, giving Emma the opportunity to edge out of the room and back towards the kitchen. This wasn’t how she planned things. This wasn’t supposed to be happening now, and especially not here of all places. Not in her pitiful excuse of an apartment, not where she would again be judged for what she lacked.

  “Ryan’s looking for you.” Emma jumped when Luke snuck up behind her and spoke soft in her ear. “Not with words, but his eyes keep looking for you.” Emma stared at Luke for a long moment, letting her face slip into that easy mask until a slow smile finally curled over her lips. But just before she could peek out of the kitchen, to head back to Ryan, she heard Luke say, “I’m sorry, if I had realized bringing them here was going to be a problem, I wouldn’t have.”

  ~*~

  Though he was trying to pay attention to his parents many questions, to answer appropriately and otherwise be the good son he was expected to be, Ryan knew he was distracted – his eyes kept scanning towards the kitchen, wondering when Emma would come back out again. And finally, a minute or so after Luke had gone in after her, she emerged.

  She was still upset, that much he could see, even if she had put on a helluva mask. When he held out his hand, Emma came immediately, tucking up uncharacteristically close to his side. Ryan paused his conversation long enough to kiss her forehead then resumed answering his parents questions, keeping his hand sliding along her back in a slow, reassuring manner.

  “Emma.” He could tell she’d not been paying attention to the conversation, but did look up when she heard her name, and gazed in his mother’s direction. “I just wanted to express our gratitude for that article on our boys. I’m not sure there are enough thanks in the world for it.”

  “Naw, weren’t nothin’,” Emma replied softly, and Ryan could tell by the look on his mother’s face that she was as surprised as he was to hear that faint Massachusetts accent in her reply.

  His mother tilted her head a bit and said, “You’re from Massachusetts. I can hear it in your voice. I didn’t know that.” And she turned to Ryan who shrugged back at her. “Where are you from honey?”

  “Ah, Auntie Jo, always with the 20 questions.” That was Luke’s voice, coming from the edge of the kitchen where he leaned against the door frame.

  His mother blushed a bit and patted Emma on her shoulder. “You’re right, Luke. Where are my manners? I’m sorry honey, I didn’t mean to pry.”

  Keeping that same fake smile on her face, Emma raised her eyes so they were almost to his Mother’s and told her softly, “It’s okay. I was raised in Weston.” She managed a bit more of a smile, turning back towards Ryan and resting her cheek against his shoulder. “I thought I shook that accent, but it still makes an appearance from time to time.”

  This was so not the Emma he was used to. She was out of sorts and he needed to take control of this situation and fast, so he yawned and stretched his free arm up over his head, leaning momentarily on Emma to keep his balance. “I’m still pretty wiped. Would you guys mind horribly if we caught up later at Gabi’s?”

  “No, that’s fine sweetie,” His mother replied as she leaned close to kiss both his cheeks. “Emma, was nice meeting you, I do hope we can chat more tonight!”

  Emma nodded and smiled, but Ryan could feel her trembling a bit at his side. Gazing across the room at Luke, he silently begged his cousin to get his parents out of the room and quick, and mercifully, he obliged. Collecting his Aunt and Uncle and yapping away at them in French, Luke said something about his dog and the apartment and the arena before he was out of earshot and closing the door behind him.

  As soon as the door closed, Ryan immediately turned Emma in his arms, whispering into her hair. “It’s okay, I’ve got you.”

  “Leave me alone.” She whispered softly into his shirt, but she made no effort at all to pull from his arms.

  “Let’s go back to my room.” He told her softly as he attempted to lead her in that direction, trying to keep a hold on her while balancing on the crutches. As fragile as she seemed to be in that moment, he was afraid if he let go, she would run off. Finally they reached the bed and he slowly lowered himself down, relieved when she immediately followed suit.

  “I’m sorry.” She whispered against his shoulder in a raspy, choked up voice. “I tried. I tried.”

  What h
ad she tried, he wondered? But it was neither the time nor the place to ask and instead he shifted them both around until he was flat on his back and she was all but lying across his chest. With one arm wrapped around her back and the other running through her hair, Ryan reassured her softly, “It’s okay. Everything is okay. I promise.”

  She shook her head a bit but didn’t argue – but still, he could feel his shirt getting moist from her tears and it damn near broke his heart. He wanted to understand what made her so upset, wanted to make sure it didn’t happen again. But in the meanwhile, all he could do was hold her, try to comfort her, and hope that she truly was up for going over to his sister’s tonight.

  “Just rest. I’ve got you.” He started before she shook her head again and hiccuped.

  “You need your next pill. Should be me putting you to sleep, not the other way around.” Emma briefly tried to get up, to head towards the kitchen to get Ryan’s pill, but he made no effort to loosen his grip and she instead settled back down against him again.

  “We’ll rest together, okay? I’ll take care of you, and you can take care of me.” He kissed the top of her head gently then turned his head so that his cheek was against her hair. He moved them both side-to-side, trying to almost rock her to sleep.

  “Sleep.” She mumbled, even as it sounded as though she was almost there herself.

  “I will,” Ryan promised. “I will.” Once I’m certain you’re okay, of course he continued to himself. And soon enough she started to snore soft, one hand still tightly clutching his shirt, all but clinging to him. “It’s going to be okay, baby. I’m not going to let anyone or anything hurt you again.”

  Tightening his grip, he kissed the top of her head once more until his eyes started to drift. He hoped that they’d wake in time for the gathering at his sister’s house, but at this point, that wasn’t a priority.

  Emma was.

  Chapter 19 - Perceptions

  It was the sound of his phone vibrating off his nightstand that woke Ryan up and left him flailing around a bit trying to find the device and find out who was trying to reach him. When he realized he wouldn’t be able to reach it without separating from Emma, he took care to unwind her hand from his shirt and then rolled closer to the edge of the bed. Finally, able to make a grab at the phone, he snagged it just as it vibrated again.

  What are you two planning on for tonight?

  A text message from Luke. Ryan turned back to Emma more, seeing that despite his movements, she still appeared dead to the world. Using one hand to reach across the bed and stroke her cheek, he smiled when her subconscious reaction was to nuzzle back against his hand. With his free hand, he typed back a response to Luke, letting him know that while he was up for going, Emma was still sleeping.

  I could drive you? Unless you want to pass and stay with her?

  Furrowing his brows a bit, Ryan gazed back and forth between his phone and his woman. Would she understand if he left without her? Would she appreciate that he didn’t want to pressure her into dealing with his family before she was ready to? Sighing soft to himself, Ryan sent another text back to Luke, telling him he’d meet him outside in about 10 minutes.

  With that done, he grabbed his crutches from their spot on the wall and hobbled off towards Emma’s room, grabbing a blank piece of paper from her printer and leaving her a note, explaining where he was and how he got there. He let her know that she was more than welcome to join them but he didn’t want to force her. And if she didn’t want to come he’d understand. Signing it, he maneuvered back into his room and folded the paper neatly, tucking it beneath her hand so that she’d find it when she did wake up.

  Using the remaining time to change and clean up, Ryan ended up outside even quicker than he anticipated, and found that Luke had already warmed up his luxury car. “Thanks, I appreciate the ride,” he murmured as he slid into the seat.

  “No problem.” Luke paused for a moment, then asked in a softer voice, “She still upset with the visit?”

  Ryan shrugged a bit. “I think so, but it’s hard to tell with her. She kept trying to apologize for something before she finally fell asleep. I’m hoping she’ll show up later or that we’ll be able to talk more tonight.”

  Luke reached over to pat his cousin on the back then resumed the trek to Gabi’s house – soon enough, they were pulling into her driveway, where Ryan reversed the earlier process to ease himself out of the vehicle. This time it was his father holding the door open, and he gave him half a hug before continuing inside, automatically moving straight to the reclining chair.

  “No Emma?” His mother questioned as he settled down with a soft sigh.

  “She wasn’t feeling well.” Ryan explained softly, hoping he wouldn’t have to elaborate, though he did see Gabi shooting him a look out of the corner of her eye.

  “Given how viral that picture of you two kissing went I’m not surprised she’s feeling under the weather. Especially given that no-fraternizing clause in her assignment. I bet she got into some heat at work for that.” Ryan blinked, and then turned to stare at Gabi. He’d known about the clause – they’d discussed it before – but not that there had been pictures of the kiss, or that they’d made the rounds on the web. “Oh yes, little brother. The kiss and your subsequent dazed expression have been allllll over the web. I think people find it endearing.”

  I’m sure her boss didn’t find it endearing, Ryan thought to himself, but had the presence of mind not to voice it. Still, he shook his head a bit, wondering what other kind of things Emma was keeping from him.

  “Any other interesting tidbits come from that game?” Luke inquired casually and this time Ryan’s eyes were cutting in his direction, where Luke promptly winked at him.

  “Not that I’m aware of. Why? You have some news for us too, Lukey? A new girlfriend perhaps?” Gabi teased.

  Before his cousin could explain – or try to – Ryan jumped in, answering, “He told the team he was ambidextrous. Because I wouldn’t tell him the right word to say he was bisexual.” He waited a moment, seeing the recognition flash in Gabi’s eyes, and the confused look on his parents' and Devin’s faces. “I wouldn’t give him the right word, because I didn’t want him taking on my burdens. He’s not the bisexual one. I am.”

  Luke huffed a bit. “Is that why they were laughing at me when I said ambidextrous? You ass.”

  Ryan didn’t immediately respond; he was too busy staring at his parents, trying to gauge their reactions to his sudden announcement. His mother looked confused, while his father seemed almost indifferent? “Mama. Papa?” He finally started, “Say something, please?”

  “But you have a girlfriend, yes? Emma?” His mother questioned with her brow still furrowed. “Does this mean you’re looking for a boyfriend too?”

  This time it was Gabi jumping in, trying to explain, “No, it means he’s equally attracted to men or women. As it stands right now, his current flame is a woman. Now, if he went through significant others like our darling cousin here, I’d say he could well be looking for a boyfriend too. But I suspect he’s too smitten with Emma to even think about looking elsewhere.”

  Blushing rather profusely at her assessment of his feelings, Ryan still managed to mumble. “I’m not looking for a boyfriend. Though, if something was to happen to end my relationship with her and the next person who caught my fancy happened to be male, I would not object to that.”

  His mother still looked confused, but a small smile had finally settled on his father’s face. “Whatever makes you happy, son. If that’s men or women, doesn’t matter to me if you’re happy.”

  “Papa said what I was thinking,” Devin piped up. “And if anyone ever gives you trouble, you let me know. I’d be happy to give them trouble right back.”

  Bringing her palm to her face, Gabi mumbled, “Don’t you be getting any bright ideas, Papa. I don’t want to be bailing all the men in this family out jail.”

  ~*~

  It couldn’t have been more than 5 minutes afte
r Ryan had left that Emma had awakened, aware of his absence, the lack of body warmth against her. And while she found his note, she was less than pleased by its contents. As far as she was concerned, if he had really wanted her there, he would have woken her.

  Grumbling a bit and heading off to the kitchen to set his next pill out for him, she soon ended up back in her own bedroom with the door ajar. Changing into her pajamas and setting up the bed so she could just climb into it, Emma waited for her laptop to boot up as she paced around the room. Why had she fooled herself into thinking that she was of any importance to him? Why were his actions so contradictory? Did he only care when they were in the same bed?

  Determined to test that theory as the evening progressed, Emma went over to her laptop, still mumbling under her breath as she went to work. Soon, as it began to get even later and Emma wondered if Ryan was ever coming back, she started to work on the Blizzard items. It was random news and notes from the past week, rumors and such and how they affected the team. There had been talk about a higher level team assigning one of their backup goalies down to the Blizzard, which if it occurred would be the team all but confirming that Ryan was done for the season.