(no subject)
100 ways
Elise
pg13
64 . Fall
“Well,” Ryan said, responding to the reporter, “I made a poor judgement, and let one past me. I wish it wasn’t that way, but it was. I’m just happy that our offense is as good and talented as they are.”
Ryan looked around the room and listened as another reporter stood up. “Congrats on the game tonight, Ryan.”
“Thank you.” Ryan said.
“Will you be celebrating tonight?” She asked.
Ryan smiled. It was a loaded question. “Yes, I will be. Sober.”
“How long has it been?” She pushed.
Ryan shifted his weight and said, “Three weeks and two days.”
“Congrats.” She said, “I hope you know Buffalo supports you.”
“I bet they do.” Ryan said, “And I’ve always been thankful for their support.”
The woman nodded and raised her hand, “One more thing, will you be celebrating tonight with your boyfriend?”
The room went silent. Ryan’s jaw opened slightly. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Well, I was sent some pictures that say otherwise.” She grinned, knowing that she had just gotten the story of the century.
“No comment.” Ryan said, “Thank you for your questions. Lindy will be up next for questions.”
Ryan turned and forced himself to calmly walk away through all the calls of the reporters and the photos being snapped.
65. passing
Brian skated beside Ryan. They had rented the rink out together. Ryan was distracted and Brian held out. Sighing, Ryan said, “There’s going to be a media blitz.”
“Have you spoken to your lawyer?” Brian said, reaching out to put an arm around as they skated together.
“Yeah... yeah there are more charges against Daniel’s wife. SHe...” Ryan sighed, trailing off, “I don’t understand it. I don’t know how she got them released.”
“How’s Danny taking it?” Brian said.
“She made sure those photos were out. She just... she just released the Pominville ones. Protect her kids’ dad or something.” Ryan wanted to break something. “At the end of the day, Danny gets his life. Danny gets the guy. He gets the money and the fame. I’m the alcoholic failure who is now famous for being gay.”
Brian stopped Ryan and wrapped his arms around him. “Stop it. Just stop. Yeah, it sucks that she’s a bitch, but this doesn’t change anything. You’re still sober. You’re still amazing. You still are the best goalie out there.”
“We have to be more careful.” Ryan said, “I mean, not that we’re anything right now, but If we were to.. be caught...”
“We’d deal with it.” Brian said, “I’m not running away.”
“We should talk about this.” Ryan said, “Because, because we’re no longer going to have privacy. Hell, ESPN left a message with Lindy, begging for an interview with the first gay hockey player.”
“So what, Ry?” Brian said, “So what? What are you afraid of?”
“I want to be left alone!” Ryan yelled, “That’s it.”
“You’ve never been left alone, Ry.” Brian said, holding his ground, “You’re always being stopped for autographs, you’re always taking photos with fans and being interviewed. How is this different?”
“I don’t want people to know anything about me.” Ryan said, “Alone.”
“Well, maybe we should go home.” Brian said, “Shut the doors and just stay inside for a bit.”
“I don’t want to be a recluse,” Ryan said, “Any more. Don’t you get how scary this all is?”
Brian looked at Ryan and said, “No... I can only imagine. I’m sorry, Ry, I am. I’m ok with people seeing us together. I’m ok with being gay. I don’t know why you’re not.”
“I don’t think you know fear and pressure.” Ryan said, “Not at all.”
Tilting his head, Brian said, “Why would you say that? You don’t think I don’t know pressure? Screw you, Ryan.”
“Bri, stop... i didn’t mean it like that...” Ryan began to skate towards Brian.
Brian raised his hands, “Stop. Just stop. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I don’t want you to be mad.” Ryan called after him.
Brian stopped before leaving the ice, “I am mad, but i’ll get over it. You wanted to be left alone. Take this as a great opportunity.”
Ryan turned and skated away while Brian left to change.
66. Rain
Ryan bit his lip as he walked into the living room of his apartment. Brian was sitting, watching television. Brian was eating ice cream and apparently watching reruns of some model show. Pausing for a moment, Ryan memorized the scene to tease Brian with it later. Walking up to him, Ryan sat down on the floor in front of Brian. “I’m sorry.”
Brian blinked a few times, “Yeah, no problem.”
Ryan’s eyes lowered into slits. “I don’t believe you.”
“Huh?” Brian said, trying not to make eye contact.
Ryan leaned forward and reached from behind his back. It was a bouquet of flowers. “I’m truly sorry, and I figured out why you’re mad.”
Brian shut the television off and looked at Ryan, taking the flowers. He smiled slightly, smelling them. “This is nice.”
“I’ll come out tomorrow.” Ryan said, “Officially. I’ll do the interviews.”
“You don’t have to.” Brian said, “YOu shouldn’t be forced.”
“No, I will,” Ryan said, “Because you think that I don’t love you.”
Brian bristled at the word, “Don’t say it unless you mean it.”
“You think that I’m embarassed of you, and thats why I’m afraid of the media. You think that I find you repulsive or a burden. Or whatever line of bullshit.”
Brian shifted, beginning to feel uncomfortable. “NO, Ryan... i...”
“I love you, Brian, I do. I’ll prove it.” Ryan said softly, “If you want me to.”
“How about we say nothing till we figure it out ourselves.” Brian said, “And if it comes up, no lying. We’ll just face it.”
Ryan nodded. “I like that idea. I like it a lot.”
“We can keep this house a secret,” Brian said, “And we can be together and be normal.”
Ryan’s eyes watered up and he nodded, his hands gently massaging Brian’s knees and thighs.
Brian grinned and leaned down, kissing Ryan. “So... this can’t go wrong. Things’ll be great.”
67. Snow
Ryan looked outside and sighed. He shut the door and yelled, “Dammit, it was raining yesterday. I’m done with snow!”
“No you’re not!” Brian called from the kitchen, “We’ve got to get to Roysie’s place for the snowball fight.”
“Fuck snow!” Ryan said, “I’m staying in bed!”
“No you’re not!” Brian continued to yell. “Roysie has good aim and I need your mad goalie skills to protect me.”
“What did Buffalo do wrong to deserve this cold, bitter white crap!” Ryan continued to stare at his door yelling, “I mean, a few months is fine, but I haven’t seen the ground since October!”
“Aren’t you from Michigan?” Brian called back.
“Shut up, not the point!” Ryan yelled, “I need it to be warm. I need it to be cozy and better. I’m moving to Florida, playing for the panthers.”
“No you’re not!” Brian yelled, “You play for the Sabres or you’re dead. Those are your options.”
Ryan opened the door, grabbing a handful of snow and making a snowball. He grinned and yelled, “Dammit! It’s still there! Whatever happened to global warming?”
“You’re a sick man, Miller.” Brian yelled, the sound of the fridge being opened.
Ryan crept to the kitchen and he said sweetly, “Hey Bri-pie...”
Brian turned, eyebrows creased, “Bri-pie...?”
But it was too late for the red haired man. The snowball hit him square in the chest. Brian pointed at Ryan, who started laughing. “So I see you’ve chosen option B, dead.”
Ryan spun around and screamed as Brian chased after him.
68. Lightening
Hank was a hard working man. He was top of his class in highschool, graduated college with full honors. He finished his masters in a year and a half, meeting his wife, and settling down in the suburbs. His job required a suit and tie, but he was home early enough for dinners and the evening, helping his wife raise the children, while she went to school in the evenings. She was a good hardworking woman, who liked to sing and loved dancing. He enjoyed playing guitar, and camping. They had three children, two boys and a beautiful new baby girl. The boys were very excited to be living near Ryan Miller. He was their favorite player. Both boys were in hockey, while the baby girl, according to Hank’s wife, would have to learn to stand first before she got her first skates. In short, Hank had a beautiful life. He was happy, comfortable, and had a lot to look forward to. His wife hadn’t worked in a few years, to focus on school.
Hank looked at his hand. The pink slip was so bright next to the other letters. He was laid off. It was another round of what he should have seen coming. Their rival plant had closed completely. Earlier in the year, they let off ten percent of the staff as it was. Now the entire plant was closing, the jobs going out of state. He sighed and thought about his baby girl and two boys. He wanted to take his wife on a second honeymoon to show her that he still loved her. He supported her in wanting to get another masters. Now, all these things must wait. He had no income. He’d have to get unemployment, if it applied to him. He’d have to sell the car, and maybe the tv. Perhaps, stop the boy’s hockey lessons for a bit. His wife would have to work now.
Hank picked up the phone and dialed out. He looked across the street, guilt twisting his stomach. He didn’t want to do this, but he needed some help. “Hey... yeah, channel four? Yeah... i’ve got a tip. I... I heard you were paying money for tips. YEah... I know where Ryan Miller lives, and I know his schedule. I also know who lives there with him. Yeah, i’ll hold.”
Hank dropped his head and turned his back. Ryan was a great neighbor, but his family came first.
Elise
pg13
64 . Fall
“Well,” Ryan said, responding to the reporter, “I made a poor judgement, and let one past me. I wish it wasn’t that way, but it was. I’m just happy that our offense is as good and talented as they are.”
Ryan looked around the room and listened as another reporter stood up. “Congrats on the game tonight, Ryan.”
“Thank you.” Ryan said.
“Will you be celebrating tonight?” She asked.
Ryan smiled. It was a loaded question. “Yes, I will be. Sober.”
“How long has it been?” She pushed.
Ryan shifted his weight and said, “Three weeks and two days.”
“Congrats.” She said, “I hope you know Buffalo supports you.”
“I bet they do.” Ryan said, “And I’ve always been thankful for their support.”
The woman nodded and raised her hand, “One more thing, will you be celebrating tonight with your boyfriend?”
The room went silent. Ryan’s jaw opened slightly. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Well, I was sent some pictures that say otherwise.” She grinned, knowing that she had just gotten the story of the century.
“No comment.” Ryan said, “Thank you for your questions. Lindy will be up next for questions.”
Ryan turned and forced himself to calmly walk away through all the calls of the reporters and the photos being snapped.
65. passing
Brian skated beside Ryan. They had rented the rink out together. Ryan was distracted and Brian held out. Sighing, Ryan said, “There’s going to be a media blitz.”
“Have you spoken to your lawyer?” Brian said, reaching out to put an arm around as they skated together.
“Yeah... yeah there are more charges against Daniel’s wife. SHe...” Ryan sighed, trailing off, “I don’t understand it. I don’t know how she got them released.”
“How’s Danny taking it?” Brian said.
“She made sure those photos were out. She just... she just released the Pominville ones. Protect her kids’ dad or something.” Ryan wanted to break something. “At the end of the day, Danny gets his life. Danny gets the guy. He gets the money and the fame. I’m the alcoholic failure who is now famous for being gay.”
Brian stopped Ryan and wrapped his arms around him. “Stop it. Just stop. Yeah, it sucks that she’s a bitch, but this doesn’t change anything. You’re still sober. You’re still amazing. You still are the best goalie out there.”
“We have to be more careful.” Ryan said, “I mean, not that we’re anything right now, but If we were to.. be caught...”
“We’d deal with it.” Brian said, “I’m not running away.”
“We should talk about this.” Ryan said, “Because, because we’re no longer going to have privacy. Hell, ESPN left a message with Lindy, begging for an interview with the first gay hockey player.”
“So what, Ry?” Brian said, “So what? What are you afraid of?”
“I want to be left alone!” Ryan yelled, “That’s it.”
“You’ve never been left alone, Ry.” Brian said, holding his ground, “You’re always being stopped for autographs, you’re always taking photos with fans and being interviewed. How is this different?”
“I don’t want people to know anything about me.” Ryan said, “Alone.”
“Well, maybe we should go home.” Brian said, “Shut the doors and just stay inside for a bit.”
“I don’t want to be a recluse,” Ryan said, “Any more. Don’t you get how scary this all is?”
Brian looked at Ryan and said, “No... I can only imagine. I’m sorry, Ry, I am. I’m ok with people seeing us together. I’m ok with being gay. I don’t know why you’re not.”
“I don’t think you know fear and pressure.” Ryan said, “Not at all.”
Tilting his head, Brian said, “Why would you say that? You don’t think I don’t know pressure? Screw you, Ryan.”
“Bri, stop... i didn’t mean it like that...” Ryan began to skate towards Brian.
Brian raised his hands, “Stop. Just stop. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I don’t want you to be mad.” Ryan called after him.
Brian stopped before leaving the ice, “I am mad, but i’ll get over it. You wanted to be left alone. Take this as a great opportunity.”
Ryan turned and skated away while Brian left to change.
66. Rain
Ryan bit his lip as he walked into the living room of his apartment. Brian was sitting, watching television. Brian was eating ice cream and apparently watching reruns of some model show. Pausing for a moment, Ryan memorized the scene to tease Brian with it later. Walking up to him, Ryan sat down on the floor in front of Brian. “I’m sorry.”
Brian blinked a few times, “Yeah, no problem.”
Ryan’s eyes lowered into slits. “I don’t believe you.”
“Huh?” Brian said, trying not to make eye contact.
Ryan leaned forward and reached from behind his back. It was a bouquet of flowers. “I’m truly sorry, and I figured out why you’re mad.”
Brian shut the television off and looked at Ryan, taking the flowers. He smiled slightly, smelling them. “This is nice.”
“I’ll come out tomorrow.” Ryan said, “Officially. I’ll do the interviews.”
“You don’t have to.” Brian said, “YOu shouldn’t be forced.”
“No, I will,” Ryan said, “Because you think that I don’t love you.”
Brian bristled at the word, “Don’t say it unless you mean it.”
“You think that I’m embarassed of you, and thats why I’m afraid of the media. You think that I find you repulsive or a burden. Or whatever line of bullshit.”
Brian shifted, beginning to feel uncomfortable. “NO, Ryan... i...”
“I love you, Brian, I do. I’ll prove it.” Ryan said softly, “If you want me to.”
“How about we say nothing till we figure it out ourselves.” Brian said, “And if it comes up, no lying. We’ll just face it.”
Ryan nodded. “I like that idea. I like it a lot.”
“We can keep this house a secret,” Brian said, “And we can be together and be normal.”
Ryan’s eyes watered up and he nodded, his hands gently massaging Brian’s knees and thighs.
Brian grinned and leaned down, kissing Ryan. “So... this can’t go wrong. Things’ll be great.”
67. Snow
Ryan looked outside and sighed. He shut the door and yelled, “Dammit, it was raining yesterday. I’m done with snow!”
“No you’re not!” Brian called from the kitchen, “We’ve got to get to Roysie’s place for the snowball fight.”
“Fuck snow!” Ryan said, “I’m staying in bed!”
“No you’re not!” Brian continued to yell. “Roysie has good aim and I need your mad goalie skills to protect me.”
“What did Buffalo do wrong to deserve this cold, bitter white crap!” Ryan continued to stare at his door yelling, “I mean, a few months is fine, but I haven’t seen the ground since October!”
“Aren’t you from Michigan?” Brian called back.
“Shut up, not the point!” Ryan yelled, “I need it to be warm. I need it to be cozy and better. I’m moving to Florida, playing for the panthers.”
“No you’re not!” Brian yelled, “You play for the Sabres or you’re dead. Those are your options.”
Ryan opened the door, grabbing a handful of snow and making a snowball. He grinned and yelled, “Dammit! It’s still there! Whatever happened to global warming?”
“You’re a sick man, Miller.” Brian yelled, the sound of the fridge being opened.
Ryan crept to the kitchen and he said sweetly, “Hey Bri-pie...”
Brian turned, eyebrows creased, “Bri-pie...?”
But it was too late for the red haired man. The snowball hit him square in the chest. Brian pointed at Ryan, who started laughing. “So I see you’ve chosen option B, dead.”
Ryan spun around and screamed as Brian chased after him.
68. Lightening
Hank was a hard working man. He was top of his class in highschool, graduated college with full honors. He finished his masters in a year and a half, meeting his wife, and settling down in the suburbs. His job required a suit and tie, but he was home early enough for dinners and the evening, helping his wife raise the children, while she went to school in the evenings. She was a good hardworking woman, who liked to sing and loved dancing. He enjoyed playing guitar, and camping. They had three children, two boys and a beautiful new baby girl. The boys were very excited to be living near Ryan Miller. He was their favorite player. Both boys were in hockey, while the baby girl, according to Hank’s wife, would have to learn to stand first before she got her first skates. In short, Hank had a beautiful life. He was happy, comfortable, and had a lot to look forward to. His wife hadn’t worked in a few years, to focus on school.
Hank looked at his hand. The pink slip was so bright next to the other letters. He was laid off. It was another round of what he should have seen coming. Their rival plant had closed completely. Earlier in the year, they let off ten percent of the staff as it was. Now the entire plant was closing, the jobs going out of state. He sighed and thought about his baby girl and two boys. He wanted to take his wife on a second honeymoon to show her that he still loved her. He supported her in wanting to get another masters. Now, all these things must wait. He had no income. He’d have to get unemployment, if it applied to him. He’d have to sell the car, and maybe the tv. Perhaps, stop the boy’s hockey lessons for a bit. His wife would have to work now.
Hank picked up the phone and dialed out. He looked across the street, guilt twisting his stomach. He didn’t want to do this, but he needed some help. “Hey... yeah, channel four? Yeah... i’ve got a tip. I... I heard you were paying money for tips. YEah... I know where Ryan Miller lives, and I know his schedule. I also know who lives there with him. Yeah, i’ll hold.”
Hank dropped his head and turned his back. Ryan was a great neighbor, but his family came first.