Ryan’s gaze shifted to my left, to where Tallis’s face dipped into the screen, wearing a huge grin.
“G’day, Ryan. Tallis.” Tallis followed up with a chin lift and a smile.
“Hey, Tallis, good to meet ya. Nate here’s told me a lot about you,” Ryan answered. He flicked his gaze to me briefly before refocusing on Tallis.
“Back at ya, mate. I’m sure there’s a shitload more stories I need to hear, but Nate’s told us a few.” Tallis chuckled and nudged me.
I snorted. “I’ve barely touched the surface.”
“Just only believe the good stuff, yeah?” Ryan said, his smile still in place, but I saw the small shift in his gaze, already figuring what the “not so good” stuff referred to.
“Sure thing. Heard you’ve got another big game coming up on Monday.”
“They’re all big games,” I answered for Ryan. At my words, Ryan tilted his head slightly, his gaze roaming my face before settling on my eyes. “What? They are. They all count, right?” Since reconnecting with Ryan, I made no bones about watching every replay and some games on livestream.
“Shit, I forgot Nate here was your biggest fan,” Tallis jested.
My eye roll was teamed with a smirk, not even caring that he was right. The four beers I’d had probably helped with my not caring. That combined with the sweet smile Ryan cast my way, and I absolutely didn’t care that he knew just how important he still was to me.
“You’re still my biggest fan, Nate?”
For all that was holy and hot, Ryan’s voice dropped a good octave when he spoke. And hello gruffness! I swiped my tongue across my bottom lip, finally thinking perhaps that fourth beer wasn’t the best idea. I was far too needy and horny when I got to that fuzzy, happy place, the one I reached before I got hammered.
It was impossible not to notice the way Ryan’s gaze zeroed in on the action. I swallowed hard before remembering to answer. “You’re no longer so high on my shit list, so I thought I should make the effort.”
Tallis snorted beside me, while Ryan’s eyes narrowed a fraction just before he smiled once more. “Can’t ask for more than that, and you know, that visit guarantees a good seat courtside.”
“We were just talking about Nate’s visit,” Tallis butted in, and I cast a furtive look my new friend’s way. His words sounded like it was a done deal. I sighed before returning to focus on the screen and the new light in Ryan’s eyes.
Fuck.
Who was I kidding? There wasn’t a chance I could not go and see him.
“Your visit as in when you arrive here?” Ryan directed his question just to me, an eagerness in his expression that once again sent those wings in motion.
Just as I started to nod, a body brushed up to my other side, an arm going around my shoulders. Startled, I turned to see it was Lenny.
“What’s happening, and who’s this we’re talking to?” Lenny’s expressive eyes were filled with what I was sure was mischief. And holy hell, with my brain spinning out with having agreed to go to the US, the booze in my system, and Ryan’s face like thunder now my gaze had returned to his, I could barely think straight.
“Erm—”
Tallis cut me off, saying, “This is Nate’s Ryan.”
Was it wrong that I liked the sound of that? I’d always hoped he’d be mine one day, and with the new dynamics settling between us, just maybe that would happen. A guy could wish while equally crapping himself.
“Hey, Ryan.” Lenny gave a goofy wave, appearing unaffected by the daggers shooting from my best friend. “I’ve heard plenty about you.” He squeezed my shoulder, and I looked at him through the image of us on the screen. “So, he really is hot, huh!”
I frowned, sure I hadn’t said that to Lenny, but… I glanced at Tallis.He,I had told. Tallis winced and offered me an apologetic smirk.
Once my gaze was back on the screen and Ryan, his frown had smoothed out a little. “You want to just call me later?”
I nodded a little numbly, overwhelmed all of a sudden. “I can do that.” I’d also need to be making a fast apology. The last thing I wanted was to make him uncomfortable.
“I’ll be sure to answer.” A small smile tilted his lips, and he looked at the two guys on either side of me. “Good to meet you both. Be sure he gets home safe, yeah?”
Tallis nodded. “Absolutely.”
Ryan’s gaze connected with mine once again, a softness there I liked to think was reserved just for me. “Call me.” The call then ended, and I was left a little shaken and aware that the room seemed a lot louder than a few minutes ago.
