Page 161 of Hometown Halftime

Chapter sixty-four

Kinsey

The duplex looks wrong and empty.

That’s the first thing I think when I walk out of the bedroom carrying another box toward the front door. Like the time Riley and I shared inside these walls somehow disappeared overnight.

We spent New Year’s Eve tangled together in his bed making love while snow fell outside the windows, talking for hours in the dark between slow kisses and stretches of silence where neither of us wanted to admit time was running out. At some point after midnight, we made love again, slower than ever, like both of us were trying to memorize the other before morning came. Every time I started drifting off, I’d feel Riley’s fingers moving through my hair or his lips pressing against my shoulder, and the ache in my chest would start all over again.

So now I’m exhausted and emotional enough that carrying cardboard boxes somehow feels capable of ruining me completely.

Outside, Lee and Darren load the last of Riley’s things into the bed of Darren’s truck while Knox places one of my boxes into the back of Brynn’s SUV. Somebody’s country playlist drifts softly through the cold air, but even Darren seems unusually subdued today. Nobody’s teasing Riley or making fun of my packing skills.

Brynn passes me in the hallway, carrying one of my bags before slowing beside me.

“Are you okay?”

No, absolutely not. I feel like someone reached into my chest and started pulling things apart with their bare hands. But somehow, I still manage a weak smile.

“Yep.”

Brynn gives me a look that says she’s deeply unconvinced. But she doesn’t ask other questions or try to comfort me, and God, I love her for that.

The entire morning feels surreal. Riley and I moved around each other carefully while packing the last few things, both of us pretending this isn’t breaking our hearts in real time. Every little detail inside the duplex suddenly felt loaded with meaning. His coffee mug beside the sink. My shampoo tucked next to his in the shower upstairs. One of his hoodies hung over the couch cushion where I left it after wearing it, and every time I walked past it, I swear I could smell his cologne.

I want to freeze time so badly it physically hurts. Instead, I forced myself to tape the last box shut with hands that wouldn’t stop shaking.

Outside, Lee slams the truck tailgate shut. “That should be everything.”

Darren nods before glancing back toward the duplex, and his expression softens when he looks at us.

“Need a minute?”

Neither one of us answers.

Then Brynn quietly says, “C’mon, Knox. Let’s wait in the truck.”

Knox hesitates for a second before nodding.

One by one, they all walk outside until the front door finally shuts softly behind them, leaving Riley and me standing alone in the middle of the living room. The silence crashes over me in a horrible wave. I stare down at the floor because if I look at him right now, I will completely fall apart. Riley takes a slow step toward me.

“Kinsey.”

That’s it. Just my name, and suddenly tears are running down my face.

He reaches out and wipes the wetness from my cheeks.

“Fuck, baby.”

I make the mistake of looking at him.

Then his arms are around me and I go willingly, burying my face into his chest while he holds me so tightly that it breaks my heart.

I choke out with a watery laugh. “I really didn’t want to ugly cry today.”

His hand sweeps up and down my back.

“I love you,” he whispers against my hair.