Page 127 of Home Game

“Everyone needs a dream.”

“What’s your dream?”

I thought he’d laugh when I asked him but instead, he took my question seriously. “I want to stay in Vancouver.”

That shocked me. “Why would you leave?”

“It’s not up to me.”

“Who’s it up to?”

“The GM.”

I couldn’t imagine Vancouver without Ryan. The thought scared me. He was literally my only real friend. “I want you to stay too.”

I wanted to ask him to cuddle me, but I was scared he’d say no.

“Night, Ryan.”

“Night.”

I wokeup to the buzz of a drill. The bed was empty. In the living room, a man in gray coveralls worked on the lock and Ryan sat at the island reading.

“What’s going on?” I moved to the coffeemaker and poured myself a cup of coffee.

“Getting the locks changed.”

“How come?”

“Just thought it was a smart thing to do.”

The man in the coveralls put his tools away. “I’m all done.”

I watched as he handed Ryan three keys and then he left.

Ryan locked the door and looked at me. “I’m going to shower, you okay?”

“I’m okay,” I lied.

“I’ll just be ten minutes, okay?”

“Okay.”

Ryan disappeared into the bedroom, so I focused on cleaning the already clean kitchen.

I heard someone at the door, but the door didn’t open. Then a knock.

With my heart in my throat, I walked to the door. “Who’s there?”

“Bianca.”

I swung the door open. She pushed her way past me. “Why doesn’t my key work in the door?”

“Ryan had the locks changed.”

She glared at me. “Why?”

I shrugged, not wanting to get into it.

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