Contents
26. Ryan
Overview
Ryan finally confesses his deepest trauma to Indy: a college girlfriend staged a relationship and pregnancy to exploit him, shattering his trust and fueling years of depression and control. Indy, fearing she’s taking advantage, offers to move out after learning her procedure is covered. Stevie unexpectedly walks in, and the misunderstanding remains unresolved, raising personal and relational stakes.
Summary
Ryan, emotionally raw after his injury, positions Indy in his lap and decides to finally speak. He shares his long-suppressed dream of a family and recounts falling for Marissa in college, keeping their relationship secret at her urging. During his senior season, Marissa became pregnant, and Ryan readied a home and proposal after being drafted first overall.
At the hospital, Ryan discovered the baby was not his. Marissa confessed she and her real boyfriend had schemed to secure child support. The betrayal obliterated Ryan’s trust and sent him into a two-year depression marked by isolation and neglect. Attempts at casual sex only worsened his paranoia, reinforcing his need for control and cleanliness, and channeling everything into basketball.
Ryan explains that while basketball broke his heart, it also saved him; he rebuilt himself by shutting people out and becoming the best. Indy urges a middle ground—success with trust—but Ryan admits he hasn’t found anyone who wants nothing from him.
Indy, shaken, reveals her insurance will cover her summer procedure and, not wanting to take advantage, offers to move out after helping him through recovery. Ryan tries to stop her, insisting she’s different, but before he can clarify, Stevie walks in on them. Embarrassed, Indy pulls away. Stevie retreats, and the conversation stalls, leaving Ryan desperate to fix the misunderstanding.
Who Appears
- RyanOpens up about past betrayal, depression, and control issues; clarifies his fear of being used; tries to stop Indy from moving out.
- IndyListens to Ryan’s confession, misreads it as a sign she’s taking advantage, and offers to move out after insurance news.
- StevieWalks in on an intimate, tense moment between Ryan and Indy, unintentionally interrupting their crucial conversation.
- MarissaRyan’s college ex; revealed in backstory as having faked a relationship and pregnancy to exploit him.