"There he is." Kristina smiled as Ryland came through her open door. She was sitting on the window sill in her dorm room. "My favourite guy for the year."
"Could be Rookie of the year." Ryland grinned, coming forward. "Can I have my girl for a few minutes before I have to go to practice?" He eyed Casey and Amber who were sitting on her bed.
"You got it superstar." Casey smiled, crawling down.
"Good luck this weekend Handsome." Amber patted his shoulder on the way out, closing the door behind them.
"I'm getting nervous." Ryland approached her and settled between her legs, leaning on the shelf and into her for a hug.
"You'll win." Kristina wrapped her arms around him in a hug. She held him there for a minute. "I know it."
"Even if I don't win, I'll still have you there with me."
"Is that so?" Kristina grinned kissing him. "And am I better than a silly old trophy?"
"You bet that cute little ass of yours." He grinned, leaning in to kiss her. Boosting up, she wrapped her legs around him. He turned around, crossing the room towards her bed. He was about to lay her down on the bed when the door opened.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Ethan asked merrily. He took account of the situation and smiled. "I guess I am." He shrugged and headed over to settle in on Kristina's couch.
"Ethan." Kristina dropped her legs from around Ryland who moved back. "Have you met Ryland yet?"
"I have not." Ethan raised his boot to rest on his other knee.
"Ryland, this is my old friend Ethan." Kristina introduced, standing up.
"How ya doing mate?" Ethan grinned wickedly.
"I'd be better if you had better timing." Ryland shrugged. He didn't know if he liked the grin on this guy or not but he wasn't going to be pushed around. "Nice to meet you." Ryland sat on Kristina's bed.
"You too mate." Ethan grinned. "How's life?" He asked Kristina.
"Going." Kristina crossed the room and leaned back on the windowsill, not sure which side of the room to settle to. "You?"
"I'm good. Been busy." Ethan told her honestly.
"That's why you haven't been around much lately." Kristina reasoned. "Here I thought it was another bottle blonde."
"I do have a weakness for them." Ethan laughed. "You know me well. You're a golf player, right Ryland?"
"Hockey, actually." Ryland corrected. "A little different."
"They both have sticks and small balls." Ethan said decidedly.
"Hockey's played with a puck actually." Ryland wouldn't give in. "I have to get going." He got up, crossed the room and kissed Kristina. "I'll give you a shout after practice."
"K." Krissy smiled. "See you later."
"Catch you later man." Ryland tossed to Ethan on the way out the door.
"What's the hell Ethan?" Kristina asked.
"Can't an old friend stop by?" He asked sheepishly. "But it was kinda fun to run him off, I'll admit it."
"Oh, god, Krissy, you look unbelievable." Amber cried out. Kristina smoothed out the dress she had so carefully chosen. The dress was one shoulder sheath that was fitted and clung to her body until it reached her calves where it flared out with a swirl of fabric. The navy was set off by the diamond earrings she had borrowed from Carly. Casey had swept her hair up into a chic smooth knot with tendrils falling in wispy curls. Her makeup was flawless thanks to Amber's skilled hand.
"Are you sure it's not too much?" Kristina asked worriedly. Before she could answer there was a light knock and Milo allowed Ryland through the door.
"You look." Ryland took a deep breath. "Amazing."
"Thanks to us." Casey grinned, looking over at him. "You clean up nice."
"Thank you." Ryland did a little turn in his dark grey suit. "But I don't come close to you." He leaned forward and kissed Kristina lightly. "Ready to go?"
"Take lots of pictures!" Casey reminded. "And bring me home a doggy bag."
"Kristina." The maitre d' smiled when Kristina and Ryland stepped off the elevator. "You sir, are a lucky man." He told Ryland.
"Don't I know it." Ryland agreed.
"Duncan, this is Ryland." Kristina introduced. "Duncan is one of my bosses."
"Then you're just as lucky as me if you get to work with her." Ryland instantly won points with the man. "There's the coach, let's go say hi."
"See you later Duncan." Kristina kissed his cheek.
"He's handsome Kristina." Duncan whispered and winked.
Kristina spent the next two hours learning about sports networking. It was fascinating to learn the ins and outs of the sports business. Dinner was spent listening to stories and predictions for future seasons with different combinations of players and draft picks. Before the speeches began Kristina made her way to the ladies room. She was passing the greeter's station when she heard Duncan's voice.
"Gentlemen, I'm sorry our restaurant is closed for a private event." Glancing over, she smiled.
"Duncan, these gentlemen are friends of mine." Kristina stepped closer. "Maybe we could make an exception and find them a seat, please?"
Johnny and Ethan were caught off guard at the sight of Kristina in front of them.
"For you? I can squeeze them into a corner." Duncan smiled. "Give me a few minutes."
"Well, well, well." Ethan grinned. "Look at you now."
"You like?" Kristina gave a little twirl.
"A man would be a fool not to." Ethan shrugged leaning in and kissing her cheek. "And I'm no fool." His eyes twinkled.
"And what even has you all done up like this?" Johnny asked.
"University Association's athletic banquet." Kristina smiled. "Ryland's a shoe in for Rookie of the Year. I have to get back to our table before they start. Enjoy your dinner."
"Well, isn't he-" Johnny thought a second. "Athletic."
"No mate." Ethan stared after Kristina. "He's a lucky son of a bitch."
"Congratulations." Kristina hugged him. "I'm so proud of you!"
"This is freaking awesome!" Ryland was pumped. "Are you sure you're OK heading home alone? I would normally take you."
"I totally want you to celebrate with the guys. If I didn't have to work first thing in the morning I would be out with you." Kristina promised. "I am fine. Go! Have fun with the boys!" She pushed him.
"Come here first." He pulled her in close and kissed her. "Thanks for being here tonight."
"Thanks for bringing me." She countered. "I'll talk to you tomorrow." She headed towards the elevators. She waved to the bartenders and kissed Duncan's cheek then called the elevator when Johnny and Ethan pulled up.
"Heading home boys?" She grinned as they climbed on the elevator.
"We are. Thanks for getting us in to dinner." Johnny smiled. "I see your boyfriend won a trophy."
"He's really happy." Kristina supplied. "I'm so proud of him."
"Yet he's sending you home alone." Ethan pointed out.
"I have to work first thing." Kristina explained as they headed off the elevator and through the Lobby. "I want him to stay and celebrate."
"That's too bad." Ethan was sober when he said it although Johnny didn't buy it.
"The trials of a working girl." Kristina grinned.
"Can we give you a lift?" Johnny asked as they started down the steps.
"Milo is driving me these days." Kristina sighed. "I called him just before I headed down."
"Really?" Ethan stopped short in front of her. "What's with that?"
"Dad." Kristina sighed. "I don't have a choice. I had to beg to ditch the guard just for tonight and tonight only not to ruin the night for Ryland. Thanks for that by the way." She turned to Johnny.
"Better safe than sorry." Johnny kept heading down the stairs. Kristina started to reply when she saw the flashes. The sounds of gun shots were deafening and she jerked in shock when Ethan tackled her to the ground and covered her with his body. The shots rang out for what seemed forever and glass exploded and tires screeched. Glass fell on top of Ethan's back and the ground was cold and hard under Kristina.
"Are you hit?" Ethan asked, running his hands up and down her body. She looked at him with wide eyes but couldn't answer. "Krissy, answer me."
"I'm OK. I think." Kristina shook her head. "My face." She reached up to touch her cheek and pulled back to find blood. "It's just a scrape I think. Oh my god, are you OK?"
"I'm fine. Let me see." He felt her head and checked for blood. "It's just a scrape." He confirmed. "You'll be OK. Johnny?" Ethan called out, not moving. Siren wailed in the night and they came closer and closer.
"I'm good." Johnny bellied towards them. "Is she hit?"
"No. We're both good." Ethan answered. He looked down into Kristina's eyes. "Krissy, are you sure? You didn't hit your head of anything?"
"I," She started, squeezing her eyes shut. "I'm," She tried again.
"It's OK love." Ethan knew she was reliving it. "I've got you." He sighed, resting his forehead on hers.
"Here we go. Crazy police scenes." Johnny sighed as the police cars screeched up to them. He reached down as Ethan rolled to the side and they helped her up.
Kristina moaned at the sight of her dress. The thin gauze of the shoulder strap had been ripped and it was starting to fall off. Ethan pulled off his jacket and put it around her shoulders.
"Kristina?" Dante called out in a panic, recognizing his sister. "Oh my god!" Dante doubled the stairs. "Are you OK?"
"I'm ok." Kristina promised as he wrapped her up in his arms.
"Are you sure?" Dante held her head. "Oh baby, your face. Let's get you to the hospital."
"It's just a scrape Dante, I'm fine. I don't want to go to the hospital." Kristina told him.
"What in the hell is going on here?" He demanded to Johnny.
"Your guess is good as mine detective." Johnny told him. "Ethan and I were just leaving dinner and we got shot at."
"Why in the hell was Kristina with you?" He continued to press.
"I wasn't." Kristina voiced. "I was at the sports banquet with Ryland."
"OK." Dante took a breath. "Collect witness statements and casings." He told the officer next to him. "I'm going to get you in a squad car and home." He pulled Kristina.
"I'm going to take her." Ethan told him abruptly.
"I don't think so. You and your buddy already got her shot at once tonight." Dante sighed.
"You can't prove that." Johnny shook his head. "Let Ethan take her home. I'll stay and give you a statement." He bargained. Johnny usually refused to give statements.
"I'll make sure she's safe." Ethan promised. "And I'll come by the station to give my statement tomorrow."
"Dante please. I want Ethan to take me home." Kristina spoke up.
"Fine." Dante sighed, giving up. "I want you to text me the minute you're home."
"I promise." Kristina kissed his cheek. "One more favour?" She asked.
"What's that?" He asked even though he knew what it was already.
"Please don't tell Dad until tomorrow?" She asked hopefully.
"Fine. But you do, first thing in the morning." He sighed. "And you'll have to come give a statement in the morning." Dante reminded her.
"I have to work." Kristina shook her head.
"You won't now, I'll let them know inside." He promised. "Ma will understand."
"Thanks." Kristina grabbed his hand. "I love you." She said for the first time.
"I love you too." Dante smiled. "Get her home safe." He told Ethan.