Rhythm and the Blue Line Ch 10

Saturday morning Brody woke up and groaned as his leg throbbed. He'd gone down to block a shot in the game against Philly, caught the puck above his knee, and it still hurt. Given that, he'd talked with the coach and trainer and decided to skip the day's optional skate. He stayed in bed a little longer, but sleep wouldn't return, and so he got up, making his way to the shower with a grimace. Once out, he was rubbing his hair with a towel when the phone rang. "Hello?" "Hi, Brody. It's Ryan." She paused. "I'm sorry, did I wake you up?" "What? Oh, no, no. I've been up for a while. What's up?" "Nothing. Just wanted to say hi to my favorite hockey player." "Now that's a way to start the morning. Okay, I'm buttered up. Why'd you really call?" "Hey. That's not fair." "I'm kidding, Ryan. Relax." He waited; there was something in her tone that made him think this was more than a "nothing" call. "Okay. You're right. I didn't just call to say hi. I'm nervous about the show today and I can't figure out what to do with myself." He considered his reply. "Well, I could offer a few ideas on that. I could even show you." She laughed. "I'll bet you could." "You're turning me down again, aren't you?" "I don't think you've actually asked me anything." "Hmmm. Point taken. Have you had breakfast?" "No, not yet." Brody wondered why he'd even asked. "Well, come on up then. I'll make you something." "No, Brody, you don't have to do that," she protested. "You must have practice or something and I wasn't?" "Just come up, Ryan. You can't go to your gig on an empty stomach." "But?" "Just come up." He disconnected. Brody smiled to himself as he threw on jeans and a t-shirt and waited for Ryan. He had to wonder how a woman like that managed to keep such nice curves while eating things that had only a passing relation to actual food. Well, he decided, he'd send her off with something fun. He couldn't play a guitar, but he could make a pretty kick-ass breakfast. bursa escort He dug out his skillet and went to answer the door when he heard her knock. "Hey, it's the rock star." Brody grinned. "Come on in." "Thanks." She stepped in and he closed the door. "I'm not a rock star yet, though," she said as she followed him to the kitchen. "Think positive. Visualize it." Ryan gave him a skeptical look. "What, did you read The Secret or something?" He tossed an arm around her shoulders as he directed her towards the kitchen. "Try to be encouraging, and look what happens." "I'm sorry, Brody. I appreciate it." He laughed. "It's fine. I was kidding. Here, have some orange juice." He handed her a glass. "Thanks. Listen, really, if you have to go, I?" "It's an optional practice, and since I have a sore leg, I have opted not to go." He flashed her a grin. "Ryan, seriously, relax. I wouldn't have told you to come up if I didn't want you to." "Okay." She took a deep breath. "Sorry. I get a little . . . wired before gigs." "So I see. Anything specific or just general nerves?" He gestured for her to sit at the small table in the kitchen. "Both, I guess. You remember I mentioned Jason, our guitarist?" "Sure." Brody nodded as he opened a cabinet. "Drink the juice. You like eggs?" "Most times. Not sure about today." Ryan sipped at the juice and he watched as she bounced her leg to release some nervous energy. "You'll love these, don't worry. Now, back to your guitarist problems." "I guess I?m just not sure he's prepared for this. I'm not sure he takes it all seriously enough." "Okay. So what will you do?" Brody beat the eggs and stirred the vegetables in the frying pan. "I don't know. He was pretty amenable to everything when we interviewed him but after a few weeks, it changed." Ryan shook her head. "We agreed to a six-month trial, and we're about halfway through. I'm wondering if we should cut it short. I mean, the last live gig we bursa escort bayan had he kept trying to expand his solos, on maybe half the songs. We covered, but . . . If he does that next month at the 9:30 Club, I don't even want to think about it." She propped her elbows on the table and dropped her face in her hands. "Ryan, relax. You have time. I'm sure he'll come around. Deal with today and worry about the rest later." She raised her head and peered at him through her fingers. "I hate when people say stuff like that." He chuckled. "Sorry. Best I could do on short notice. Anyway, I'm looking forward to your show today. I'll come early, make sure I get a good seat." "I hate to break it to you but this is a seat-free performance. It's the college fall festival and we'll be on a campus common area." "I'll manage." "Okay." She paused. "So, your leg. Is that from the shot you blocked in Philly?" He turned and she giggled at his expression. "Why, Ryan, am I to understand that you watched my game? Without me even asking?" "Oh, shut up." She tried to scowl but couldn't, and ended up laughing. "Yes, I watched." "I am so flattered. And yes, that's why I'm skipping practice. I have a bruise the size of Michigan on my thigh. It's better now but it hurt like hell when it happened." "I'll bet. It hurt just watching." "Not my favorite part of the game," he acknowledged, "but you do what you have to. Here, eat this." He put a plate in front of her. "What is it?" She eyed it warily. "Huevos rancheros, and some chorizo sausage on the side." He got up, returned with the salt and pepper shakers, and gave her arm a quick squeeze. "Go on, eat it. You'll thank me." "Okay." Ryan tried a bite and nodded. "You're right. Thanks, Brody." She gave him a rueful smile. "I do appreciate it. Beats the Frosted Flakes I would have had otherwise." "Frosted F??" Brody huffed out a breath and shook his head. "How can you?" He shook his head escort bursa as she snickered. "You're teasing me again." Ryan shrugged as she picked up another bite of eggs and sausage. "I might have gone for Pop Tarts." She met his eyes and couldn't hide a laugh. "That teasing's going to get you in trouble one day, Ryan." "Yeah, yeah. You keep saying that." Brody didn't reply, and instead just watched her. He couldn't figure this out. She'd been clear that night they'd gone for sushi and he'd tried to kiss her. Yet here she was teasing him; flirting, even. And here he was, liking it. "So, are you going to eat or just keep staring at me like that?" Ryan asked. "Because I have to tell you, it's a little unnerving. And I'm nervous enough as it is." "No, I'm done." Brody shook his head and went back to his food. They finished and she helped clear the table, then checked her watch. "Thanks, Brody. I'd better get back downstairs. Lara will be here soon and we have to load up." "It's still kind of early, isn't it?" "Oh, there's plenty to do." She hooked her thumbs in the front pockets of her jeans. "Set up the instruments, tune what needs tuning, check the sound system; before you know it, it's time for the show." "Cool. Maybe sometime I can watch you set up." She laughed. "If you want. It's hardly exciting. Then again, you probably won't hurt your leg, either." "See? It has its advantages." Brody grinned. "Seriously, I'll be there, and I think Mark will, with Hilary. Maybe a couple of other people, too." "That would be terrific. At least then I know we won't be playing to an empty field." This time he laughed. "Wow, you really do get nervous. Come on, you know it won't be empty." "I know, I know. Okay, I have to go. Thanks again." "No problem." He walked with her to the door. "One last thing before you go." She turned and looked up. "What's that?" He put a hand on her arm and stared at her for a moment. He leaned down, waited, and when she made no move to stop him, kissed her. Her lips were soft and warm, as he'd imagined. He kept his touch light, then pulled back after a moment. "Told you so," he said with a smile. x-x-x-x Ryan glanced around the stage as she played her guitar during the sound check.