15. Wanna Bet? #2
“Oh my god. Kit’s up at bat. This is so intense.” I’m practically biting my nails as I watch her step up to the plate. My jaw drops on a thought as I turn to Fletch, shell-shocked. “Do I like baseball now?”
He looks at me with a solemn expression. “I hate to break it to you, firecracker, but I think you might.” A satisfied glimmer flickers in his eyes.
Ugh fine. I guess I like baseball now.
“Hah! I’m going to use that from now on. I’m so depressed I could eat a cow. Honestly same.”
I try to covertly wipe the tears from my eyes as the end credits start to roll.
“Admit it,” Ryan says from his end of the couch.
“Admit what?” I ask, pretending I don’t know what he’s asking me.
“Admit you loved the movie.”
I scoff. “You wish.”
“I do wish. But I also know. You loved it. You wouldn’t shut up through the entire thing. And I distinctly recall seeing you tear up at least three times.” He shoots a pointed look at me.
“Ugh, fine. Yes, okay? I loved the movie. Those girls were strong badasses and they played a damn good game and deserved to be recognized for it. Okay? Jeez.”
A flare of pride crosses his features before he smothers it back down into an indifferent, but amused expression. “Glad to know I picked the right one. I always knew I could convert you to being a baseball fan.”
I roll my eyes at him but can’t hold back the smile. Annoyed, but amused. It’s my base setting whenever he’s around. “That’s not the only reason you made me watch it though. Is it?” I ask, already suspecting I know the answer.
He’s silent a moment, looking down at where his fingers are running along the hem of my leggings. “No, it’s not.”
“You picked it because it’s about women playing a men’s sport in the professional world. Women, in general, breaking down barriers made by men,” I push.
Again, a moment of silence. “Yes.”
“You didn’t have to do that, you know?”
“I did though.” He looks up, sincerity clear on his face.
“I know you didn’t like that I intervened earlier, and I’m sorry.
I do understand it probably undermined your authority by having a man step in.
But dammit, it really pissed me off to hear him speak to you like that.
You can do anything you set your mind to.
Including security. Just because it’s a male dominated industry doesn’t mean you’re any less excellent at your job simply because you don’t have a dick.
” I snort at his well-placed use of the word dick.
“I guess… the movie resonated with me more than it had before. Because it shows strong women succeeding in a man’s world for their capabilities at something.
Even when the men returned from war. The league kept going because they were good.
And it was entertaining, obviously. But more than that, I wanted to cheer you up.
And make sure you didn’t take anything that asshole said to heart.
He’s a small-minded man who will forever live under his misogynistic boulder, crying about how women will never be as good as men.
Which is a goddamn lie because I’ve seen it firsthand with you and so many others. ”
Good god.
I’m a pile of mush on the floor.
Because I melted with every single word he said.
When I left the stadium, I didn’t think I had let that asshole’s words get to me.
But watching the movie and hearing what Ryan said?
Yeah, I guess his words dug a bit deeper into my thick skin than I thought.
Because he wasn’t entirely wrong. I know nothing about sports.
I don’t belong here. But I’m learning. And even though I may not know much about baseball, I know a lot about security.
So, fuck them. I’m still damn good at my job.
My eyes burn with tears trying to break free.
I blink a few times in an attempt to suppress them.
“Thanks, Ryan. I, um, really appreciate that. You’re really very thoughtful.
Even if you do get on my nerves on a daily basis.
” He snorts at my dig, which is what I was hoping for.
This is all getting way too deep and I need to lighten the mood somehow.
Maybe even change the subject altogether.
I flick my eyes to the clock on the microwave in the kitchen.
“It’s not even nine-thirty yet. What do you say we put on another movie for a bit before I head home?
My pick this time.” I settle back into the couch, keeping my feet firmly in his hold on his lap.
He tosses the remote my way with a soft smile. “Whatever you say, firecracker.”
A warm hand squeezing my arm gently jostles me from the dregs of sleep. As I blink back into consciousness all I can see is the soft glow of the TV playing sports highlights, volume muted, and Ryan hovering over my prone body with a soft smile on his lips. I didn’t even realize I had fallen asleep.
“Rise and shine, sleepyhead,” he says, voice laced with humor.
“What time is it?” I ask, my voice rough from sleep, as I stretch out my arms and rub the remaining sleep from my eyes.
“Nearly midnight.”
My eyes bug out of my head. “Oh my god. I didn’t mean to stay so late. Jordan’s probably freaking out. Where’s my phone?” I try to spring up from the couch but instantly get dizzy and black spots overtake my vision from trying to get up too fast.
“Whoa there, firecracker,” Ryan says with a gentle push on my shoulders that forces me to sit back down.
“I already spoke with Jordan when she texted you two hours ago. She knows you’re here.
Also, it’s okay that you’re still here.” He rubs the back of his neck, and I watch his cheeks turn a rosy pink in the dim light of the TV. “I actually like having you here.”