Ryan sat across from Derek, her mind racing with questions. The café buzzed around them, filled with the hum of conversations and the clink of coffee cups. Derek’s piercing blue eyes never left hers as he stirred his black coffee, the faint smile playing on his lips hinting at secrets yet to be revealed.

“Okay, Derek,” Ryan began, trying to mask the growing unease in her voice. “What’s this all about? How do you know about Ethan and why is his career at risk?”

Derek leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly against the table. “It’s a long story, but I’ll keep it brief. I work for Ravenwood Sports Management, and we’ve been scouting Ethan for a while now. He’s got incredible talent, but there are complications.”

“Complications?” Ryan echoed, her interest piqued despite herself.

“Yes,” Derek nodded solemnly. “His recent performance dip, the potential strike affecting the team’s morale, and some... unsavory rumors making rounds.”

Ryan’s heart sank. “Rumors? What kind of rumors?”

Derek took a slow sip of his coffee before speaking again. “Gossip about his ‘partying lifestyle,’ poor grades, and even some fabricated tales suggesting he’s entangled in off-field scandals. Nothing we’ve verified, but damaging if left unchecked.”

Ryan clenched her fists, anger bubbling under her skin. Ethan had his flaws, but she knew these accusations were grossly exaggerated or entirely false. “And you’re telling me this because...?”

“Because you’re close to him,” Derek said, his voice lowering. “And because I believe you can help steer him back on track. He listens to you, Ryan.”

She studied Derek’s face for any hint of deception. His calm, almost inscrutable expression didn’t offer much.

“What’s in it for you?” Ryan asked suspiciously.

“Ravenwood needs talents like Ethan,” Derek admitted. “It’s in our best interest to see him succeed, and if that means helping him navigate these rough waters, so be it. But I can’t do it alone.”

Ryan mulled over his words, realizing the weight of his proposition. Despite her reservations, she found herself drawn to Derek’s mysterious demeanor and the offer he presented. “Alright. I’ll talk to Ethan. But if you’re playing some game, Derek, you’ll regret it.”

Derek gave her a reassuring smile, one that might have been comforting under different circumstances. “You have my word. No games. Only solutions.”

---

As Ryan made her way back to the apartment, her mind raced with thoughts of Ethan and the newly discovered threats. She knew she had to tell him, but the timing had to be perfect. Falling into deep contemplation, the journey blurred until she found herself at their front door, unsure of what to expect.

Opening the door, she was met with the sight of Ethan sprawled on the couch, his textbook resting on his chest, eyes closed. The stress was clearly getting to him. Ryan felt a swell of tenderness, but she also knew this wasn’t the time to indulge in soft feelings.

Moving quietly, she placed her bags down and sat beside him. He stirred, green eyes blinking open to find her watching him.

“Hey,” he said, his voice thick with sleep. “How was your lunch with Emma?”

"It was good," Ryan replied, reaching out to gently touch his arm. “But something else happened. We need to talk.”

Ethan sat up, suddenly more alert. “Talk? About what?”

Ryan took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. “I met someone today, Derek Blackwell. He works for Ravenwood Sports Management and... he had some concerning things to share about you.”

“Ravenwood?” Ethan frowned, clearly puzzled. “What did he say?”

“He mentioned that there are rumors circulating about you—about your grades, your lifestyle. He thinks it might hurt your career prospects,” Ryan explained, her voice steady but her heart pounding.

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. “I’ve heard whispers, but I thought they’d die down. Who would do this?”

Ryan hesitated before continuing. “He believes someone’s deliberately smearing your reputation. He wants to help, but we need to be careful.”

Ethan leaned back, deep in thought. “So, what’s our next move?”

“We confront this head-on,” Ryan said firmly, determination igniting in her eyes. “We find out who’s behind this and clear your name.”

Ethan’s gratitude was palpable. He reached out, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Thank you, Ryan. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

As they held each other, the closeness quickly kindled the spark they’d left unattended. Their breaths mingled, and before long, their restraint frayed, giving way to a tender kiss that escalated into fervent passion.

Ethan’s hands traced familiar paths along Ryan’s back, pulling her onto his lap. Her fingers tangled in his hair, the earlier tension melting into the growing heat between them.

“Ethan,” she whispered against his lips, her voice trembling with both urgency and doubt.

“Shh,” he murmured, trailing kisses along her jawline. “Let’s not overthink this. Just... feel.”

Ryan surrendered, leaning into the sensations coursing through her. Though the threat of rumors and complications loomed over them, in that intimate bubble, nothing else mattered. The slow burn of their connection ignited into a full-blown blaze, each touch stoking the fire between them.

---

Afterwards, they found themselves lying together, hearts racing, the gravity of their situation temporarily suspended. Ryan traced patterns on Ethan’s chest, soaking in the tender aftermath of their shared intimacy.

“This... almost feels surreal,” she said softly, her voice betraying the whirlwind of emotions within her.

“Yeah,” Ethan agreed, his hand brushing through her hair. “Yet, here we are. And it feels... right.”

Ryan propped herself up on one elbow, looking down into Ethan’s eyes. “We’re in this together, okay? No more secrets, no more walls.”

Ethan nodded, his eyes reflecting a mixture of resolve and vulnerability. “I promise.”

Just as the serene moment settled over them, Ethan’s phone rang, the jarring sound shattering their brief respite. He groaned, reaching over to check the caller ID. It was an unknown number.

Reluctantly, he answered. “Hello?”

Ryan watched as his expression transitioned from confusion to alarm. “Who is this?”

He listened intently, then exploded with a litany of questions, the urgency in his voice growing with each passing second. “No, I don’t know anything about that... When? How?”

Ryan’s concern multiplied as she observed Ethan struggle for answers. The call ended abruptly, leaving a silent question mark hovering between them.

“Ethan, what happened?” Ryan asked, her anxiety returning tenfold.

“That was an anonymous tip,” Ethan said, his voice barely above a whisper. “They claim to have evidence linking me to past indiscretions, things I haven’t done. If it gets out...”

The weight of the revelation settled over Ryan like a heavy cloak. Their situation had just become infinitely more complicated, and the stakes were higher than ever.