Page 80 of Home Game

“Zoey, I should have called and let you know where I was.”

She lifted her head and looked at me. “Were you on a date?”

Where did she come up with this stuff? “No. I was just watching a game in some bar.”

“Are you mad at me?”

“No.”

“Is this your way of telling me you need me to move out?”

“Not even close.”

She sighed and laid her head back against my chest. “Are you drunk?”

“A bit.”

“Okay.”

We sat there for a long time. It alarmed me how much I enjoyed just holding her.

“I have a game tomorrow night. Do you want to come and cheer me on?”

She didn’t lift her head. “Yes.”

“Are you going to wear my jersey?”

“Yup.”

“Are we good?”

She lifted her head. “I have your bathroom all planned out.”

I smiled. “For our IKEA date?”

“What do you think of a blue-toned bathroom?”

God that mouth. Those lips.

“I think if the bathroom looks half as good as your room, it's going to look amazing.”

“I already picked out what I’m going to eat for dinner at IKEA.”

Why was she so damn cute?

“I honestly can’t wait.” And that was the truth.

We looked at each other.

“Zoey, no more talk about you leaving, okay?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Only if you promise to be straight with me when you want me gone.”

“What do you think I will do? Come home one day and tell you to get out?”

She swallowed. “Yes.”

What could I say to reassure her? “Zoey, when we think you’re thriving, we’ll go out together and find you a place to live. And there will be no surprises.”

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