Page 159 of What are the Risks
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
They’re kissing
Ryker
Today was the day. All those years of early starts, late nights, perfecting plays, and putting in the hard yards had led to this – the NFL Draft.
I’d slept terribly last night, if at all, tossing and turning in the unfamiliar bed. It didn’t help that my family’s flight was cancelled yesterday afternoon. For a moment, Mum’s dramatics had me worried they wouldn’t make it at all – until Cherie called five minutes later to say she’d managed to rebook everyone for first thing this morning.
They were due at the hotel any minute, but so was my driver to take me to the function centre where the Draft was being held. I hoped I’d be able to catch everyone before I had to leave – especially Ruby.
We’d only exchanged two measly texts over the past few days. One where she’d said we’d talk once this weekend was over, and my pathetic reply of a thumbs up.
We’d never sent each other a thumbs up before, yet here we were... twice in one week.
I assumed she was still coming, but honestly, I wasn’t entirely convinced. Mum had mentioned she’d met Noah for coffee whileI’d been gone – and I’d also heard about the sighting from countless nosy sources – so fuck knew where her head was at.
It hadn’t been easy giving her space, not after the way we’d left things. But Ruby knew how I felt. Hell, I’d dropped the L-bomb. I couldn’t get more honest than that.
If she felt the same? Fan-fucking-tastic. If she didn’t? I couldn’t force it. She either wanted me, or she didn’t. The next move was up to her.
“Your mum just called,” Dad said, stepping into the elevator beside me. “They’re pulling up now.”
“They?”
“Everyone.”
Did that include Ruby? The anticipation was killing me – more so than waiting to hear my name called out today.
It hadn’t even been a full week, and I already missed her so fucking much. I was used to not seeing her each day, but not talking at all was fucking brutal.
I’d lost count of the times I’d almost caved, unlocking my phone to message or call her. But if she still wasn’t sure about what she wanted, pushing her wouldn’t help. If anything, she’d label me as stage-five and never speak to me again.
“You ready?” Dad checked.
Meeting his eye in the elevator mirror, I managed a nod. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
I’d opted for a simple grey suit, tailored to fit me perfectly. Though as comfortable as it was, I was already itching to take it off. The tie felt like a noose, and I had no doubt the sensation would worsen once my nerves really set in.
Dad placed his hand on my shoulder, squeezing firmly. “Whatever happens today, your mother and I are proud of you, son.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I exhaled slowly. “Let’s do this.”
The elevator opened on my crazy family, who’d completely taken over the lobby. Mum and Stefan were helping my sister and brother-in-law wrangle the twins, Brady and Tori were checking-in with Brady’s parents, Cherie and Doug had found the bar, and then there was Ruby – patiently waiting amongst the chaos.
She was standing beside her familiar suitcase, the one I’d come to love seeing beside my dresser at Phil-U. My bedroom had always looked better with her things in it. It smelt better with her perfume lingering in the air. My bed was comfier when she was lying beside me. And throwing socks at my ceiling fan was a thousand times more enjoyable when she was there to throw them back.
Every aspect of my life was better with her in it.
I watched the relief wash across her face when she spotted me. It would’ve mirrored my expression. With her close by, I finally felt at home for the first time since landing in Las Vegas. No matter where we stood, seeing her would always lift my mood.
Perhaps I’d made a mistake telling her how I truly felt. If I’d just left things as they were, she would still be by my side today – even if we had to hide it from our parents.
I’d depended on her my entire life, and today was no exception. I needed her – to calm me, to keep me grounded, to make me happy – more than she knew.
I guess that’s what love fucking did.
Mum squealed, startling me. “There he is. My gorgeous son!”
