“Tell me about the hotel,” she says.
“So we were going to have to sleep in my truck, like I was planning. But then her dad pulled some strings and paid a lot of money and got a hotel room. It had two separate beds and I figured it was better than sleeping in my truck with her.” My chest constricts as I admit the biggest lie I’ve ever told her. “So I went with her. We stayed in the hotel together, but we had separate beds and we didn’t talk much and I literally ignored her. I just showered and fell asleep.”
Ella stares at me for a long moment. If she’s trying to find a lie in my eyes, she won’t. I’m telling the complete truth. I have nothing to hide about my time with Kennedy.
Ella reaches into her pocket and takes out her phone. She opens Snapchat and then hands it over to me. “This is what she posted online.”
I watch the images, one after another, and my blood begins to boil. When I can’t stand seeing it anymore, I hand the phone back. “I had no idea,” I say. “She did that shit when I was asleep. I swear to you.”
“Okay,” Ella says softly. “I guess I believe you.”
I take a step closer, not daring to reach out to her just yet. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. Please know that I would never cheat on you, Ella. Not in a million years. You’re my girl and you’re all I want.”
“But Kennedy clearly wants you,” Ella says, looking at the ground. “And she’s staying here. And I’m leaving. And she’s not going to stop pursuing you. It’ll only get worse after I leave.”
This was supposed to be a surprise, but I guess now is a better time. “What makes you think I’m staying in Hockley?” I ask as a smile plays on my lips.
She looks up at me. “You’re getting an apartment.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
“Yeah it does,” she says like I’m stupid. “You’re getting an apartment in Hockley and I’m moving to Dallas and we’ll be separate for the next two years. We’ll grow apart and we’ll slip away from each other and you’ll find another girl who is closer to home.”
“Baby, you’re the one who was looking for apartments in Hockley for me. I never said I was moving into them.”
She tilts her head. “What do you mean?”
“Why would I move out of my parent’s house and into a place that costs a lot of money if it’s in the same town? That would be stupid.”
She bites on her lower lip. “I don’t get it.”
“I signed a lease on a place next to your college,” I say. “Three weeks ago.”
Her eyes go wide. “You’re moving to Dallas?”
I grin. “Yes ma’am. If you’re going to Dallas, then I am too.”
“Oh my God!” She throws her arms around my neck and I hold onto her tightly. These last couple hours of being apart was too much. I need her close to me. I need to feel her heart beating against my chest. I kiss the top of her head. “It was supposed to be a surprise,” I say.
She pulls back and playfully punches me in the chest. “I thought you were going to break up with me!”
“Never,” I say. I kiss her and to my great relief, she kisses me back. She takes like popcorn and Dr. Pepper, and it’s the best kiss ever. I missed her so very much. These last two days were absolute hell without my girl by my side.
“I’m never leaving you alone again,” I say as I clutch her tightly to me. “Next time we evacuate, you’re leaving your car. I’ll just buy you a new one to replace it.”
She laughs and tucks her head into my neck as I hold her. We’re standing at the far end of a parking lot in a town we don’t know and I don’t care who sees us.
The only thing that matters is that she forgives me, and we are still together, still the happy couple we’ve always been. I can’t wait to start the next chapter of our lives together.
