"What are you watching?" I asked as I came out of the bathroom.

"Games from last season," he replied as he sat up and pulled me down to the couch, I immediately laid my head on his lap.

"Why?"

"To see how I can improve," he responded, running his hands through my hair and started to massage my scalp, causing me to yawn. "I suggest you sleep, you haven't gotten much sleep the past few nights, and I don't foresee much sleep in our future either."

"I wanted to join the mile high club," I pouted.

I felt his chest move with laughter as his hands continued to play with my hair, "We've got all the time in the world. Sleep now darlin."

*****

"Mila, it's time to wake up." Ryan said softly, I yawned and sat up.

"Are we there yet?"

"The planes already landed and the car is waiting for us." He took my hand and led me out of the Jet. We slid into the back of the SUV and Thomas started to drive away. "That's the place," Ryan said pointing to the posh little boutique.

I stepped out of the SUV and looked at the windows, "Ryan, there's no way I can afford to shop here."

"Mila, I know you're independent and I love that about you, but I make plenty of money," he replied opening the door. I hesitated, before walking in. As Ryan led me to the back I noticed the store was empty.

"Why is there no one here?" I whispered.

"You don't have to whisper here girl!" At that moment a gorgeous woman, who appeared to be just a few years older than Ryan, walked out. Her raven color hair fell midway down her back and was perfect next to her caramel skin. "Normally the store is packed but when Ryan called me a yesterday, I decided to close up for a few hours to help you get everything you need," she said in her thick accent.

"Jordan, this is Mila, my girlfriend," Ryan beamed.

"Nice to meet you." I felt my face go red as I held out my hand.

"It's nice to finally meet you, I feel like I already know you," Jordan exclaimed, wrapping her arms around me for a hug, as I gave her a quizzical look, "Oh, Ryan came over last week for dinner with me and Ray and he would not stop talking about you." It was as if she could hear my thoughts. I looked over at Ryan and saw the heat creeping up his neck. "Come on back to the dressing room and I'll show you what I picked out for you." As I started to follow her back, I felt Ryan behind me just as Jordan turned around. "Nuh uh, no men are allowed in my dressing rooms. You can sit in the lounge," she insisted, pointing to the lounge on the other side of the side of the store. I couldn't help but laugh as Ryan looked at me with puppy dog eyes.

"What if she needs zipped up?" Ryan asked.

"Then I'll zip her up," Jordan chirped.

"Baby, you're great at helping me take my clothes off, not at helping me put them back on," I couldn't help but let out a giggle when Jordan rolled her eyes as Ryan sauntered off, knowing he had been defeated. Jordan led me behind the curtain; I was shocked to see all the clothes that were hanging in the back ready for me to try on. "They're all your size, go ahead take a look at the racks and tell me what you like," she said ushering me over.

"How did you know my size?"

She just gave me a sly smile. "So tell me what you're looking for."

"I honestly have no clue, I don't even know how I'm here, it all just happened to fast," I replied slumping onto the chaise, I felt defeated admitting it out loud.

"Do you love him?" she asked with a slight frown. Is love what I've been feeling? I thought to myself. I felt the smile creep onto my face, as I thought about the past few days. "You don't even have to answer girl, it's written all over your face, even if you haven't admitted it to yourself," she replied with a smile.

"I do love him," I said aloud.

Jordan came over and sat beside me, "Love is what you're doing here. Love is crazy and makes us do things that we never thought we could do. And girl, it's about time Ryan found a woman who is crazy about him. Now what do you like and what do you not like? What do you wear daily?"

"I'm mostly a shorts and tshirt girl, maybe a sundress here or there," I replied

"That won't do honey."

I pulled out the only thing that looked like me; a black romper, it had shorts, long sleeves that were off the shoulder and was lace all over. "I really like this."

"Try it on," I started to undress and put it on when she started to talk again. "Let me help you and you'll do fine. I'm going to tell you a few secrets that no one told me when Ray went into the NFL. The wives are a fickle bunch. Most girlfriends don't last long, so they don't associate with girlfriends unless they've been around a long time. I love it," she said as I walked out, she handed me another outfit and continued. "They will treat you better if you dress right and play the part. I know, it's not right but that's how it is."

"I love this one," I said walking in a skin tight gold sequined dress. It stopped midthigh, it had long sleeves and again was backless.

"That does look great!" she chirped and handed me another dress, "The other girls are already going to be jealous of you."

"Why?" I asked.

"You and Ryan have been together less than a week and you're already invited to a team event."

"I take it that's odd." I said picking out another romper.

"Very. It's an unspoken rule that you don't invite someone to a team event for several months. Games are one thing, there's no paparazzi, but team events are another level. The wives don't associate with the girlfriends until you're engaged, married or pregnant, unless you're a baby mama," Jordan said with a laugh.

"I don't understand why you're helping me then."

"Because I was like you once. I've been with Ray since I we were 19, not that any of the wives knew that. Once they found out they were nicer to me, but they didn't find out until Ray proposed two years later. And because I've heard the way Ryan talks about you. You're not a fling, you're his touchdown." I came out in my clothes and sat down next to her on the chaise, trying to absorb all the information. "Just stick with me and you'll be fine. The others will come around once they see it's real. They'll realize how much better you are than the cleat chaser!"

"Brooke? By the way how did they meet?"

"Ugh, don't even say that bitch's name around me! He met the bitch through Ava, Brooke's older sister who is married to David, the wide receiver. Ava is a veteran wife, she brought Brooke to a team party and introduced them, Ava insisted Ryan take Brooke out, at first he refused. He didn't want to cause the team any drama like what's going to happen this season when you and Brooke are both at a game or an event. Then Brooke showed up at every event and followed Ryan around until he finally caved and agreed to take her out. She was only interested in the money and fame, literally the worst kind of cleat chaser."

"I didn't even think about both of us being somewhere."

"Ya'll almost done? It's been over an hour," Ryan said coming through the curtain.

"Beauty takes time," Jordan replied, "Make sure you wear a pair of heels to bowling night. I'll make sure to send an assortment of shoes over."

"How can I bowl in heels," I asked suddenly confused.

"Babe, you aren't bowling, people bid at a charity auction and the winners will be bowling with a team member one on one," Ryan stated.

"Sweetie we show up and look pretty, get a few pictures taken. Then we go into a room with the other wives, we eat and drink and socialize, and let the men do their thing."

"We'll go bowling on our own," Ryan said with a chuckle.

"Jordan, just send everything you picked out, and some lingerie too," Ryan said with a smirk, "Oh, and send some of those customized jerseys, you know the ones with diamonds that have the guys names and number. We're gonna need several of those, and other team stuff for the games if you don't care."

"Don't worry hun, I've got you covered, I'll have it sent to your place tonight."

"We'll see you Friday," Ryan shouted behind him as we walked out, my fingers laced in his.