Page 149 of Home Game

Which is exactly what my mom was talking about.

What I didn’t want was to push her out into the world. And I couldn’t imagine how lonely life would be without her in mine.

My voice sounded raw to my own ears. “I’m crazy about her, mom.”

There. I said it. The truth of the matter was out in front of me, and it didn’t help me one fucking bit. Because I knew it would only make everything else that much harder.

“Then give her what she needs, Ryan.”

“Tell me what that is.”

“She needs to be successfully independent.”

Except that. I didn’t want to hear that.

“What if she doesn’t want to come back?”

My mom’s smile was sad. “Then you need to be happy for her.”

“Do you think she will?”

“I think she will not feel confident leaving your side, so be gentle and encouraging.”

CHAPTER 30

ZOEY

“I love your mom,”I sank onto the couch beside Ryan. We had just dropped his mom off at the airport. And now, we were finally alone.

All day I had been floating on a cloud as I anticipated what would happen tonight after his mom left. I wanted to give my virginity to Ryan. And I knew it would be glorious.

Ryan sat beside me, staring straight ahead. “We have to talk.”

“Okay.”

He looked over at me, and there was a sadness to him. “You need to move out.”

Shock rippled through my body. “What?”

“Krista will help you look for an apartment.”

Coldness washed over my body. “You want me to move out?”

He rubbed his face with his hands. “It’s the right thing to do.”

It was a horrible moment. It felt like the entire world moved one way and my body was moving the other way. I felt off balance. Scared. Unsure and hurt. “Is it because we fooled around?”

“If you stay here, I will sleep with you.”

I looked around, unseeing anything but the haze of shock and pain in front of my eyes. “Did I do something wrong last night?”

“No, you were perfect.”

I gave a wet sniff and realized that I was crying. “You don’t want me in your life.”

“Not true.”

“You don’t think I’m good enough for you.”

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