Chapter 17 — Ryan

It has been a week or so since Emmy talked to me in the garage. So far, she hasn’t said anything to the others that I almost betrayed them all. It was a moment of weakness, but after Calder showed up, it made me realize the Enchantress would never hold up her end of the bargain. She is all about what she wants. She would just use me, and I don’t want to be that fool; the one that everyone shakes their head at and thinks the poor guy didn’t know what he was doing. I am not that kind of person, plus I don’t think my pride could take a hit like that.

Another thing that has been sticking in my mind since Emmy talked to me was about what she said about Brie. I’ve always thought Brie was pretty and she seems kind. I can’t deny that I want to get to know her, which is weird for me considering I just want to screw girls. I never cared to get to know any girl I slept with, but Brie was different.

I don’t know why I never gave the soulmate thing much thought. My parents were supposed to be soulmates and they hate each other. They ended up resenting the other and I don't want to go through that. Their relationship has put a sour taste in my mouth when it comes to relationships which is why I’ve never cared about the soulmate thing, or to find my soulmate. I don't know if Brie is my soulmate, but maybe I should give her a chance.

I look over at Brie while she is training. She is focusing her arrow on a target. She looks cute and all focused. Red, her fox is wrapped around her legs waiting to retrieve the arrows. Maybe I should try taking my head out of my ass for once in my life. I can’t believe I am about to take Emmy’s advice. I walk over to Brie. She missed her target and sighs in frustration.

“You need to relax. You’re so focused on doing it perfectly that it’s clouding your mind,” I say as I walk up behind her. “You also need to breathe. You hold your breath when you shoot. Try breathing out when you shoot, it might help relax you.”

Brie nods her head, and she does what I suggested. This time she hits her target. She turned to me with a smile on her face.

“Thanks Ryan.”

“You’re welcome. Hey so I was wondering if we could hang out sometime, you know just us.”

Oh, hell I sound like an idiot. I am normally smoother than this. I don’t know why I feel nervous. I know she likes me. I have slept with a good number of women. I can get girls melting with just my smile, so why was I so nervous around Brie?

“Sure, you can take me out on your bike?” Brie quirks an eyebrow at me and gives me a mischievous smile which I am not used to seeing on her, but I like it.

“Uh as long as your brother and dad don’t kill me if I do.” Bex and Jason are very protective over the women in their lives.

“My dad lets Bex ride his bike, and Avery goes out on the back of Bex’s bike so neither of them can say anything. Besides since when does Ryan James care what people think about him?”

“I don't, I just don’t want to piss off my teammate and friend. Plus, your dad seems like the kind of guy that would chop my private parts off if I hurt you.”

Brie shrugs her shoulders. “Sounds accurate,” She smiles at me. “Alright so when are we doing this date thing?” Brie turns red. “Sorry it’s not a date. I know you don’t like me like that.” Brie looks down. I lift her chin, so she is looking at me.

“It is a date. I do like you. I’m just shit at showing how I really feel when it comes to people I like in that way. Brie, I’m not really good at doing the whole dating or boyfriend thing, so bear with me okay?”

“Okay. I can do that. Let’s do our date in a few days. Tomorrow is Carter’s birthday and I know Emmy has a huge thing planned.”

“Alright sounds good. I’m down for that. Dress warm if you want to be on the back of my bike.” I smile at Brie and walk away from her.

I can’t believe I am doing this. Crap, I need advice from Carter and Bex on how to do this dating thing. They seem to have it together. Emmy and Avery are head over heels for their men. I’m going to need advice because I really have no idea what to do when it comes to dating and I really don’t want to screw this up.

The rest of the day passed as normal. We run drills and train. At dinner everyone is tired. We have off tomorrow for Carter’s birthday, he turns nineteen. Carter didn’t want us to make a big deal, but we are anyway. Emmy planned this whole party with everyone. She even got his old friends to come and his parents. It should be fun. I have been curious to meet Carter’s parents and friends from his old life.

After dinner we all retire to our rooms for the night. I talk with Bex and Carter about how to plan a proper date. Bex threatens that I better not hurt his sister, which I saw coming. I know he is secretly happy that I finally made a move. Everyone has been gunning for us to get together. Somehow everyone thinks we are soulmates. Whatever. I’m not even worried about the soulmate thing, I just wanted to get through this first date without making a damn fool of myself.

Carter and Bex have great suggestions and I think I can come up with something. Hopefully, it won’t be a total disaster. I’m not really good at dating. I mean I’ve taken girls on dates before in high school, but that seems like forever ago. Besides, I don’t really care for those girls like I do Brie. Plus, Brie is my teammate, and her brother is one of my good friends.

I can't screw this up. It’s just not an option which meant I couldn't be my normal asshole self. Besides, Emmy and Bex would probably kick my ass if I screwed around with Brie. It’s weird for the first time I didn’t want to just screw a girl that I found pretty. I really want to get to know Brie. Oh, for fucks sake I am turning into a sap. That's what I get for spending so much time around Carter and Bex I think to myself as I close my eyes and find some much needed sleep.