Ryan stoodon the back deck of Bridget’s place, looking out into the deep blue water of Lake Tahoe. Tucked into the woods, her house was small, but the property was killer. She’d lived in the house for five years, but besides dropping Aidan off, he hadn’t been there until a few months ago. He’d always known this house had a view of the lake, but he hadn’t realized it was better than his own.
And the way it was tucked into the woods, with the yard carved out, gave her the kind of privacy he craved when he was home. He understood why Bridget had bought it from her parents when they were ready to downsize to a condo.
“Big Papa and Mama June just got here,” Aidan warned as he walked out the door from the kitchen. His white T-shirt highlighted his dark skin tone, and his hair was almost black, much darker than Bridget’s copper curls. But every time Aidan smiled, he looked so much like his mother. “Big Papa brought his clubs.”
Ryan’s eyes skated over the putting green cut into the side of the hill. Bridget’s dad was a big golfer, and both Aidan and Bridget played too. Ryan could under normal circumstances as well, but even though the MRI he’d had a couple of weeks ago was clear, the swelling and pain in his elbow weren’t improving. So after his last game, he’d gotten a cortisone shot. He didn’t want to be pulled from the rotation, but if he didn’t give the elbow rest, he might be. That meant too much of any type of movement was off the table, so golf definitely wasn’t happening.
He’d known Bridget’s parents for years, but since he was off this week and hanging out as much as he could with his girl, he’d suggested a sort of meet-the-parents night. They’d finally managed to get them here on Ryan’s last day in Tahoe. Her parents had always seemed to like him, but even so, he’d been a little stressed about the dinner for the last hour.
“You don’t need to break out the nerves,” Aidan said, and Ryan chuckled.
Aidan had endless confidence, and Ryan remembered the feeling well. Funny how they fled when something really mattered.
“Seriously, dude, at first I was and I oop when I heard about this ship.” Aidan shook his head. “Because you’re like goals and drip, and I kinda thought Mom was cheugy.”
Ryan shrugged and grinned, feeling about a hundred years old. He got the general idea behind what Aidan was saying, but the only slang in that sentence Ryan understood was “goals.” Because it had been a trending hashtag about a year ago.
“So, you coming home, I was high-key sus about this shit because no cap I want Mom to have something, ya know, fire. And I was worried it was more smashing for you. But this all just hits different, and I’m vibing with you. And Big Papa cuts through all that faster than me, so he’ll be dope.” Aidan nodded. “Just don’t suck at putting and you’re bank.”
Ryan had no idea what the hell Aidan had just said. Apparently, teenagers spoke in a slightly different dialect, but he was smiling and nodding, so Ryan assumed he was saying good things.
“Thanks man,” Ryan said.
“Sure. Wanna do me a solid?” he asked with a laugh. Aidan had been whining about the September sleep in Times Square, so Ryan knew exactly what the “solid” was.
“Oh no, I can’t get you out of sleeping on the sidewalk in New York. She wantsyouthere probably more than me.” Ryan shook his head. Bridget loved the idea and had even talked several Metros’ wives into signing up too.
“Really, bruh? You’re going to be happy sleeping on the street?”
Ryan tipped his beer bottle toward Aidan. “Let me tell you a secret that not many men will admit.”
Aidan tilted his head to the side, just like his mother.
“I’m happiest—when she’s smiling,” Ryan said, dipping his chin.
Life had shifted, and his days looked worlds different from a few months ago, yet he didn’t feel anything but good about it. He didn’t go out, because he wanted to be home to chat or have FaceTime dates with Bridg. The way she lit up when he had dinner delivered to her as a surprise or even how much she enjoyed playing Wordle with him made him happier than he ever thought he could be. This week they’d done a few puzzles, gone on a couple of hikes, and watched some moreGilmore Girls. All things most people would call ordinary. And yet he’d repeat this week over and over again forever because it made him so fucking happy.
“And to think I had my doubts about you.” The voice boomed with a just a touch of a chuckle at the end.
Ryan turned to see Bridget’s dad standing behind him. Bo was tall and lanky. His red hair, though, that was what popped.
“Hello, sir.” Ryan stuck his right hand out and winced when Bo shook it.
“So the rumors are true?” Bo asked as June and Bridget came out from the kitchen laughing. Although June’s skin tone and hair were much darker than her daughter’s, the two women looked so much alike. Especially when they smiled.
“Rumors?” Bridget asked, cocking her head.
“Surgery on the elbow? Out for more than the All-Star break?” Bo parroted what the media was saying.
“Dad!” Bridget sighed. “He doesn’t want to talk about it.”
“It’s fine, Bridg,” Ryan assured, sticking his hands in his pockets.
Just a few weeks before, she’d told him how her ex had expected her to keep the details of their relationship secret. He’d refused to let her talk about anything that didn’t make him look good to her family and friends. Ryan recognized it as typical alienation—and emotional abuse—and it wasn’t something he’d ever ask her to do.
“I have two weeks off for the break, and we’re hopeful that will be enough time to stop the pain and swelling. The plan is to be back on the mound next week.”
“Don’t push yourself if you’re hurting, Ryan,” June warned.