Page 133 of What are the Risks
“You should apply, Rubz.”
Though the moment the words left my mouth, part of me regretted them. Seattle wasn’t central. If I got drafted to an east coast team, Ruby and I would be on opposite sides of the country. God only knew when I’d see her.
“If it’s what you want, Rubz, I say go for it,” I added, setting aside my own desires. “You’re single now. It’s not selfish to put yourself first.”
This was Ruby’s life – not mine. She shouldn’t change a thing to keep me or any other guy happy.
“What about you?” she murmured. “Where do you think you’ll end up?”
“It’s hard to say.”
It depended on so many things. Not only where the teams finished up at the end of the season, but what type of players they were needing. My teammates were regularly posting countless theories in the group chat, but I wasn’t letting myself get attached to any.
Ruby’s leg draped over mine, keeping me in place. Seemed like she wasn’t hating the cuddle after all.
“I know the chances are low, but I hope we end up close by. I’d miss you too much otherwise, Wheels.”
A shadow fell over my good mood. The uncertainty of my future wasn’t something that plagued me, but the idea of it being on the other side of the country from Ruby definitely did.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Screw saving face
Ryker
Mum and Cherie were beyond drunk. Most of the guests had left an hour ago, but they weren’t showing any sign of slowing down. They’d taken on the responsibility of finishing off all the open bottles of wine.
God help us all.
I’d Snapchatted plenty of their drunken antics to Ruby. She’d responded to a few on her tea break, but she’d now been quiet for a while, so I was guessing she was back at work.
“Ryker, honey, come dance with us,” Mum called out.
They were living out theirCoyote Uglymoment, dancing on our kitchen island like they were in a bar.
“Not a chance, Mum.”
“Don’t reject your mother on her birthday,” Cherie scolded, a playful edge in her voice.
Doug came to my defence. “Leave him be, Cherie. Can’t risk him getting up there and injuring himself.”
I snickered. “Thanks, Doug.”
He was standing beside my dad, watching their wives with a mix of second-hand embarrassment and pride.
“I spoke to Ruby before her shift, and she mentioned you stayed with her for a few nights in Ohio before coming home,” Doug said, a hint of curiosity in his voice. “Did you get up to much?”
“Umm.” Nothing he wanted to hear. “We just hung out.”
“How’s she doing?”
After I’d been done with her? I liked to think sore yet satisfied. Our time together had been short, but we’d managed to sleep together once more last night and again in the shower this morning.
In no way had it scratched the itch. If anything, it only made me want her more. Barely twelve hours ago I’d had her pinned against her tiles, yet it already felt like I hadn’t touched her in months.
Whatever this feeling was, I needed to get it out of my system before the end of the summer, because trying to visit Ruby if she moved to Tacoma would be near impossible once football started up.
“Fine, I guess,” I answered. “She said work has been busy.”
