Page 155 of Really Truly Yours

I feel my enthusiasm circle the drain. I want to go home.

But before I can return to my world, this night has to be faced. I leave the bathroom and spy Gray slipping out the main door. I excuse my way across the room and enter the corridor.

A hundred feet from me, there he is in front of an elevator bank with the woman from before. Their backs are to me, and the woman swings their joined hands. She lifts to her toes, he whispers against her smiling cheek, and…

Kisses her?

The elevator dings, and they walk into the box. Gray pushes a button and the doors slide shut.

I wobble on my wedge heels. I spin to duck through the already open door but bump into a man. “Excuse me.”

The man neither answers nor moves aside. “Everything alright, Sydnee?”

Tripp. I nod emphatically but look up and read disbelief in his eyes.

I know. I am a horrible liar.

“Avery asked me to find you. We saved you a seat outside.”

“Thanks.” Fast filling with tears, my eyes dart. “I need some water first.” I zip to the table and retrieve an iced bottle, the other lost, probably in the bathroom. Right now, anything I swallow will come back on me, but Tripp has these eyes, this way about him, that sees everything, so I needed a moment.

I pray he won’t say anything. Not here.

He follows me outside where the crowd noise instantly makes my ears and head hurt. He waits for me to enter the row first. I step around Avery. Annalise greets me, all smiles.

My phone vibrates in my hand.

Gray: Sorry, had to run. See you after.

After what, exactly?

Sydnee…

I power it down and shove it into my purse. I stand for the national anthem and put my hand over my heart.

The first pitch is thrown. I cheer when appropriate, but my enthusiasm is gone. My stomach burns with its old, familiar feeling. All I want is to be home. In my own bed. In my world.

Yes, I’ve clung to the Walkers tonight, but the Smiths have kept their distance. I can guess what it means.

No matter any longer.

The game drags. Finally, the ninth inning is up next, and it looks like there will be a game seven. I paste on yet another fake smile when Avery turns to me.

“Tripp and I are heading out.” She lays her hand on the team t-shirt stretched across her belly. Her eyes are tired.

“Are you okay?”

She shrugs. “I guess. I get exhausted easily these days.”

I snatch my purse from the concrete. “Can I come with you?”

Furrows line her brow. “But Gray—”

“I’ll text him.” Or not. “Truthfully, my stomach has been upset all evening, and he told me he’d still be a while once this is over.” He gave me instructions early in the night for where to meet him, warning timing could vary widely depending on the outcome. Regardless, I’m not up for waiting.

I’m not up for him.

Talk to him, Sydnee…

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