I knew I couldn’t stay in Texas. My life wasn’t there. I didn’t know how to fix myself, but that didn’t matter. I hopped onto the train and got out of there. Because, the truth was, I didn’t know the answers, I just knew how to find them. And Liam was my answer.
Thirty-Five
Josie kept her promise. Her side of the room was cleared when I entered it the next day. Sighing, I looked around, wondering where to start. The small backpack and two boxes I found at the bookstore wouldn’t be enough, but I went to work anyway, tossing most of it into the boxes without a second thought of messing anything up. Things weren’t important; I had learned that over the last year. I left everything, only bringing the clothes on my back and what I could stuff into my backpack.
All that mattered to me were the people in my life. I wouldn’t risk them again. So, I was giving up on dorm life. Gabby was more than happy to finally have someone in her guest room, and I was ready to get over the anxiety of not knowing who I was living with. This also meant no rules. Liam could come and go as he pleased. That alone was enough to get me packing.
After tossing what few clothing items I had into a single box, I moved to my bedding. The twin- sized sheets, comforter, and pillow filled the entire box. Next up was my safe, which I tucked perfectly hidden in my backpack with my school supplies.
Nostalgia was taking over. Josie may have caused me mental anguish the entire time I lived with her, but this room was so much more. I met Liam here. I fought with him here. Made up, loved, rinse and repeat. All the bad memories were canceled out by him. I gave the room a once-over before closing that chapter in my life. I secretly hoped whoever occupied it after me found everything I had; everything I didn’t know I was looking for. I came here to be alone, to be no one, unrecognizable, but I was leaving with everything.
I threw my belongings into the back of my car before leaving campus. Gabby’s apartment, well, our apartment, was only a ten-minute drive from campus. I had to set my cruise control because my lead foot wanted to be there immediately, knowing what awaited me.
The shiny black Mustang was parked outside our building. Sliding into the space beside it, I saw him. He jumped out gracefully, opening my back door without having to be asked.
“Welcome home,” he said. His mouth tilted, and there was that sly, mischievous grin I had grown to love.
“Thank you.” I grinned. Throwing my backpack on I jogged in front of him, holding the door open so he could place my boxes inside.
“Is this everything?” He looked confused.
“I travel light.”
“Tyler took Gabby out. You know what that means, right?” His brow popped up as he looked to my new room.
“Yeah, fewer people to help us unpack.” I grabbed a box and walked to the room I would be spending time in until I figured out my next move.
“Killing me,” he mumbled as he grabbed the rest.
The small room was already decorated. The gray bed was positioned in the middle of the room, with tables on each side of it. A small white dresser was against the wall in front of the bed. I tossed my box down in front of the door to the closet, and Liam followed me.
“Done for now.” I laughed, sitting on the edge of my new bed. “What about you? How’s the apartment hunt coming along?”
Sitting down beside me, he sighed. “I’d live in a cardboard box if it meant I could get out of that house.”
I laughed. “So, what’s the problem?”
He held my gaze. His eyes went soft around the edges. “I have big plans.”
“Care to elaborate?” I smiled at him. Settling in I crossed my legs, leaning back against the soft fabric headboard.
“As you know I’m graduating this spring, but I’m looking a job around here when I finish. I’ll be around here for at least three more years.” He leaned back, propping up on his elbow beside me. Staring at the ceiling, I grinned.
“That’s oddly specific.”
“It is. And if I’m there long-term, I might as well find a place that other people in my life like.” This time, he looked at me.
“Good idea,” I agreed.
“Do you want to help out?” he asked, throwing me a childish grin. He was embarrassed.
“I’d love to.” I placed a soft kiss on his lips.
“You’re it for me, Autumn Miller. Nothing else will come between of us.”
Draping my arm over him I snuggled close, listening to the sweet nothings he whispered in my ear. The world was ours for the taking, and this time nothing stood in our way. My anxiety was gone. Our secrets were out. My past was safely tucked away, never to be opened again. I took solace in the fact that no matter if we fought, if I had a bad day, anything that was thrown in my direction, I would still be here, every night, wrapped in his arms while he made it okay. We were endgame. And in the end, it took me five months to become the girl I was supposed to be.
Epilogue
Six Months Later
I stood back on the hiking trail, watching Autumn snap pictures of everything in her sight. I had been here countless times but watching her take it all in made it feel like the first time.
“Oh my God, Liam, it’s beautiful here. I’m glad we got out of the city for the week,” she said, grinning at me.
Her face was splashed with red after a quick day trip the day before. She warned
