Page 36 of Home Game

I watched him as he filled up a water bottle with filtered water. He was definitely avoiding looking at me.

“So, what time do you get home?”

“I have a late practice today, so I should be home around 5 PM.”

“Okay.”

“Why?”

“Well, I thought if I went out today, it would be good to know what time you got back, so I would have a way back in.”

His blue eyes glanced at me. “You’re going out?”

Now it was my turn to avoid his gaze. “I have something I need to take care of.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

He let out a long breath and then opened a drawer. “Here is a set of keys. The fob is for the elevator. And this is for our apartment. Just make sure you lock it when you leave.”

Our apartment.My eyes flew to his face, wondering if he heard his own words. He dropped the keys on the counter. “Try to eat something, okay?”

“Okay.”

“And if you’re in pain, your meds are right here.” He put my meds beside the keys.

“Thanks, Ryan.”

He finally looked at me. He didn’t look mad or anything. Just concerned. “You going to be okay?”

I nodded. “Totally.”

“You need money?”

I shook my head no.

“What about for the bus?”

Oh right. God. He lived so far away from my job. “I can walk.”

He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and tossed bills on the counter. “Here. If you go any distance, take a cab.”

My eyes stuck on the money. The guy had just tossed sixty dollars on the counter like it was nothing.

“Watch TV, sleep. Have a bath. Eat whatever you want.”

“I’ll pay you back,” I blurted out.

“Zoey.”

“For everything. For the clothes. For this money. For the meds and any food I eat. I’ll make a list.”

Baffled amusement flitted across his face. “Will a list make you feel better?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. But the deal is that you can’t pay me back until you are on your feet, you have a job and you are thriving.”

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