I was ready to go in but the exhaustion on his face and the slump of his shoulders paused my attack.
He lifted his hands and signed sluggishly.“It’s late, sorry. I can get a hotel if you don’t want me here.”
Well shit, how was I supposed to deny him after that while knowing the day he’d had?
“No, it’s fine. You’re already here.”I stepped out of the way, creating space for him to enter. His hand lifted and lights flashed from my driveway, signaling that he’d locked his rental. He really expected me to send him away.
Ryland stepped inside and waited for me to lock the door and set the alarm. I motioned toward the sofa before signing,“It’s not the best but at least we have an early flight.”
His head bobbed before his hands moved.“It’s fine. Thank you for this.”
Ryland’s eyes shifted toward Rylee’s room.
“She’s asleep,”I confirmed and he nodded, signing, “Figured.I just want to see her for a minute before I crash. Been a long day.”
I glanced around before my eyes were on him again.“You need anything?”
He shook his head.
“I left you a blanket and pillows.”
His hand lifted, moving to his chin and lowering to tell me thank you and I shifted my weight, feeling awkward. There was nothing else to say, so I signed goodnight and headed back to my room. The contrast between the Ryland I’d met last week and the man who showed up on my porch tonight was vastly different.
I wanted to ask if he was okay but that wasn’t my place. So I climbed in bed and snuggled under the covers, pretending like I was going to drift back into a peaceful sleep. With Ryland under the same roof, emotionally distraught, and me wanting to make him feel better, there wasn’t a chance in hell my night would be peaceful.
Chapter 7
Ryland
Iwaited for Somee’s door to close before I tossed my backpack on the floor and moved toward my sister’s room. I pushed the door open and leaned against the frame, watching Rylee sleep peacefully. At least she had this moment because things would be turned upside down soon enough.
I walked in and grabbed the massive bean bag sitting in the corner, dropping it beside the bed. I hissed from the bruising on my left side and did the best I could to get comfortable. My body was too big and likely would crush it but I managed to position myself with my knees damn near in my chest. I was close to the wall so I dropped my head back and stared at my sister, wondering how the fuck I was going to make this work.
A hand raked down my face as I recalled the blow up I had with Coach after the game. By the time I was dressed, the rumors were already circulating.This might be Parks’s last season with the Sharks, and based on tonight’s blow up, I wouldn’t blame the owners. Who’s going to take a wild card like Parks?
“Just be honest, Coach. You knew, didn’t you?”
“No one said anything to me.”
“That’s bullshit.” I slammed my fist on his desk and glared at the man I had grown to love and respect since I first put on a Sharks jersey.
“Calm down, Ryland. I get that you’re upset…”
“You don’t know shit and I don’t want to hear a gotdamn thing you’re saying. You knew they were considering a trade. You brought it up before the rumors were circulating. You expect me to think that was a coincidence.”
“It was.”
“Nah, fuck that. I’ve given y’all everything that I am. Three gotdamn championships. Omiri throws that ball but I’m the one who makes sure he gets it done by protecting his ass, but that doesn’t matter, does it? It’s fuck me, right?”
“Nothing is set in stone.”
I laughed dryly. “If that were the case, my name would be out there like that. You know how this shit goes. When your family business is aired on every media platform, that shit is as good as done. Do what you gotta do and I’ll do the same, but just know this shit is fucked up, Coach. Everything y’all are doing is fucked up.”
I pushed out of his office with Coach calling my name. Omiri was next in line to try to talk to me but I hadn’t wanted to hear a muthafuckin’ thing from him or anyone else. I had a flight to catch.
Now here I was, watching my sister sleep, knowing once I took her home I might have to pack her up and move again. How the hell could I ask her to trust me when I couldn’t trust myself? I didn’t know what my future looked like. At thirty-four years old, I should be facing a legacy contract, not starting over with a new team. What the hell was that even going to look like?
I was in the best shape of my life. Probably had another five or six good years on the field left in me, but no matter how good I was, all anyone would see was that the only team I’d ever suitedup for was turning their back on me. Other teams would start to question whether or not I was worth the investment and that would kill me.