Hiding in Plain Sight (Jon)

Soundtrack


I fixed the collar on my navy, button-down shirt as I watched Adam approach me from across Seabs living room.
I tensed my body, ready for the attack that I knew was coming. He knew, I could see it in his eyes as soon as he came through the door. Licking my lips I tried to wipe the grin off my face; feeling revolt wash up inside me - but it didn‘t last long.
Inside I was dancing for happiness; that look of hurt on his face could only mean one thing - Ryker ended it. Ryker wanted me. That also meant that she didn’t want Adam; that Adam was in pain. This should have made me feel bad, but it didn’t - nothing could stop the feeling of sheer joy that was over powering every other emotion in me.
Adam’s eyes were locked on mine; his body moved with purpose and determination as he closed the gap between us.
I lifted my chin, trying to make myself appear tall, unafraid, in control. “Did you hear?” He asked, his voice gruff.

“Hear what?” I asked, my controlled demeanour coming unravelled as his bulking form towered over me.

“Amber left Patrick.” He said simply, glancing over my shoulder. “He’s having a hard time with it so… I’m not sure what to do. He’s coming though… don’t say anything unless he brings it up.” I nodded slowly, unable to believe the strange turn of events.

“Umm… anything else… that I should know about?” I asked gradually, unsure of whether or not Adam’s lack of clue was good or bad.

“Ah, no… not that I know of…” He trailed off as Sharpie reached us. “What’s up man?”

I turned around to greet Patrick; he looked like shit. “Notta. You guys ready to go?” I nodded slowly, not taking my eyes off of him. Sharpie rarely talked about Amber at all, but we knew he cared about her a lot; if anyone questioned it before, they wouldn’t now.
At first it felt like some kind of eerie warning; like I was getting a glimpse of what would happen to Adam if I didn’t back off for good. Then I felt like an asshole for assuming that everything was revolving around me.
Sighing I followed the boys out of the house; hopping into my own car and taking off - Kaner riding shotgun. “So…?” He asked after we drove in silence for a few minutes.

“So what?”

“Aren’t you gonna tell me what happened with Ryker last night?” I groaned as we pulled up to a red light.

“Nothing happened… why would you think-”

“Look Jon… don’t lie to me, ok? I saw her take off after you and then when she came back she only stayed for like, 5 minutes before she left again... on her own.” He studied me for a minute, as I let this new information digest. “So… what happened?”

“I told her that I liked her.” I shrugged, easing on the gas as the light changed to green.

“Oh. What did she say?”

“She said that she liked me too.”

He let out a low whistle, before slapping my shoulder. “Well that’s good right? You like her, she likes you…”

“Pat.” I sighed, stopping his rant before it could begin. “It’s not a good thing. I also told her that we couldn’t do anything about it and… she said she already knew that so… it’s done.”

Pat started to chuckle, causing a stab of anger to flow through me. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing… you just sound like you actually believe that.”

I rolled my eyes as I snapped at him. “I do mean it. Now drop it.”

“We’ll see.” He mumbled under his breath as we pulled into the arena parking lot. “We’ll see…”


Like always, Ryker wasn’t hard to pick out; surprisingly enough, it wasn’t because she didn’t fit in. She was wearing a short, white, baggy dress adorned with some long beaded necklaces and matching bracelets - she looked perfect, picturesque.
Her hair was flowing freely down her back, swaying gently as she danced back and forth on her feet; trying to stay warm as she waited for me. No - not for me - for Adam.
He grinned as he pulled her against his side roughly; leading her into the back-door of the arena. I watched them go, trying not to let any emotion show on my face.
Really, what had I expected? I was the one who told her, just last night, that this could never happen - so why did I still hope that she would be waiting here for me? Because hope is irrational… I sighed to myself, following Kaner and Lola through the door.


“Alright Jon and Patrick, I’m gonna need you two over here…” Coach Q called at Kaner and I. We both got up from the table we had been occupying, to follow him down the hallway. “So, all the people that are arriving, are going to be arriving into the banquet hall to meet the other guys. I need you two to do the radio interview first though… then you can join them, ok?”

We both nodded as we followed him towards the radio booth that had been set up in one of the back hallways.
We took my time through the questions, in no real hurry to get back to the charity event. Sure, raising money for kids in the community was a great cause, but it was hurting a lot to watch Adam fawn all over Ryker.


“Jon! Jon, over here!” I turned around to see Seabs yelling at me as I came back in to the banquet hall. I wandered towards him, wondering how much longer I was going to have to stay here for.

“What do you need?” I asked him nonchalantly once I reached him.

“Burs had to go do his media stuff with Sharpie, I was suppose to be keeping Ryker company but… there’s these chicks over there and…” He grimaced at me, half-begging me with his eyes. Sighing, I nodded, searching the room for Ryker as I did so.

Seabs had left her standing against the wall by herself; she was completely alone, and that worried me. I was a pretty decent guy - or at least I thought so, before this whole Ryker/Adam thing - but I still didn’t trust myself alone with her.
Inhaling deeply and trying to get a hold on my nervous; I headed towards her. “Hey…” I said quietly as I leaned against the wall, beside her.

“Hey. You’ve come to baby-sit then?” She asked with a chuckle, nodding across the room to where Adam and Sharpie were talking into microphones.

“Looks that way…” I said, giving her a weak smile. “Having a good time at least?”

“Yah… I feel a little awkward but, it’s been alright… the rest of your team seems really nice.” We smiled at each other for a minute, before we both looked away, each of us blushing slightly.

I grabbed two glasses of champagne from the tray of a server, as he passed us.
Turning back around, I handed one to Ryker, motioning for her to follow me. I lead her to an empty table in the corner, pulling out the chair for her before I grabbed the other seat for myself. “So… I hope that I didn’t make things awkward for you and Adam last night. It wasn’t my placed to say anything, and I just want you to know that I’m sorry…” I didn’t look up at her as I spoke, watching the tiny bubbles in the amber liquid instead.

“You didn’t ruin anything Jon… I didn’t tell him what happened - actually, he didn’t even ask so… no problems.” She sighed softly, looking up from her lap to face me. “I wish things had of worked out differently… I really do. “

She gave me a sad smile as we stared at each other. I watched despondency flash through her perfect emerald eyes as a single clump of hair fell in front of her face. I reached out automatically, brushing my finger across her forehead as I swept it back into place behind her ear.
My hand lingered, painfully close to her face, before I folded it back in my lap; leaning away from her. “I think it might be better if I don’t spend too much time around you anymore… you have an amazing ability to break down my resolution.” I breathed softly, watching her sip at her drink, casually.

She raised her delicate eyebrows, smiling slightly as she reached into my lap, resting her hand on top of mine. “You don’t have to do that… I’ll just… spend some more time away; you shouldn’t have to change anything because of me…”
She pulled her hand back, standing up and taking her last sip of champagne. I looked up, feeling someone’s eyes on me. I turned to my right to find Adam through the crowd; his eyes mingled with uncertainty and reservation. I adverted my eyes quickly, not wanting to betray anything; trying to find some way to hide while in plain sight. “See ya around Jon…” Ryker said in a daze, giving me a weak grin. I nodded, understanding what she was really saying; goodbye.