RYAN KNEW better than to screw a teammate. And he also knew how to curb his impulses. He wasn’t a teenager. He wouldn’t risk locker-room camaraderie or this tentative friendship with Nico just because Nico was, objectively, hot. Not even if he was starting to suspect there was a personality under the attitude, one with a dark sense of humor and an admirable work ethic. Was it misguided of Nico to think he could fix the team all by himself? Absolutely, yes. Did Ryan still find that level of dedication and personal responsibility compelling? Unfortunately, also yes. The point was, Ryan had no
...more
