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I needed to tell him about Sawyer. I took a deep breath. “There’s a reason I did. I need to tell you something.”

I relayed the whole story, panic settling into Ryan’s features with every word. By the time I finished talking, those pretty eyes were filled with tears.

“I’m so sorry,” I said for the thousandth time that night. “I swear, I’m going to do everything in my power to protect you.”

“I know you will,” Ryan choked. He set his nearly untouched drink aside, taking his glasses off to dry his tears. “I don’t know why I’m surprised to be honest. I shouldn’t be in a town like this.”

“What can I do?” I asked, swallowing against the lump in my throat. Seeing that look in his eyes and knowing I couldn’t do anything about it tore me apart inside.

“Just… hold me,” he whispered. “Hold me like you aren’t scared to break me. We can deal with Sawyer and all his bullshit tomorrow. Right now, I want to enjoy this view with my boyfriend.”

“I think I can manage that.”

Abandoning my wine, I opened my arms up for Ryan, letting him settle on my chest. Hours must have passed without either of us saying anything. The moon rose higher in the sky, and the temperature dropped, but I only reached for an extra blanket. The wind coming off the water sent a shiver down my spine—or maybe that was Ryan’s hand tickling high on my thigh… Either way, we were comfortable. He’d been so quiet for so long, that I wondered if he’d fallen asleep until he started talking.

“I think… I think I need to start thinking about what’s next,” he said softly.

“What do you mean?” My eyes were heavy, and I started to consider the idea of camping out under the stars.

“I…” Ryan took a frustrated breath, struggling to get what he wanted out. “I think it’s time to move back to Miami, but I can’t imagine doing it without you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

I made the mistake of telling Charlie about Miami while she had a mouthful of beer.

“Thanks for that,” I laughed, wiping droplets off my face.

“I’m sorry,” Charlie spluttered, wiping her face with a napkin. “That… that came out of nowhere.”

“You uh… You wouldn’t be mad at me if I went with him?”

“Gene, your dad’s told you before that he doesn’t expect you to run that shop your entire life.”

“I’m not asking about Dad right now, Charlie. I’m asking you. I can’t leave you by yourself.”

“There are plenty of mechanics in the world—even in Hazelbrush. Don’t let me factor into this decision. It’s time to take care of yourself. You’ve spent the last six years doing everything for everyone else. We’re going to be fine. Get out of your parent’s house… get out of the house you shared with Grace!”

“Oh, God,” I groaned. “I didn’t even think about what that could be doing to Ryan.”

Charlie shrugged, bringing her bottle to her mouth again. I’d spent days weighing out each of the decisions I could make. I’d never even ventured more than an hour outside of my hometown, and now I was plotting a move out of state? My chances to get out dropped with the scholarships I turned down, and I never thought I would get another opportunity.

I couldn’t make Ryan stay in a place where he constantly feared for his safety. Trying long distance crossed my mind but ultimately, we knew that this decision would have to be made one way or the other.

My mom was gone, my dad had moved away, and Grace was out of my life for good. Aside from Charlie and the shop, I didn’t have anything else tying me to Hazelbrush. Dad had always told me that my dreams were way too big for that town, and that I was capable of so much more.

Part of me wondered if he’d always known about that culinary scholarship.

Decision made, I left Charlie at The Hole and returned to Ryan, who’d been sleeping off another headache. They were slowly fading in frequency, but getting no less intense. Although I had to wonder if he actually needed me to keep washing his hair—not that I minded.

By the time I made it home, the sun was beginning to set. Curtains drawn, the house had been plunged into darkness. In my bedroom, Ryan snuggled under the blanket, clinging onto one of my hoodies. Trying not to wake him, I toed off my shoes and padded across the floor, slowly dragging the hoodie from his iron grip. He hardly stirred, but tightened his arms around the garment, making me laugh. “You want to trade that out for the real thing?” I whispered.

Beautiful eyes fluttered open at the sound of my voice. “What are you doing home so early?” he slurred.

“It’s dinnertime, love.”

“Ugh, I didn’t intend to sleep that long.”

“You’re healing.” Despite the early hour, I shed my jeans and climbed into bed with him, letting him rest on my chest. “I think we can let a long nap slide.”