He rushed over to Rileys townhouse and found the front door partially open.
He charged inside and saw what was going on.
A man was attacking April, Rileys daughter. The man had thrown April on the floor, and she was squirming and twisting, beating him with her fists.
Blaine rushed toward them and pulled the attacker off April. He struggled with the man, trying to subdue him.
Blaine was taller than the attacker, but not stronger, and not nearly as agile.
He kept swinging his fists at the man, but most of his blows missed, and the ones that connected made no apparent impact.
Suddenly, the man landed a crashing punch to Blaines abdomen. The wind exploded out of Blaines lungs. He buckled over and couldnt breathe.
Then the attacker delivered a swift kick to his face
and the world went black.
The next thing Blaine knew, he was in the hospital.
And now, as he was approaching Riley, Blaine was shaking a little from the memory.
He tried to steady himself.
When he reached Riley, he didnt know what to do. Shaking hands seemed a bit ridiculous. Should he give her a hug?
He saw that Rileys face was red with embarrassment. She didnt seem to know what to do either.
Hi, Blaine, Riley said.
Hi.
They stood there staring at each other for a moment, then laughed a little at their own awkwardness.
Both of our girls are playing well today, Riley said.
Yours especially, Blaine said.
Aprils goal early in the game had really impressed him.
Are you here with anybody? Riley asked.
No. And you?
Just Jilly, Riley said. You dont know her, I guess. Jilly is well, its a long story.
Blaine nodded.
Ive heard about Jilly from my daughter, he said. Adopting her is really a great thing to do.
Blaine remembered something else Crystal had told him. Riley was trying to get back together with Ryan. Blaine wondered how that was going. Ryan wasnt here at the game, anyway.
Rather shyly, Riley said, Listen, were sitting up in the back of the stands. Weve got some extra room. Would you like to watch the rest of the game with us?
Blaine smiled.
Id like that, he said.
They made their way to the bleachers and climbed up to the back. A thin young girl smiled as she saw Riley approach. But she didnt look happy when she noticed that Blaine was with her.
Jilly, this is my friend Blaine, Riley said.
Without saying a word, Jilly got up from the bench and started to walk away.
Sit with us, Jilly, Riley said.
Im going to sit with my friends, Jilly said, pushing past them and continuing down the stairs. They can squeeze me in.
Riley looked shocked and dismayed.
Im sorry, she said to Blaine. That was very rude.
Its OK, Blaine said.
Riley sighed as they both sat down.
No, its not OK, she said. A whole lot of things arent OK. Jillys mad because Im sitting with someone whos not Ryan. He had moved back in with us, and shed gotten very attached to him.
Riley shook her head.
Now Ryans moving out again, she said. I havent had a chance to tell the girls yet. Or maybe I just havent found the nerve. Theyre both going to be crushed.
Blaine felt a little relieved that Ryan wasnt in the picture. He had met Rileys handsome ex-husband a couple of times, and the mans arrogance had put him off. Besides that, he had to admit, he was hoping that Riley was free of romantic relationships.
But he felt also guilty for reacting that way.
The game quickly started again. Both April and Crystal were playing well, and Blaine and Riley cheered from time to time.
But through it all, Blaine kept thinking about the last time hed seen Riley. It was soon after he returned home from the hospital. Hed knocked on her door to tell her that he and Crystal were moving away. Blaine had given Riley a lame excuse. Hed said that the townhouse was too far from the restaurant that he owned and managed.
Hed also tried to make it sound like the move was no big deal.
Itll be like nothing has changed, hed told her.
It wasnt true, of course, and Riley hadnt bought it.
Shed been visibly displeased.
This seemed like as good a time as any to broach the subject.
In a hesitant voice, he said, Listen, Riley, Im sorry about how things were the last time I saw you. When I told you we were moving, I mean. I wasnt at my best.
No need to explain anything, Riley said.
But Blaine felt very differently.
He said, Look, I think we both know the reason Crystal and I moved.
Riley shrugged.
Yeah, Riley said. You were scared for your daughters safety. I dont blame you, Blaine. I really dont. You were only being sensible.
Blaine didnt know what to say. Riley was right, of course. Hed been scared for Crystals safety, not his own. He was also scared for Crystals mental well-being. Blaines ex-wife, Phoebe, was an abusive alcoholic, and Crystal was still dealing with the emotional scars of that relationship. She didnt need any new traumas in her life.
Riley knew all about Phoebe. Shed actually rescued Crystal from one of Phoebes drunken rages.
Maybe she really does understand, he thought.
But he couldnt tell how she really felt.
Just then, their daughters team scored another goal. Blaine and Riley clapped and cheered. They watched the game in silence for a few moments.
Then Riley said, Blaine, I admit I was disappointed with you when you moved. Maybe even a little angry. I was wrong. It wasnt fair of me. Im sorry about what happened.
She paused, then continued.
I felt terrible about what happened to you. And guilty. I still do. Blaine, I
For a moment, she seemed to struggle with her thoughts and feelings.
I cant help but feel that I bring danger to everyone who crosses my path. I hate that about my job. I hate that about myself.
Blaine started to object.
Riley, you mustnt
Riley stopped him.
Its true, and we both know it. If I were my neighbor, Id want to move too. At least, as long as I had a teenager in the house.
At that moment, a play went wrong for their daughters team. Blaine and Riley groaned along with the rest of the home crowd.
Blaine was starting to feel somewhat reassured. Riley sincerely didnt seem to hold his moving against him at least not anymore.
Could they reawaken the interest they once had for each other?
Blaine gathered up his nerve and said, Riley, Id love to treat you and your kids to a dinner at my restaurant. You can bring Gabriela too. She and I could swap Central American recipes.
Riley sat quietly for a moment. She looked almost as if she hadnt heard.
Finally she said, I dont think so, Blaine. Things are just too complicated right now. Thanks for asking, though.
Blaine felt a pang of disappointment. Not only was Riley turning him down, but she didnt seem to be leaving any future possibilities open.
But there was nothing to be done about it.
He watched the rest of the game with Riley in silence.
*Riley was still thinking about Blaine over dinner that evening. She wondered if maybe shed made a mistake. Maybe she should have accepted his invitation. She liked him and missed him.