More Than Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker #2) Read Online Free

“Is…”
    The guy cocked an eyebrow at me, but smiled good-naturedly. “Teodoro Vivenzio.”
    He stood and shook Ryan’s hand.
    “Right,” I said. “Sorry. Teodoro was there this afternoon and offered to walk Becky and me back because we were so upset.”
    Ryan shuddered and tucked Becky and me into his sides. We both hung on tight. “I owe you a thank-you, then,” he said to Teodoro. “I appreciate you taking care of my girls until I could get to them.”
    That reminded me. “It’s early,” I said. “Did you ditch out on the game?”
    Ryan nodded. “When I didn’t see Becky with her team, I asked her coach what happened. She told me about the accident and I couldn’t get it together after that, so coach pulled me. Don’t worry. He said I could leave.”
    “Let me guess. You’re the quarterback?” Teodoro asked. I could tell from the look on his face that he wasn’t all that impressed. Of course not. He probably liked things like Comic-Con and indie rock.
    Becky must have missed his disdain because she started boasting like a proud sister. “He’s the star quarterback! The dork actually turned down a spot on UCLA’s team in order to stay closer to us.”
    “And it was completely worth it,” Ryan said stubbornly.
    Becky and I had both tried to talk him into taking the Bruins’ offer, but even knowing that I could have visited him any time I wanted he wouldn’t hear of it.
    I was glad when Becky rolled her eyes. We both thought it was ridiculous that he’d given up so much for us.
    “UCLA?” Teodoro asked. This time he was a little more impressed, or maybe the right word was intimidated .
    Ryan shrugged. For some reason, his football skills are the only thing he’s ever been modest about in his life. “I would have been, like, third string,” he said. “I wouldn’t have seen any game time until I was a junior or senior.”
    “Still,” Teodoro said, “that’s pretty impressive. And with all your boy-band looks, you must have to beat the girls off with a stick, huh?”
    Ryan smirked and I groaned. “Please do not encourage the Ryan Miller Ego. I beg you!”
    Ryan laughed and pulled me tighter against him. “I’ve got the only girl I need.”
    “Wise answer,” I told him, but that only made him laugh more.
    Teodoro eyed Ryan and me curiously and then shook himself from his daze when he realized he was staring. “You must be tired after your game. Why don’t the four of us go find a café and relax for a little while? I, for one, won’t be able to sleep much tonight, and it seems we’ve already consumed all of Jamie’s Magic Tea.”
    Ryan smiled at that. He was the one who’d introduced me to the tea. I’d made fun of him for it, and now he teases me relentlessly for my addiction to it.
    “Actually, that sounds nice,” Becky said, surprising me. I glanced at her and she was smiling—albeit hesitantly—at Teodoro.
    I couldn’t believe she was showing interest in a guy. I really wanted some alone time with Ryan, but I couldn’t refuse Teodoro’s invitation when Becky was taking such a huge step.
    I was about to say yes when Ryan let out a long, tired sigh. “That sounds great,” he started, “but I’m not really feeling up to it.” He squeezed me and said, “I was kind of hoping to go see Mike.”
    I hated the look on Ryan’s face. I tend to forget how close Ryan and Mike are because of what happened with Becky. I hadn’t even thought about the fact that one of Ryan’s best friends was fighting for his life right now.
    “Of course,” I said.
    “Thanks. Do you know anything? I called his parents, but they didn’t answer their phones.”
    “You know the guy who got hit?” Teodoro asked.
    Ryan nodded. “He’s been one of my best friends for years.”
    Teodoro’s eyes shifted to Becky. “But isn’t he the guy who—”
    “Becky and I aren’t exactly friends with Mike,” I said quickly. “But we do a good job at not letting it interfere with Ryan.”
    I