31. Ryan
THIRTY-ONE
Ryan
Turns out Gunner wasn’t exaggerating when he said he had a big following. My phone has been buzzing nonstop since we left the yoga studio. I’ve had hundreds of texts and social media messages, everything from strangers to old teammates to my mom.
She thinks I’ve had one too many concussions, but the joke is on her. I haven’t had any lately.
The reporters camped outside my house, along with several of the ladies at the science center, think I’m romantic. June doesn’t think so yet, but she will. Nick, my agent, thinks I’m brilliant, but I don’t have the heart to tell him none of it was faked.
And Dean? Well, with the sour look he gives me as I open the door, I’d say he doesn’t think I’m romantic either. He should consider himself lucky I asked him to come in early to meet the fam.
“Brother.” I greet him with a nod, waving him into the penthouse.
He snorts a laugh, patting me on the chest. “Busting out the B word already? Does June know about our blood relation?”
Jesus. Blood relation. Doesn’t sound creepy or anything. Leave it to Mr. Fancy Suit to ruin a good time.
“Yep.” I nod, jamming my hands in my pockets, keeping my eyes trained on the ground. If he doesn’t ruin a good time, bringing up the D word sure will. And no, I’m not referring to my dick. “I told her about our dad too. There’s a chance he doesn’t know about Oliver yet, but I wanted her to know in case he ever decided to reach out.”
“There’s no way he doesn’t know.” When I simply stand there and blink at him, he sighs, obviously exasperated with me already. “Your escapades from this morning are everywhere. Your Instagram is blowing up, you’ve gone viral on TikTok, and you’re trending on Twitter or X, whatever it’s called now. It even made the local news.”
“I didn’t know you were keeping such close tabs on me.” I hold my hand over my heart and tilt my head to the side, giving him my best smile. His frown deepens. He’s into it. “You’re so caring.”
“I have people that report to me.” He huffs a breath, adjusting his cuffs. “Maybe you should start paying more attention to what your GM is doing.”
“Probably, but the guy is a weirdo. I think he sneaks in at night and sniffs the dirty jockstraps.”
“That’s . . . disgusting.”
It is, no argument there, but whatever floats his boat. “Nick’s got a boner over all this attention. I bet he’s so happy glitter is shooting out his ass like it’s a birthday party.”
“Remind me not to come to any of your birthday parties.”
I chuckle, nudging him with my elbow, and damn I’m glad he ended up back in Nashville. It’s been great having my brother back. “Are you ready to meet your nephew?”
“Well, I ...” Dean meets my eyes and the lightheartedness from seconds ago is gone, replaced with ... uncertainty? “Can I ... ? I’m sorry, this is really shitty timing, but there’s something I’m thinking about doing that may affect you and the family you’re building. I just ... I know you have your contract renewal this year, and I completely understand if you need me to keep my distance.”
I rack my brain, trying to think back to see if there was something I missed, some negative press, anything, but I come up empty. “What’s going on?”
“At some point this season, I’m going to come out.”
“Of what?” The words are automatic, but as soon as they leave my mouth, his meaning truly sinks in. Which, yes, makes me look like a bit of an ass. Unintentional, but still.
“I’m bisexual, Ryan, and I don’t want anyone blindsided when I start dating men publicly. Nor do I want to derail everything Gordon and his sister have built with the Devils. They’re behind me one hundred percent, but we’ll need to make sure the timing is right.” He lets out another sigh, this one heavy, and gives me a sad smile. “We’re expecting some fallout. Not everyone will be happy with an openly bisexual GM in pro sports. I understand you needing to protect yourself, and it may be best if I?—”
“I couldn’t give two fucks.” I take a step toward him, putting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing. “You’re my brother, and I’ll support you however I can. I appreciate you looking out for me, I really do, but I’m not going to sacrifice my family for a contract. I’m starting to realize there are more important things than football. ”
The more time I spend with Oliver and June, the more I get it. A job, a very good job, but it’s not a life.
“Are you sure? No one really knows we’re related.”
I close the distance, snaking my arm around his shoulders, and snap a quick picture. “They’re about to. I’m putting this on my Instagram with the hashtags ‘brotherly love,’ ‘football versus hockey,’ ‘I love you man,’ and ‘brother lover.’ Wait. Not the last one. I think that means something else.”
“You think?” He laughs, giving me a playful shove. “You’re a dick.”
“Yeah, and you’re delusional if you thought your sexual preferences would push me away. What you do, and who you do, behind closed doors is your business.” I hang my head and give it a shake. I don’t like that he has to go through this, but he won’t be alone. “Obviously we need to get together more.”
This time when he smiles, it’s genuine, and maybe with a hint of evil. Like if he had a mustache, he’d be twirling it right about now. “You might be awfully busy with that future wife of yours.”
“Don’t say that too loud. She’s still pissed.”
“Do you blame her?”
“Nope.” I crossed the line, I know I did, but I can’t find it in me to care. Not when there’s a chance I can make this a reality. “You ready to meet your nephew now? Got any more secrets you want to unload on me?”
“I’m ready, fucker.” He slaps my back, hard, and pushes me toward the living room, but before I can take the first step, his mom arm shoots out, hitting my chest. It’s a good thing I play football and not something sissy like hockey. “Can you keep this between us for now? I don’t want it getting out before I’m ready.”
“Of course. My lips are sealed.” And just like I did when we were young, I cross my heart with my pinkie and extend it out to him. He laughs, giving me a look that says he still thinks I’m an asshole, but he wraps his finger around mine all the same.
This time he lets me lead him to the living room, where Oliver and June are sitting hip to hip in the middle of the couch, surrounded by monster trucks and dinosaurs, watching the monster cartoon. Again.
“Hey, Oli, I’d like you to meet my older brother. That means he’s your uncle.”
Oliver glances over at me, quickly looking between us. “If he’s older, why is he smaller than you?”
Dean’s eyes widen, June’s face pales, and I can’t help but laugh. I’m sure it’s not the correct parenting response, but it’s hilarious.
“That’s because your daddy plays football and your uncle sits behind a fancy desk all day.” I point to Dean, specifically his button-down collared shirt.
My brother makes a noise in the back of his throat, one I can only describe as something you’d expect to hear from a grumpy old man.
Oliver stares at us for several beats, his mouth twisted to one side. I’m not sure whether he’s contemplating the meaning of life or really scrutinizing Dean’s size and attire. He’s not that much smaller than me, maybe more lean, but now I’m never going to let him forget it. “Can I have a brother?”
Wasn’t expecting that. And if the stricken look on June’s face is something to go by, she wasn’t either.
I’m damn sure not ready for a second child, but I’d be willing to practice. You know, make sure to get it right when June and I decide to have another. And yes, I said when and not if. Sending me the picture of her pregnant, her belly hugely swollen with my child, was a mistake, because now I can’t stop thinking about it.
Of course, next time I think I should sweet-talk her into marrying me first. Then I can knock her up.
“I ... well ... you see ...” June starts but quickly trails off, her gaze snapping to mine, that pink blush I love so much spreading across her cheeks.
“You never know what’s going to happen in the future. You might get a baby sister.” I really shouldn’t smile, and I probably shouldn’t poke the bear, but I find myself doing both of those things.
Dean makes another disgruntled noise, June’s eyes narrow, and Oliver’s entire face scrunches up.
“A sister? Gross.”
I don’t know, I don’t hate the idea of a miniature June running around the house.