Ryan

Ryan had wanted to go see Lana on Thursday afternoon but decided against it. He went to see Jack and had dinner with his parents. He started to feel out of sorts like he had overstayed his welcome and needed to get home.

Even though it was none of his business, he didn't like that Lana spent the night with her ex. He remembered the night she was so upset with him and realized that her powerful emotion probably came from love. There was a very fine line between love and hate. He didn't want her to get hurt again. He felt guilty because he was responsible for her being hurt a few short weeks before. He might have convinced everyone he didn't know about Adam and the girl, but he knew when he saw his scratched back. He just turned a blind eye and hoped Adam would dump the other girl, because really why would he ever dump Lana?

Ryan had never had a friend like Lana. Heidi was different because she was with Cam. Still, he was going back to Virginia and was sure Lana would go on with her life and other than updates on his cottage they would lose touch until next summer. By then, she would probably be with Erik again and adopting or pregnant with donor sperm or whatever method they chose. He was certain if Erik wanted Lana back he would agree to anything. After all, what guy wouldn't?

By Friday afternoon, he had packed up and said goodbye to everyone, but Lana. She was cleaning a cottage on Puffin Way. He walked down to the beach for one last look before he went to find her. The door was open, and he lightly knocked and called her before entering. He heard her before he saw her. She was belting out a song he didn't recognize, but he stood and listened to her wishing she could be his talent.

When she turned and saw him she jumped. "I'm sorry. You sounded amazing. What were you singing?"

"Just a song from Wicked." She spoke a different language. "It's a Broadway musical. The voice of Elsa starred in the original cast."

"Do I know an Elsa?"

"Oh forget it, Jack might, but Peter most definitely does. She's from Frozen one of Disney's most popular movies. You know Let it go, Let it go Can't hold it back anymore." She sang. He shook his head, and she sighed. "Why do I bother?"

He shrugged."I can't believe this is goodbye."

"Every summer ends. I used to be the one leaving, but now I stay and say goodbye. You can't get rid of me, because I'll be in touch about the cottage. I'll send pictures."

"Send me your bill." They had discussed this and Lana was resisting Ryan paying her, but he insisted. "If you don't I'll ask my father to do the job for you. He will be bored soon, I guarantee it."

"You'll be surprised. September is a beautiful month in Maine."

He liked she was smiling and felt better after her hangover. "I'm glad to see you've recovered. What did you drink anyway?"

"Wine and then I got into some Sambuca."

Ryan made a face. "You need to learn to stay away from anything sold in a clear bottle."

"I'm never drinking again."

"Okay, you do that." He laughed. "I guess I need to go to get to the game on time."

"I can't believe you are going to hang out with my brother."

"To watch him play after spending the summer acting as his QB. Hey, thanks for everything this summer."

He felt a little awkward, but he held out his arms and she walked into his embrace. She smelled nice and feminine.

"Thanks for being my friend when I needed one."

"Thanks for supplying me with cucumbers."

She laughed. "Don't start. Now go before I decide to cry. I don't like goodbyes and you don't like tears."

"Okay, I'm going."

He walked away and turned back to wave before he stepped out the door. His summer turned out to be so different from he ever could have imagined.

He followed his GPS to Will's high school. He had to deal with Friday traffic once he reached Massachusetts, so he was glad he left plenty of time. When he saw number eleven looking toward the stands. Ryan walked down to the sidelines and called to Will.

Will turned and his whole face lit up. "You really came."

"I told you I would."

"My mother said you wouldn't."

Ryan frowned. "Where are your parents sitting?" Will pointed. "I'll go sit with them so we can cheer you on together. Good luck, man!"

Ryan took a deep breath and made his way to the Drakes. Their father smiled when he saw him. "Will was so excited you were coming."

Ryan looked right at Nora Drake. "Hello Dr. Drake it's nice to see you."

She nodded and the other Dr. Drake said, "We know Will invited you to stay at the house. You are welcome, although we're heading north in the morning."

"Thank you, I appreciate the bed. I have to leave early, too. I'm meeting a friend from college in New Jersey at eleven."

"Where did you go?"

"Georgetown."

"So that's how you ended up south."

"Yes, I took a job in DC and then Cameron and I opened the firm just outside of the city."

"I should trick investment advice out of you."

"No need to trick. I'd happily give you any advice you need. Both Lana and Will know how to reach me. Call anytime."

"Nora, did you hear that? We should really see if Ryan agrees on how we've set things up for our retirement."

"Dear, we have years before retirement."

"Yes, but we need to invest well now so it will be ready for us then."

Ryan smiled. "Call me anytime."

The man behind them said, "Can I call you? I'd like some free advice."

William laughed. "Ryan, this is our friend, Brad. Brad, I would think you already have your own guy. Ryan's clients fit into your class." William whispered into Ryan's ear. "He's the CEO of..."

He impressed Ryan. "I have a card. If you're interested in hearing what I can do for you call."

He didn't mind if the Drakes didn't want to move their money to his company, but he would only give their friend a little information before he either closed the deal or sent him back to his own broker. Once the game started, there was no more talk about investments.

Ryan watched as Will caught the ball every time the quarterback threw it his way. He was having an amazing game. Spectators in the stands were patting Will Senior on the back.

He smiled. "Ryan worked with him all summer. You should be proud."

"The kid worked hard. I just threw the ball and got a workout. It was fun."

"See Nora, he's a nice guy and modest, too. He's Kelly and John's son for certain."

"My parents are good people." Ryan felt awkward. Nora didn't like him and Willian was trying to convince her to change her mind. Ryan didn't like her much, at least the way she treated her daughter.

When Nora got up at half time, he turned to William. "Are you really going to close up your cottage for the winter?"

"Why would we do that? It's Lana's home. Did my wife say we were?"

"I just know Lana was upset the other day, and she had a friend show up at the end of her shift." Ryan hoped Lana wouldn't be mad at him.

"Who? Oh, don't tell me. I'll make sure she has her home."

"Don't tell her you know about..."

"No, I don't know why my wife keeps contacting the boy. He hurt my daughter and I will never forgive him."

Nora returned to her seat. "What are you so serious about Will?"

"We really need to be more supportive of Lana. She has been through so much with the divorce."

"I'm her mother. I support her."

Ryan bit his tongue and planned to keep doing so even if it bled. The second half started and Will continued to have a great game. His team won by twenty-one points and he scored three touchdowns. The kid was good and Ryan felt proud, although he wasn't even his father.

After the game, everyone spilled out onto the field. Will had a crowd around him congratulating him, but when he saw Ryan he pushed everyone aside and walked over to him.

"You did great!" They exchanged a high five.

"It was awesome! You helped so much. I want you to meet coach and my quarterback. Although you'll always be my QB." He let the kid drag him around and he smiled and repeated the same thing multiple times. "I just threw the ball to him on the beach."

Will told him to wait for him so they could ride home together. He sat on the bleachers and texted Lana. Will did awesome! The kid was good.

She replied I thought Rory was the kid.

Ha, ha. Will is too. He may never stop smiling.

I'm glad he had a good game.

What are you doing?

Watching TV. I don't have a busy day tomorrow. Rentals drop off once school starts.

Will's ready. I'm going to your house.

Groan.

Bye.

"Lana says congrats."

"You told her?"

"Yeah. Show me how to get to your house. You know after tonight you'll have your choice of girls. I'm glad you're done with the girl on the beach."

"Yeah, I know."

His lack of enthusiasm made Ryan wonder if he really gave her up. Once again he had to turn a blind eye because he couldn't do anything more than what he had already done.

The Drake house was what he had expected two doctors living in the suburbs would own. He and Will had a snack, except Will ate enough to be a meal and then they headed to bed.

When Will showed him Lana's room he smiled. No wonder she didn't want him to stay, it looked like it belonged to a tween. The walls were painted purple and the bed was covered with stuffed animals, mostly pandas.

He pulled out his phone and texted. Panda obsession!

Shut up!

He took a picture of her bed and sent it to her with the message, there is no room for me!

Throw them on the damn floor and stop teasing my 14 year old self!

Sorry, goodnight.

😴

She responded with the sleeping emoji and Ryan removed the bears and climbed under the lace and eyelet comforter and fell asleep.