I shook my head. “No. I’d be lying if I said she wasn’t a big part of it, but there's a lot more to it. I need to be near my people—my family.”
Dallas splayed his hand over his chest in mock surprise. “Do my ears deceive me, or did you just admit that you need us?”
I tossed a wadded up sock at him.
“I hope that was clean,” he said when it bounced off his head.
“It wasn’t.”
He laughed and threw it back at me. “Seriously, man, I think this is a big step.”
“It feels like one,” I admitted. “Even though the gang has started going their separate ways, Nashville is still home base for everyone. I’m tired of living on an island. I want to be nearby.”
“I’m glad.” He gave me a faint smile. “That way I can be just a few minutes away the next time I need to come beat down your door.”
“Well, I appreciate it,” I said, closing the large suitcase and zipping it. “But you won’t need to do that again.”
He arched a brow at me.
“I’m gonna make sure you and Katie have a key. Derek and Jo too,” I explained. “I’ve kept myself locked away for years and look where it got me. I think it’s time I keep some doors open for a change.”
He put a hand on my arm and gave it a squeeze. “I’m proud of you, brother.”
“Is it weird if I say that I’m proud of myself too?” I asked with a laugh.
“Nah,” he replied with a grin. “I think that’s calledgrowth.”
I chuckled. “What a concept.”
“So, do you think Darcey Dubois, the realtor extraordinaire, will be able to convince the owner of the hobbit house to sell?” he asked.
My chest constricted when he referred to the place by the nickname McKenzie had given it.
“I hope so. I pretty much told her I could pay whatever they wanted in cash,” I said. “But if not, that’s okay. I’ll find something else. At any rate, I have the rental till the end of next month. That gives me some time to figure it out.”
“I know that place is special to you.”
I shrugged. “It is, but it’s special because of the memories. I’ll take those with me wherever I go. Speaking of going, are you ready to get out of here? We need to get on the road so I can meet Darcey to pick up that extra key.”
“You bet,” he said, rising to his feet, tucking Emilia under his arm. “You got everything?”
“Everything I care about,” I said. “The movers can get the rest when the time comes.”
“You don’t think you’ll come back?” he asked as we padded into the living room where my other two bags and guitar were waiting to be loaded into the car.
“I know I won’t. I’m dropping my key off with a realtor Darcey knows in the area on the way out of town so they can get it on the market.”
I took a breath and glanced around.
“Do you want me to give you a minute?” he asked.
“No,” I answered. “I think me and this place have done all we can for each other. All that’s left to do is go.”
“Then let’s do it,” he said, gripping the handle of one of my suitcases and rolling it toward the door.
I dug my keys out of my jacket pocket and followed behind, grabbing the rest of my stuff. Once I’d moved everything to the front stoop, I pulled the door closed and turned my key in the lock one last time. It was the place that held me when I thought I had nowhere else to go. But I didn’t need it anymore.
Dallas clapped his hand over my shoulder. “Ready to go home?”
