Page 71 of One Pucking Surprise
But I can’t read him.
“Zach,” I say, my voice soft but firm as I stop walking.
He turns, his gaze unreadable behind his sunglasses. “Yeah?”
I hesitate, but I know I have to say it. “You don’t have to do this.”
He frowns. “Do what?”
“This,” I say, gesturing between us. “You don’t have to come to appointments or stick around for my sake. If this isn’t what you want… if it’s too much, I’m giving you an out.”
His body goes still, his jaw tightening. For a moment, the silence stretches too long, the tension between us a tangible thing.
“An out,” he repeats, his voice low, almost disbelieving.
The words hang heavy in the air, the weight of them pressing down on both of us.
Chapter 26
Zach
“Yes.I’mofferingyouan out.”
Her words hit me harder than any puck ever has. I stand there, frozen in place, the heat of the August sun beating down on us, but all I can focus on is her voice. Quiet. Determined. Unwavering.
She means it.
She’s giving me an out, a way to step away from this whole situation—the pregnancy, her, everything. And it’s killing me.
“Lainey,” I start, my voice rough, but she shakes her head, cutting me off.
“No, Zach.” Her hand tightens on the strap of her bag, her knuckles going white. “You don’t have to say anything. I just… I need you to know that I can do this on my own if I have to.”
Her words should feel like a relief. Isn’t this what I’ve always wanted? No ties, no complications? But instead, something sharptwists in my chest, something that feels a lot like panic.
“On your own,” I repeat, the words bitter in my mouth. “You think I’d just walk away from this?”
She lifts her chin, meeting my gaze squarely. “I’m saying you don’t have to stay just because you feel guilty. I don’t need you to fix this, Zach. I don’t need you to save me.”
I stare at her, my pulse hammering in my ears. Guilt? Is that what she thinks this is?
“I’m not here out of guilt, Lainey,” I say, the frustration leaking into my tone. “I’m here because this is my responsibility. I’m not going to run away just because things got hard.”
“But responsibility isn’t the same as wanting to be here,” she counters, her voice soft but firm. “And I can’t force you to want this.”
I rake a hand through my hair, the words sticking in my throat. I do want this. Don’t I?
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “Move in with me.”
The words come out before I can second-guess them, and Lainey’s eyes widen in shock.
“Move in with you?” she echoes, her voice filled with disbelief.
“Yeah.”
“Why?” she asks, crossing her arms. “We’re not in a real relationship, or did you forget?”
“It’s practical,” I say, my voice firmer than I feel.
