Page 125 of Home Game

“Yeah?”

I opened the door. “Are you okay?”

Ryan sat up in bed. “What’s wrong?”

“I heard a noise. I wanted to make sure you were okay,” I lied. Truth was, I didn’t want to be alone.

“I’m okay.”

“Did you set the alarm?” I asked him again. I had already asked him twice, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself.

There wasn’t a trace of impatience to his voice. “I changed the code, and I set the alarm.”

“What if he comes in here?”

“You worried about that?”

“Maybe.”

“I have a hockey stick under the bed.”

“Really?”

“You want to come sleep in here?”

I didn’t need asking twice. I moved to my side of the bed and climbed in. I snuggled deeper under the covers. Now I felt safe. “Thanks.”

He rolled over onto his side towards me. I could see the outline of his face in the dark. “Are you scared?”

“No.” I lied again. “But I’m worried about you.”

I could see his white teeth flash with a smile. “Thank you. You going to protect me?”

“If I have to.”

“What’s going on with Bianca?”

“What do you mean?”

“How bad are things with her?”

This conversation made me feel uncomfortable. “I don’t know.”

“You know you have the right to stand up for yourself.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means, I don’t want you to take shit from her or anyone else. You’re strong, Zoey. Stronger than anyone I know.”

Not taking shit from people was harder than it sounded. “She’s your PA.”

“Not for long.”

My breath caught in my throat. “You need a PA. She does a lot for you.”

“She put you in danger, and that’s unforgivable.”

Something weird happened inside of me every time Ryan came to my defense. It made me feel wobbly and sad. “Whatever.”

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