Page 169 of Hometown Halftime

That does it, I begin to implode.

A laugh breaks out of me at the same time tears spill down my face, and suddenly I can’t think straight anymore because none of this feels survivable now. I can’t stand the distance, or the careful phone calls. I can’t survive the idea of spending the rest of my life wondering what would’ve happened if I’d fought harder for us.

Brynn’s face fills with alarm when she sees me crying.

“Kinsey?”

I wipe my eyes while staring at Riley’s smile on the television.

“I need him.” I let out a crazed giggle. “Why did I ever think I could get over him?”

Brynn points toward the door.

“Well, go get him.”

My head snaps toward her. “What?”

“Go.” Brynn looks genuinely offended that I'm still standing here. “Why are you still here?”

“Because Pittsburgh is six hours away,” I say. “And because that would be a completely psychotic thing to do.”

Brynn stares at me. “You just cried over a kitten tattoo. Go get your man.”

Around us, people slowly start realizing what’s happening too. A few tables away, Lee nearly chokes on his beer while Darren’s face lights up.

I shoot out from behind the bar so fast I almost trip over a barstool, practically running over to Lee and Darren’s table.

“Where’s he staying?” I demand.

Lee blinks. “What?”

“The combine,” I say frantically. “Where is Riley staying?”

Darren grins. “Holy shit.”

“Darren, talk or you’ll never drink another beer in this town, so help me God.”

“He’s at the Fairmont in Pittsburgh.”

I slap the table. “What room?”

Lee looks scared as he says, “Um, I don’t know.”

I shuffle on my feet, trying to think of a way to find out.

I point at Lee. “Call his mom.”

Lee almost drops his phone in a mad scramble to make the call. We all wait for Riley’s mom to pick up.

“Hey, Mrs. Weston.”

I snap my fingers at him, impatience boiling up inside me.

“So, um, Darren and I wanted to have something delivered to Riley while he’s in Pittsburgh. Do you know what his room number is?”

He nods, says thank you a couple of times, and finally hangs up.

“He’s in room 920.”