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Appalachia Adventures: Part 2

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Part 1 • Part 3

A/N: This is where I found that my notes app has a text limit. I was loving this part so much because it’s cute and sweet. I hope you guys love it, too. It doesn’t surround the speedway/race as much this time. And there is definitely going to be a third part. The photo below the gif (that isn’t mine) is one I took myself on top of a certain mountain in this part. :)

Pairing: Ryan Brenner x Reader

Rating: M (only because of a more suggestive theme and a little language, but it’s still pretty innocent)

Words: 4.9k (wow... and part three has also probably reached this length)

Tags: @the-blind-assassin-12 @suchatinyinfinity

Tell me if you want to be tagged!

Your phone dings and it’s all you need to rush out of your apartment to the pickup truck parked beside your Jeep Cherokee.

Ryan is already out of the passenger side, but Georgie is still climbing out. He doesn’t get his feet on the ground before you’re tackling him back into his seat. The truck horn goes off and Ryan’s hearty laugh rings out from the back of the truck.

“Christ, Y/N! Let me get out of the truck first!” Georgie groans. “I think you broke my back on the center console.”

“Oh, get over it.” You crawl off of him and bounce a little once you touch the ground. “You barely texted me this last year!”

He sits up and dramatically looks at Ryan as he speaks. “It’s like you spent all your free time talking to your new friend.”

By that point, you are in front of Ryan, both hands on his face. You grin at him, trying hard not to focus on the texture of his beard. “I’m glad you decided to come back this year.”

He nods. “Course. I couldn’t go without your cookin’ any longer.”

Laughing, you hug Ryan tightly. You love hugging Georgie, but Ryan’s arms around you feel perfect like they’re meant for holding you. Your face is pink when you step away and tap the side of the truck.

“Who let you use their truck?”

“My roommate back home. He’s taking a little time off and doesn’t plan on leaving the house the whole weekend,” Georgie says, leaning against the door. “Why’d you have us come here instead of meeting us out in a lot?”

You shrug. “Took four years to realize it makes more sense to have you park here since y’all stay here. Have you guys eaten dinner yet?” You look at Ryan.

He shakes his head. “I bet we’re ‘bout to.”

“Damn right, Brenner. You two can figure out who’s sleepin’ where while I finish dinner. Wash up and be at the table by 7, all right?”

Georgie nods, kisses your head and walks inside with his things.

Ryan smiles down at you. “Sounds good, Y/N. See you then.” He purposely nudges you as he walks by.

You follow him in. Your phone is in the kitchen playing music and you awkwardly laugh when “Southbound” – your absolute favorite song from the guys – is playing on repeat.

Ryan’s face lights up as you push past him to stop the song. He chuckles.

“I usually listen to y’all’s music the week before Georgie gets here,” you explain. “I was too excited to see you in my parkin’ space to pause it.”

“It’s cute.”

You blink as your face catches fire. Ryan doesn’t notice because he sets his bag on the floor before making his way upstairs to see if the bathroom is free.

Clearing your throat, you snap yourself back into focus and continue working on dinner. You hum the song as quietly as you can, pausing any time you hear the guys moving around upstairs.

The first thing out of Georgie’s mouth when he comes into the kitchen is about the song. You punch his arm half-heartedly while he teases you over what he calls your obsession.

“It’s a good song, Georgie,” you pout, tasting the Alfredo sauce you’re making. “I can’t help listenin’ to it.”

He picks out a grape tomato from the salad you tossed. “Are you sure it has nothing to do with a certain friend of mine singing it? It’s probably his best song in my opinion.”

“Oh, my God, Georgie. I like all the songs. The lyrics are amazing and speak volumes. It means somethin’.”

“Yeah. It is a good song. I’m pretty sure Ryan wrote it right before recording it.” Georgie stirs the pasta for you when you hand him the spoon. “And I didn’t tell you that so you can stare at him all googly-eyed.”

“I don’t stare at anyone like that.”

“No, but you look at him like he’s the only guy worth anything. It kinda hurts my pride, sweetheart. How long have you known him?”

You lean your head on Georgie’s shoulder for a moment. “You know I’ll always love you, Georgie. No one’s gonna change that.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Ryan enters the kitchen right as you’re pulling the garlic bread out of the oven.

You glance at him with a smile when he starts grabbing dishes and sets them out without being promoted. You hear Georgie roll his eyes – yes hear – and you chew on your lower lip.

Sure, you only met Ryan for three days a year ago, but you love talking to him and being around him. Sometimes you found yourself looking forward to his texts even when Georgie was talking to you on the phone. You are head over heels for Ryan and he hardly does anything beyond existing.

Ryan holds his hands up to take anything to the table for you, so you place the bowl of garlic bread in one hand and the salad bowl in the other.

You mix the grilled chicken in with the pasta and Alfredo sauce before setting it on a potholder in the center of the table.

With a smile, you start doling out the pasta for the guys, giving each of them more than you give yourself. You don’t think either notice, but Ryan does and he puts an extra piece of garlic bread on your plate.

“You guys are disgusting,” Georgie mutters as he fills his bowl with salad.

“Shut up,” you say while taking your seat. “Just eat your food, okay? I didn’t make it so you can tease me.”

Ryan’s eyes shift between you two while he takes a bite of his salad.

“Quit making eyes at each other then.”

You toss a piece of a carrot at his face, giggling to yourself after. “You know you can ignore it, right?”

“Oh, so you admit it?”

Finally, your face flushes. “No. Stop. Can we not right now?” You shyly look at Ryan. There’s a small smile on his lips while he eats.

So it’s pretty clear you like Ryan and you tell him pretty often, not because you wanted anything to come from it. You just like people knowing the truth. Ryan never deterred you from and he still doesn’t, so you’re not too worried about Georgie talking about it. It’s just embarrassing to have another person talk so openly about your feelings. Georgie probably doesn’t know Ryan is aware of how you feel.

“You know he’s got it bad, too?”

“Georgie...” Ryan sighs.

“Didn’t think there was a girl out there that would make him act like a fool again, yet here you are.”

You swallow your food quickly. “Oh, come on. You tryin’ to start a fight ‘cause I’ll kick your ass if I have to.”

“I’m serious. I think he’s even writing a song about you.”

“Georgie.” Ryan’s voice is louder than you’ve ever heard it and stern.

You blink and watch the men stare each other down. The air is thick with whatever silent conversation they’re having.

“You jealous?” Ryan smirks.

Georgie laughs. “Yeah, no. I only like Y/N for her cooking. You can have her.”

“Oh, my God,” you groan, hiding your face in your hands. “Please just eat your dinners and go do somethin’ else.”

Ryan and Georgie smile at each other, but they obey with a few jabs here and there.

–––––

“So, they’re predictin’ rain this weekend,” you say to the guys when they meander into the living room after dressing for bed. Ryan is the one stuck on the couch this time. “There’s a high chance no one will show up to the race because of it. I figure we can try to brave the traffic and go somewhere. Maybe hike up Roan?”

“Won’t it be rainin’ there?” Ryan asks, sitting next to you on his bed.

“Maybe. Maybe not. It’s worth checkin’ it out either way. Even if we can’t see much, the clouds will look epic.”

Georgie sits on the floor in front of the couch, leaning his head back to stare up at you. “Do you want us to play music on a mountain or something?”

“Hikin’ with an instrument no matter the size sucks, so no. I just want you guys to see something other than Bristol. And if it rains, we’ll be couped up here and I don’t want that for y’all.”

“I wouldn’t mind hikin’ in the rain,” Ryan says. “Count me in.”

“Georgie?”

His body slumps. “I guess if he’s going then I need to go to make sure he keeps his hands to himself.”

You get off the couch, patting Georgie’s cheek. “Sounds like a plan then. I’ll see y’all bright and early.” You swiftly lean over to kiss Ryan’s cheek. You don’t look back at him as you climb the stairs.

“Wow, Ryan. You’ve upgraded,” Georgie teases, making you chew on your bottom lip to hide your smile. It didn’t work.

“Shut up, Georgie.”

You hear the sound of a pillow against something solid and a grunt as you close your bedroom door.

–––––

When you come downstairs the next morning, Ryan is already awake folding up the blankets he used overnight. His hair is wet and hangs haphazardly around his face. There’s a wet spot on his shirt between his shoulder blades where he missed with the towel. You resist sniffing the air around him as you go by. You smelled his body wash long before you came downstairs.

Ryan watches you as you shuffle into the kitchen to start making a breakfast casserole you’ve planned for a few days. “Want some help?”

You swing your head around while cracking an egg. “If you wanna help then be my guest. I won’t stop you.”

“What do you need?”

Your heart swells at his eagerness. He’s too good for this world. “You can chop up what’s left of the onion in the fridge and the red pepper, too.”

“Anything else?”

“Do that and I’ll let you know.”

You both work together to get the casserole in the oven, making small talk every now and then. Without thinking, you hum out a few bars of one of the boys’ songs, which leads Ryan to finish it when you shy away. You melt right there. Seriously. You nearly fall over because your legs get a little wobbly. Ryan chuckles at you.

“Shush, Brenner.”

“Didn’t say nothin’.”

“Yet you spoke volumes.”

“You started it.”

A cough has the two of you looking at Georgie who does not look well. You walk over to him and put your forehead against his.

“You’re burnin’ up. Were you feelin’ sick yesterday?”

“Not really. I thought it was some weird feeling I had from the food we ate in Illinois.”

You look at Ryan. “Did you notice anything?”

He shakes his head.

“You’re stayin’ home today, okay? We can stay to take care of you. We’ll try Roan Mountain tomorrow.”

Georgie shoves past you to sit at the table. “I’m fine, Y/N. Don’t ruin your day to watch me. I’m not a kid.”

“I don’t feel right leavin’ you alone.”

He looks into your eyes and holds your face. “You and Ryan are going up that mountain today. I can take care of myself. Show Ryan a good time, yeah?”

You ignore his suggestive wink and pull your face out of his hands. You look at Ryan again. “Do you still wanna go without him? I won’t make you if you don’t. We really can do this another time.”

Ryan smiles softly. “I’ll go if you go.”

“That doesn’t help me here.”

“Sure. We can go.”

“Good,” Georgie yawns. “You two have fun and let me rest alone. What’s for breakfast?”

–––––

Ryan stares out your car window watching the world go by as you make the slow ascent up Roan. It’s not a steep mountain, but there are several switchbacks and small roads that keep the speed limit low.

The first time Ryan’s side of the mountain drops off, he pulls away from the window a little surprised. You laugh and tell him to imagine being afraid of heights and seeing the side drop off. He chuckles and goes back to staring.

By the time you get up the mountain, the sky is partially covered with clouds. It’s better than you expected.

You get your camera bag out of the back and put it over your shoulder. “I’m not sure if it’ll rain when we get up there, but there is a covered area through those trees where we can hide if we have to. But I’m hopeful it’ll wait until we get back down.”

“What ‘bout your camera?”

You pat the bag. “This is waterproof, so it should be fine. If I have it out, my jacket can cover it. You ready? It’s a hike, but it’s a short one considerin’ what trails we have out here.”

“Let’s go then.”

“Hold on,” you say as you fish out your camera. “I wish Georgie was here because he’d love takin’ pictures up here. If you don’t mind though, I’d love to get some of you. That fence there kinda fits this hipster lumberjack thing you’ve got goin’ on.”

He smiles. “Do with me what you want.”

You ignore the coiling of your stomach. “C’mere.”

You don’t take much time taking a few artsy photos of Ryan in various poses against the fence. You don’t need much time to make them look good because his presence in them does that already.

As you continue up the mountain, you point out the rhododendron bushes and tell him how gorgeous they are in bloom, promising to show him some pictures when you get home.

Both of you politely greet a few hikers coming down the mountain. Once they clear away, you take a few shots of the dense trees covering part of the trail. It always gives spooky vibes and you love it so much that you take a photo every time you hike up there.

You climb up the large rock outside the wooded area, your feet dangling off the edge while you point out your Jeep in the lot down below.

Ryan follows you but stands. He turns to take in what he could see from there. It isn’t much with the mountain blocking half the view.

“We’re about halfway from here,” you say. “Not sure we’ll get much of a view if these clouds keep comin’ in.”

“We’ll know when we get up there,” he says matter of factly, hopping off the rock. He holds his hand out to you.

You take it and slip off the rock, waiting until you’re steady before slipping your hand out of his. You flex your fingers before stuffing them in your jacket pocket.

The rest of the hike is quiet except for the occasional greeting from other hikers.

The wind kicks up when you stand at the top of the mountain. Despite the clouds, you can see the mountain range all around – though not quite as far on a clear day.

You put your hood up to keep your hair out of your face as best as you can. You lead Ryan toward the collection of boulders off the path. You take a seat and watch Ryan study the view. He steps a few paces away, tucking his hands in his jean pockets.

He looks at you when he hears your shutter go off, a cheeky smile on your face.

“I had to. Looked like an album cover.” You walk over and show him the picture. “Maybe for the next one, yeah?”

Ryan’s eyes are bright. “Maybe.”

You lick your lips and chew on the lower one. “There’s a bit more we can walk if you want. It takes us over there to the other peak.”

“This is fine. It’s nice here and if it rains, we won’t have as far to run.”

“Well, I’m gonna step over there to take some photos. Let me know when you’re good to head back down.”

Ryan nods and looks back at the view.

You pause to stare at him as you walk away. You appreciate how content he is to stand on that mountain and look out across the land. You’re glad he wanted to come.

As predicted, it starts sprinkling when you two head back to the car. Thankfully, it holds off long enough for you to take cover in the wooded area. You and Ryan stand near the exit and watch the rain come down.

“We’ll go when it slows,” you say.

Ryan leans against the tree you’re standing by, crossing his arms over his chest. “There anyplace good to eat ‘round here?”

You look at him. “Not really. Not until we get back to town. You gettin’ hungry?”

“Figured since you took me up here, I could buy you lunch.”

“Um... You don’t have to– I can buy. Don’t use your money on me.”

“I’ve got plenty, Y/N. Been savin’ a little since I decided to come back. I’m gettin’ your lunch, ‘kay?”

“Okay, I guess.”

“Anything you want?”

You look down at your feet. “There’s a great barbeque place in Johnson CIty you should try. We can get Georgie if you want.”

“Nah. Let it be just you and me.”

“Oh. Okay. Yeah.” You suppress the gleeful smile trying to appear. “That sounds... fun.”

Ryan surveys the last leg of the hike, but you keep staring at him in what you would call awe – not too different from how you already look at him.

“I think it’s slowin’ down,” he says. “Got that camera of yours safe?”

You tuck it under your jacket and give him a breathy “yeah.” He smirks and both of you start walking.

–––––

You take Ryan to a little restaurant called The Firehouse – built inside an old firehouse. You tell him a few stories about going there as a kid and how the firetruck inside is used in parades. He listens, nodding where he should and smiling the entire time.

Lunch went well considering you were nervous and fighting with yourself about whether it was a date or not. You were leaning on not until Ryan refused to let you open your car door. But it wasn’t just that. He continued to be a gentleman more than usual when you got back to your apartment. And before he walked inside, he left a short kiss on your forehead.

You’ve been in your head since.

Georgie knocks on your bedroom doorframe before walking in. He sits next to you on your bed. “Good day so far?”

You nod.

“What’s up? Ryan’s acting strange, too. Did something happen?”

“I don’t know. Do you think it’d be weird if somethin’ did because I’ve only been around Ryan five days with a year of not seein’ him in the middle of that?”

He wraps an arm around your shoulders. “We were pretty close the second day. You two talked to each other more than we ever have between visits.”

“I didn’t like you like I like Ryan, so it was easier to be close to you. Ryan knows I like him. You know, like, I really like him. It’s so different bein’ close to him. Not bad by any means, just different.”

“Just be you, okay? He won’t mind you cuddling with him the next time we watch a movie and he sure as hell won’t mind you kissing him. Don’t worry about it and enjoy him being around.”

You smile at Georgie. “Thanks. You sure you won’t get jealous?”

“Nope. Once I’m better tomorrow, I’ll go find myself a girl. Maybe the one from last year.”

“Which one?”

“Both if I’m lucky.”

“You’re gross, Georgie,” you laugh.

“And you are falling hopelessly for my friend downstairs, so go sit with him. Make sure he knows today wasn’t a fluke. He doesn’t say it, but I know he likes you too.”

“You think so?”

“Would it make you feel better to know I’ve caught him staring at our picture from last year a few times?”

“What?”

He nods. Georgie taps the screen of your phone to see one of the new photos you took that morning, Ryan being the center of it. “Oh, you changed it already. Cute. And a great photo.”

Blushing, you take your phone away from him. “Go get some more rest if you wanna see those girls tomorrow. I’ll call you down for dinner when it’s finished.”

“And you go downstairs” and treat Ryan like me. Except with more feelings.” Georgie kisses your head. “He’d like that.”

You nod and wait for him to disappear into the guest room before you stroll downstairs.

Ryan is lounging back on the couch with the TV on some TV Land show – it looks like The Andy Griffith Show – with a small smile on his lips. If it were Georgie there, you would curl up beside him. With Ryan, you still aren’t sure you can do that. Even if he’s hinted at feeling something toward you, you’re still at a loss. Would lying next to him be too much?

Ryan notices your reflection in the screen and turns, his smile growing. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

It’s quiet. You battle with yourself for a minute, ultimately craving the physical touch of a friend.

It’s like he expects it. As soon as you near the couch, he lifts up his arm resting beside him to silently invite you in its old spot. You take it.

Your head rests on Ryan’s chest, your arm laying there, too. The arm he moved comes to your back to hold you in place. You keep your legs straight, unsure if you should let one lay across his hips. It’s comfortable enough. You were just happy to be near someone.

You close your eyes and sigh. It spurs Ryan to run his hand from your hair to the middle of your back and up again. You get goosebumps all over.

Your fingers play with one of the buttons on Ryan’s shirt to try and divert the nervousness out of your body. His chest vibrates as he silently chuckles at you. He covers your hand with his, stilling it. His hand is so warm and big. You love it.

You fall asleep there. It’s the best nap you’ve had in some time. You’re surprised Ryan is still there when you wake up. You don’t move your legs, which managed to tangle with his in your sleep.

You look up at Ryan after rubbing your eyes. “What time is it?”

“I think somewhere around 5.”

“Sorry I slept so long.” You try to sit up, but you’re way too comfortable.

“Don’t apologize. I was fine here.”

“Has Georgie come down?”

“You two are cute,” the man in question says from the kitchen table. “I nearly puked when I came down here.”

That’s when you sit up, careful not to hurt Ryan. “Don’t be an ass, Georgie. You’re the one who told me to cuddle with Ryan instead of you.”

“Yeah because you were afraid to on your own.”

Ryan sits up too. “I’m right here.”

You smile apologetically. “Sorry.”

“S’okay.” Your heart pounds when his lips turn up the longer he holds your gaze.

“God, just kiss or something.”

Ryan rolls his eyes and lies back down, turning on his side. His hand finds yours. You bite back a grin.

“Won’t happen if you keep buttin’ in, ya know.” You stick your tongue out and rest your chin on the back of the couch. “Maybe I should start hootin’ and hollerin’ when you find your next girl. See how it makes you feel.”

“I won’t care because I probably won’t see her again. You two? You belong together. All it took was that album.”

You groan and finally get off the couch. It’s so easy for you to scratch the top of Ryan’s head as you go by. “If you want dinner, then you should shush about it.”

“Is your boyfriend going to help?” Georgie teases.

“Is there anything you wanna eat, Ryan?” You look past Georgie.

Ryan actually bolts upright, eyes wider than usual and his mouth opened a little. “Uh... What?”

You raise an eyebrow, unsure of what happened.

Georgie cackles and that makes Ryan turn a deep red. “Seems Ryan had something else on his mind.”

You look at Ryan, gauging his reaction. His cheeks are flush and he’s trying to look anywhere but you.

Oh. “I mean food, Ryan. What food do you wanna eat.” He thinks of me like that? Oh, my God. Should I be mad? ... I’m not.

He clears his throat after a failed attempt to speak. “Anything is fine. I’ll eat anything you make.”

Georgie opens his mouth to say something, but you throw your dishrag at him shaking your head. The moment happened and he needs to let it go. Mostly so you can focus on cooking and not what crosses Ryan’s mind.

–––––

Georgie leaves after breakfast the next morning, leaving you and Ryan to do whatever. You choose to clean up the house a little mostly to avoid confronting Ryan.

You’re flattered someone would think of you like that, but the fact it’s Ryan, and he had a thought when you were right there, throws you way off balance. He is such a sweet man, yet he thought about something so... dirty.

You chuckle to yourself. You aren’t squeaky clean, so why should you worry about it? Hell, if you were dating Ryan, you wouldn’t bat an eye. You just weren’t ready to find out something like that crosses his mind.

A soft knock on the doorframe of the bathroom rips you out of your thoughts. You look to see a sheepish Ryan standing there.

“I’m sorry, Y/N. I don’t usually– I didn’t mean to... to think like that. It was inappropriate of me.”

You smile. “It’s okay. I’m not upset or anything. It happens. I think I’m more surprised you thought of me... like that. I’m actually sorta flattered.”

Ryan relaxes. “Flattered? You’re a strange girl.”

“It’s not every day the guy you like has a dirty thought about you.” Your face feels warm and you don’t look at him. His silence makes you wonder if he’s thought of you like that more than once.

“You think we should get together?” he finally asks, his voice hard to hear.

You shrug. “Not sure. Will you still like me next year?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then let’s keep goin’ like this until you know for sure.”

“Will you still like me? There’s a lot of time between now and next year.”

You wrap your arms around his middle and squeeze. “Ryan, I’ve had a crush on you for, what, almost four years now? Five? I don’t think you’ll have to worry about me losin’ interest. Even if you find some pretty girl out West, I’ll still like you.”

“You really are strange,” he says with a smile.

“Yup!” You stand on your toes to kiss his cheek and then you go back to cleaning. You glance at the door after Ryan leaves, hoping that one day his “I don’t know” will change.

–––––

As predicted, the rain cancels the race until next weekend, so you and the guys stay inside and make do with what you have.

Monday comes all too soon for you, as it always does. You wake up with tears in your eyes and can’t go more than five minutes without hugging one of the guys. They take your clinginess with gentle smiles. Georgie says a few words to ease your worry, but it only works for so long.

Georgie sits on your front step with you, arms around each other while Ryan packs up the truck.

“I wish this didn’t have to happen every year,” you mumble. “I know you guys go wherever the roads takes you, but I wish it took you here more.”

He rubs your arm. “We have this discussion every year, Y/N. You’re going to be fine until next year, I promise. We’ll be fine, too. You can call and text us whenever you need to. We’re not leaving you for good. Just for a little while.”

“I know. But can you please see me somewhere in between now and then?”

“I can’t promise anything.”

You nod sadly and look up at Ryan as he comes over. You get on your feet and wrap him up in a hug. It brings a smile to your face when he hugs bag tightly and presses his face into your shoulder.

“Will you come and see me sometime at least? Georgie is bein’ stubborn and won’t come during the year.” You pout when Ryan looks at you. “I can only go so long without seeing your faces.”

Ryan presses his lips to your forehead. “I might come back ‘round here sometime before next year. You never know.”

“Make it sooner rather than later, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Little did you know what Ryan had planned.

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