Page 73 of The Forever Play

He looks to the floor, all our happy silliness lost as if it never happened. Gripping the back of his neck, he mumbles, “I never meant to hurt you.”

Blinking, I try to rein in my tears. Does he have any idea how much he’s hurting me now?

All I’m wanting him to do is admit how much I mean to him.

Is it that hard to promise me he’ll stay in our lives?

Is it that hard to say, “I love you”?

I thought he came back for me. But maybe he justsaid that to appease me, to soften me when I was making him feel so bad over the way he behaved at Kelsey U.

I don’t know.

Curling my fingers into my onesie, I start to wonder if I should be grateful for his hesitation. Bringing Zander back into my life will no doubt be a complicated mess… and how do I know he’s really changed from the guy he was freshman year?

“Just go, Zander.” My voice quakes. “Go, please.”

He doesn’t move, and I narrow my eyes into a hot glare while pointing toward the front door.

“Leave!” I order him. “I want you to leave. Now.”

CHAPTER 26

ZANDER

My body acts like concrete as I get off the floor and stiffly walk toward the door. I slip my shoes on in the awkward silence, avoiding her sad gaze.

How did we go from teasing each other and tussling to me getting kicked out?

I hate leaving her like this.

Shit, should I even be going?

All she’s asking for is a little commitment.

A little? She’s asking for a lifelong promise.

Can I honestly give that to her?

My future is up in the air as I wait to find out if the pros want me. Coach Jones says I’ve got a shot, but there are no guarantees.

What if it doesn’t come through? I don’t even know what I’m going to do with myself.

But what if it does come through?

Can I expect Sienna to drag Zoey around after me? I don’t exactly have a say on where I play.

The door clicks shut behind me, and I don’t bother looking back.

I clomp down her front path, the cold night air biting at me. I forgot my jacket.

Fuck it. I’ll get it another time.

Because I will see her again.

It’s just a matter of how.

As a friend?

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