My Book Boyfriend - Revisiting Ryan

My Book Boyfriend is by the awesome blogger Missie at The Unread Reader.   What is My Book Boyfriend you might ask.  Well it is a weekly meme where we talk about a literary crush including stats, a picture of what you imagine he looks like and some quotes from him that make you swoon.  If you are interested in participating please check out Missie blog The Unread Reader. 

This week I am revisiting one of my favourite book boyfriends Ryan from Raw Blue as part of Kirsty Eagar Week.  You can check out my original post here.  What I love about Ryan (also known as Rhino) is that he doesn't give up on Carly no matter.  He is a genuine good guy who has had made mistakes but at least he learnt from them.  So here is one of my favourite passages from Raw Blue with Ryan.

'No, I mean there's bad things that don't matter and there're some things that really matter.'

His eyebrows twitch.  'You're a weird fish, you know that?'

'I'm not a fish.'

'Dunno about that, you spend a lot of time in the water.'

I start laughing but it turns into a sob.  And just like that I start to unpeel.  It's caught me by surprise.

Straightaway, Ryan's looking at me and there's nowhere to hide.  'What's up?'

'Nothing.  I'm sorry.  This is embarrassing.  I'm going.'

'No need to go.  You cry if you want.  Doesn't bother me.'

After a bit, I say, 'It's just hard.'

'Crying?'

I laugh, then sniff. 'No, this.  I'm not very good with people.  And I don't know you.'

'Yeah, you mentioned that.  Isn't that what we're doing now?  Letting you get to know me?

'Yeah, but....'

'We're not getting married mate.'

I swallow,  When I'm sure I'll be able to keep my voice steady, I say, 'Don't make me feel like an idiot.  Every time I talk to you I come off feeling like an idiot.  I mean you must think I 'm insane.  And I'm not - not normally.  I'm just this tired and I don't know -'
'Shh.'
His eyes are looking all the way into me.  Fora  moment we stare at each other then he looks back at the ocean and I watch the two boys making turtlebacks.  I don't make any noise but the tears are streaming down my face.  I can sense Ryan occasionally looking sideways to check on me.  Something about the two boys reminds of me Danny.  The look so innocent, so happy and free.  Then my crying turns into sobs, which is really crossing the line, I have to say.  It's just so ridiculous. I'm in the middle of a crowd on Dee Why Point, watching the biggest surf Sydney's seen for years with a guy I shouldn't be anywhere near, having some sort of breakdown.
I bury my face in my hands.  And then Ryan does such a nice thing.  He wraps his arms around my shoulders and pulls me against him.  I can feel his body heat through his cotton T-shirt, and directly in front of me are the worn, faded knees of his jeans.  But most of all I can smell him.  And he smells sandy-warm, like a beach.   No one can see my face in there protected by his chest.  Which is good because I can't stop crying.  I mean, I'm really going for the world record in terms of an inappropriate public breakdown.  But it doesn't matter, it just doesn't matter.  I'm sheltered.

What do you think of Ryan?

Have you read Raw Blue?  If not, don't forget to enter to win a signed copy.  Open internationally.  Also make sure you visit the other blogs on the schedule for more chances to win.

Thanks to Missie for hosting this meme.  And no Missie Ryan is not yours ;)