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Rex chimes in. “I’ve just been waiting for you to take the reins here, Cole. Say the word and I will go back to my actual career. Did you know that I am a whole-ass pro athlete?”
“I don’t think you can just butt out,” I tell him.
“Brother, you don’t know how badly I want to give up being the asshole that controls everything. I’d way rather you be that asshole.”
I lift my chin. “Let’s say I don’t leave. I can take charge. But if I stay–.”
“Then you have to apologize to Sav for whatever your stupid ass did or said that drove her away,” River supplies. “That’s literally why we corralled you onto this ship, dude.”
“So what did you do, son?” My dad leans forward and squints at me. “Did you tell her something dumb?”
Rex cups his hands around his mouth and calls, “Did you tell Savannah that you’re not bonkers in the tonkers for her?”
“No.” I push my cheek out with my tongue. “But I might have said that I couldn’t promise her anything more than what we had, though.”
“Ooof.” River screws up his face. “That’s brutal.”
“Yeah,” I tell him. “That’s what I’m saying.”
Dad gives me a long look. “I think you’re running.”
“Yeah, I’m trying to escape from all the terrible shit that’s happened in this town.”
“Cut the bullshit, son. You aren’t running from Holly. Or to a job opportunity. You’re running because Savannah loves you and you love her. And you are worried that if you have the chance to be happy… you might screw it up.” He crosses his arms. “Go on. Tell me I’m wrong.”
My mouth goes dry. I feel like I’m stripped and hogtied, awaiting something terrible to happen to me. My knee starts bouncing up and down. “I… am not sure…”
“God, Dad’s right.” Rex whistles. “Look at Cole squirm.”
River smirks and elbows Rex. “I think you’ve got it.”
“You’re dicks. All of you.” I pull a face.
“I’m just waiting for you to say it,” my dad announces. “It’ll be easier for you if you just say it aloud, right here.”
I know exactly what Dad’s trying to get me to say, but I play stupid. “Say what?”
“Stop being as dumb as a bag of hammers and say that you love Savannah!” Rex shouts.
“Err…”
“I. Love. Savannah. Say it with me now…” Dad coaxes.
“I…” I close my eyes. “I do love her, you know.”
“We know!” Rex and Dad say at once.
“Say the phrase so we can move on with our lives,” River jeers.
I scrunch up my face. “I love Savannah?”
Rex cheers. My dad looks satisfied. River purses his lips.
“Fucking finally,” he says.
“What?” I ask, feeling my neck growing hot.
“You’re a real dickhole sometimes,” Rex announces. “An absolute ass-munch.”
