Me and Luna are still asleep when a soft knock comes from our hotel room door. Maya, who is sitting at the desk doing her makeup to match Luna's competition outfit, gets up quietly to answer the door. I take a peek at the clock sitting on the nightstand and see that it is only 9am.

Before Maya can reach the door another loud aggressive bang rings through the room, effectively waking Luna. "Who the fuck?" she curses shooting up and ripping her sleep mask off. Luna depends heavily on her beauty sleep, always sleeping in her silk pajama set and sleep mask with her head perfectly propped up on 2 pillows like a princess.

"Good morning," Maya giggles from the door just out of view.

"Morning," I hear Alex reply sweetly. Even without seeing them I know they're both standing awkwardly at the door looking at each other trying to determine what to say next, both blushing slightly.

Ryder marches into the room and rips the blanket off Luna, covering my head with it. "Move Cruella," he orders as I feel her being ripped from our bed. I untangle myself just in time to see her being dumped onto the couch in our hotel room very dramatically.

"Agh Francesca," she screeches as Ryder turns back to the bed and climbs in, blanketing his body over mine.

"Ry," I scold while wrapping my arms around him, already enjoying the warmth his body radiates. My voice lacks all conviction as he smiles up at me, trying to look innocent.

Luna stands and gives Ryder one of the nastiest looks I have ever seen. "I am going to Tristians," she announces before grabbing her phone from the bedside table and then yanking a piece of Ryder's hair aggressively.

"Ow," he whines, rubbing his head. They both look at me the way me and my siblings use to look at our parents as we relentlessly beat on each other.

"Play nice, please," I ask while giving them both my cutest pouty lip and puppy dog eyes. They instantly soften and mutter weak apologies to each other before Luna slips on her slippers and leaves to go to Tristian's room across the hall. She doesn't bring any of her things since she still has 5 hours until she needs to be at the arena for warm ups.

"We are going to go get coffee, do either of you want anything?" Alex asks after Luna has loudly slammed the door to announce her departure.

"No thank you Alex," I smile as Ryder already begins planting soft kisses all over my face, neck, and shoulder.

He waits for Maya to get her shoes on and then leads her out of the room, his hand on her back. "We are incredible," I beam as we both look at each other.

"Do you know how many relationships we've created? Shit Beck, we should start our own matchmaking business."

"Fryder dating services," I suggest.

"Mmm, sounds like a winner to me," he teases before pushing up on his elbows and kissing me.

Ryder is much more relaxed today than he was yesterday at lunch with my parents. The twins, for once, kept something to themselves so after our little tiff in the lobby of the arena we both had to fill the rest of my family in on our new status. Everyone was chill with it like I expected and we all went to lunch like we planned.

Lunch is when I noticed Ryder was acting... different. He was quieter, not as assured, and fidgety. For a few minutes I wondered if he was in pain and not telling me but even after he took his painkillers he remained the same. I didn't want to ask him in front of my family what was wrong so I let it go then but now that we are alone I want to get to the bottom of it. We have learned time and time again that we need to speak up and stop assuming stuff so this is my attempt at that.

"You seem more energetic today," I note, dancing around the topic a little. Ryder stills and looks at me trying to gauge my mood. "Is everything ok babe?" I probe, trying to be gentle. Ryder is still guarded with his emotions and I don't want to be too forceful or overwhelming. Unlike in the hospital, I try to put myself in his shoes and consider how he is feeling.

"I feel like an asshole," he mumbles, rolling over onto his back and staring at the ceiling.

I roll over onto my stomach and prop myself up so I can look at his face. He looks at me and then looks back at the ceiling not saying more. "Why? I am sure you aren't but I can't tell you for sure if you don't tell me."

He swallows, still refusing to look at me. "Yesterday when you were so excited that your family was here I wanted to be happy for you, I swear I did, but I couldn't. I was so jealous that they flew all the way from New York just to see you skate for 3 minutes. I was jealous that you had them and I was just standing there alone. I felt replaceable which is so fucking stupid because you can't date your family but its how I felt."

Ryder's eyes get glassy as he tries to tamper down his emotions. His own jealousy and fear mix with the guilt that he felt those emotions toward me. I am stunned, he was the one that agreed to brunch in 2 hours despite all these feelings. He thinks he's a bad person for feeling this but he is so selfless. Instead of avoiding being around all of us he is choosing to subject himself to these uncomfortable feelings for my happiness.

"You aren't an asshole," I tell him firmly. He still won't look at me so I put my face right in his line of sight so he has to look at me. "What you're feeling it feels wrong but it isn't. You grew up with them, they're horrible and just...," I take a deep breath to collect myself, feeling myself begin to shake just thinking about how they have treated him his entire life. "It is normal to want that, to crave what others have. When I first met you I used to hope your car would get a flat because I was jealous."

"A flat can be fixed in the matter of minutes Francesca, that is different. You hoped I was mildly inconvenienced for a few minutes and I was jealous your family wasn't assholes like mine. That is just fucked in the head," he argues his voice rising slightly.

"Your family is more than just assholes Ryder. My brothers, they can be assholes but your parents are down right manipulative and abusive. Stop trying to minimize it because they didn't hit you. What they did isn't something you're just going to get over because you told me you loved me. It is going to take years, maybe even a lifetime to fully heal from what they've done."

"But I am a mess," he sighs defeated. "How are you not disgusted by what I was thinking?"

"Because," I lean down and kiss him gently before continuing, "you felt all that and instead of walking away or ruining my happiness you suffered through watching me and my family for 2 hours at lunch and then agreed to be subjected to it even more today. I can't imagine how hard this all is and if there is anything I can do please let me know but I am not disgusted, not even a little bit. Actually I am fucking proud."

"Really?" he wonders quietly, his fingers holding on to me like a scared child would their favorite teddy bear.

"Really," I confirm laying on top of him and holding him tightly kissing his neck up his jawline and then finally reaching his soft lips.

When I said I was proud of Ryder that was a gross understatement. What I feel is so much deeper than pride. He doesn't know this but I watched the videos from the draft. I saw how they stole his spotlight and drained all the happinesses from the best day of his life. I also know from his friends and from his own admission he avoids being around people with their families like the night the house had the party and we skipped to avoid everyone's families. I knew Ryder loved me immensely, that was never a question, but to see that love literally change something he has done his entire life in just a few short moments. I don't think he fully realizes how monumental what he did yesterday is.

Me and Ryder lay in bed for over an hour just making out. Our hands explore each other's bodies in a lazy way, just taking our time. There is no rush as his rough hands slowly caress my skin and I more carefully do the same to him.

When I finally get up to get dressed Ryder stays in bed scrolling on his phone. Alex and Maya return as I exit the bathroom after washing my face. "How was coffee?"

"Oh my god, Fran we went to this cute little place and it was so charming and the coffee came in all these cute mugs that were all different but all like animal themed. Did you know that a snail can sleep for three years, right," she looks up at Alex who looks like he wants to grab her face and just kiss her.

"Yeah," he nods as she smiles up at him then looks back at me.

"Wow, I wish I was a snail," I laugh.

Ryder finally gets out of bed so we can go meet my parents in the lobby and wraps his arms around me from behind. "I would still love you if you were a snail butt," he says, beating me to my own question. Good to know I am safe if I ever turn into a worm or a snail in the future.

We say our goodbyes to Alex and Maya, who have plans to go to some thrift shop together for Maya to look for fabric for her final piece for one of her classes. Ryder and I are giddy the entire way to the lobby finally seeing our ship begin to sail. We both agree it is only a matter of time before Alex caves and confesses his feelings. I just pray when he does Maya feels worthy of his affection and doesn't pull a Ryder and almost ruin a good thing.

"Morning," Joe greets as we meet up in the lobby. I grab Ryder's hand and he gives it a soft squeeze. I am much more aware of his feelings today so I try to make sure he knows I am not going to just ditch him for my family, that he is equally as important and his presence here is wanted.

"Morning kids," my mom greets, giving me a kiss before moving to give Ryder a soft hug. She is a nurse so she is very careful about his ribs. I give him a quick kiss as we begin walking to where my dad is pulling the car around, proud he didn't shy away from her affection.

When we get to the restaurant my parents keep glancing at Ryder and then at each other which is making me anxious. Ryder doesn't seem to notice as he and Joe get into a deep conversation about the Islanders season. Joe never brings up anything about him being on the team and instead they talk about the team solely as two fans. He begins to relax and lets go of his grip on my hand as we sit at the round table with him next to me, my mom on my other side Joe next to Ryder and my dad between Joe and my mom.

"I have to use the ladies room, honey why don't you join me?" my mom asks sweetly but I know based on the look she gives that saying no isn't an option.

"Ok," I nod whispering softly to Ryder that I am leaving for a moment so he doesn't get nervous. He nods, barely paying me any mind and I walk with my mom. "Lets not do the song and dance mom just spit it out."

"Your father is right, you are my daughter," she laughs as we walk into the bathroom. She stands in front of a mirror fixing her lipstick while I lean against the sink waiting for her to just spit it out. I know Ryder acknowledged that I left but I still feel anxious leaving him alone after everything he told me earlier. "Anyways, you know Joe is moving out next month, right?"

"Yeah," I reply. Everyone knows that Joe is moving out the same weekend the twins graduate. We are all driving down to Florida for their graduation and then driving home and moving Joe into his new place. The twins will drive themselves home in the car they share so they won't be home until Joe is moved out.

"We will have an empty room," she states looking at me as if she is saying something so groundbreaking.

"Yeah," I say again.

"I know Carson mentioned yesterday he is still looking for an apartment for the summer. Me and dad were thinking, with rent being so high in New York and with us being so close to the rink, it might just be easier if he stays in Joe's room for the summer? If you're ok with that?"

"Ryder live with us?" I question as if the words she is saying are foreign and I am not hearing her right.

"It is up to you both but I know you said he doesn't know if he is staying or if in August he will come back for his senior year and finding a lease for only a few months will be impossible, so it is an offer."

"Yes," I yell, wrapping my arms around my mom. "Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, thank you!"

"Of course Franny, he is a nice boy and I trust you two will behave." She gives me that all knowing mom look and I nod. I am not sure if Ryder will say yes to their offer but I know it will take a weight off his shoulders just to have the offer.

I skip back to the table with my mom trailing behind me. My dad steals a look at my mom knowing she just told me. I circle the table and give him a hug and a kiss before planting myself next to Ryder.

We all order food and then the table gets quiet. I am bouncing in my seat like a kid hopped up on sugar, Ryder is watching me looking slightly concerned. My parents are purposely dragging this out waiting to see how long I can keep quiet before I bust and Joe is watching in amusement.

I make it a solid minute before losing it. "Just say it," I beg, falling dramatically onto the table.

My parents laugh before clearing their throats and focusing on my poor confused boyfriend. "Carson," my mom begins.

"He prefers Ryder," I peep up, barely lifting my head from the table.

"Sorry," she apologizes sincerely. "Ryder, last night after lunch my husband and I were talking and we were wondering if you would like to stay at our house this summer, while you figure out what you are doing in the fall."

"What?" he stammers looking at the entire table in confusion. I squeeze his hand letting him know I am right next to him.

"Well Joe is moving out," my dad continues, "and we live close to the rink. We just figured we would put the offer on the table."

"I- I don't know what to say," he stutters, still in shock.

"You don't need to give us an answer today. The room will always be there for you."

Ryder tries to process everything as the food is set down in front of us. I fill the silence with conversation keeping him protected from anyone while he works through it all. As we all finish I watch Ryder slip the waitress his card without anyone noticing. I try to hide my smile but he catches me and sneaks a quick kiss.

"Are you ok with this," he whispers while my parents talk to Joe about his new job.

"Of course I would love to be living with you all summer. Imagine the possibilities." Ryder's eyes get darker as he smirks. "Dirty," I chide even if I was thinking the same thing.

"So, roommates?" he teases, taking my chin between his fingers so he can look me in the eyes and get my genuine reaction.

"The ladies are living in my room," I tell him with an evil smirk. He tries to fight the smile but it is too big to stop as it takes over his entire face.

"Mr. and Mrs. Beckett," he interrupts politely.

"Ryder, just call us Gio and Isabella please, you're making us feel old," My dad teases lightly.

Ryder nods and continues, "About this summer, I can pay rent. I don't want to live for free, that is just wrong."

They both roll their eyes. "Unnecessary. How about we make a deal." Ryder perks up and nods so my dad continues. "I want rink side tickets to your first game, whether it be for the Islanders or someone else, your first NHL game I want to be so close I get sweat on."

"Ew Giovanni." My mom swats at her husband in disgust as him and Joe high five.

"That isn't anywhere near enough," Ryder protests. "Let me contribute something."

"I have an idea," my mom interjects before my dad can say something stupid again. "You continue to make our girl happy; oh and you come to Sunday dinner every week."

"Nonna is gonna eat you alive," I giggle as Ryder thinks about the offer.

"It still doesn't seem fair, but thank you. And Gio those tickets are yours, and you too Joe, plus the twins."

"Me too?" I ask even though I know I am going to be the first one to get a ticket.

Ryder looks at me and I nearly faint. The love he has for me is just overflowing making my chest tight. Fuck I love this feeling. "Nah you have to watch from home you aren't invited."

"Asshole," I threaten as the whole table laughs.

I settled in close to Ryder as Joe tells him all about his room and we make plans for his move to New York, to my house.