I winced and covered my face with both hands. “God, of course you did.”
“Mhm.”
I peeked through my fingers. “You did?”
He gently pulled my hands away from my face. “Ellie. I loved it.”
“I didn’t know if you’d hear it.”
“I did. Well, not at first, but then Dorian told me about it.”
I smiled, my heart pounding in that way it only ever did around him. “Well. This is embarrassing.”
He watched me closely, like he was building up to something. “So…what do you say we ditch the script? You, me, no more fake anything.”
“You want to be my real boyfriend?”
“I mean…yeah.” He laughed nervously. “If that’s something you want.”
“I do,” I said, the answer rushing out before I thought about it. “I really, really do.”
His whole face softened. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I’ve been thinking a lot. About the life I’ve built, the goals I’ve chased. I’m proud of what I’ve done, but I’ve spent a long time chasing stuff I don’t even want anymore.”
“Okay…”
“I’m tired. Not of the music. Not of the fans. Just…of the pressure. The constant chase. I want to slow down. To write what I want, share it when I want, live without everything being a headline.”
“Sounds nice.”
“I want to figure out what it looks like to be a whole person again. Not the version of Ellie who sells out arenas—I want to be just me. And I want to do that with you.”
He looked stunned. “With…me?”
“Yeah. If you’ll have me.”
“If I’ll have you?” His eyes widened. “I think I’ve been in love with you since before you even liked me.”
I laughed, a little breathless. “I liked you more than I let on.”
He smirked. “I knew it.”
I rolled my eyes. “Also, I was thinking…maybe I could do that figuring-out-my-life thing in Woodstone. If you’ll let me crash at your place.”
He blinked. “You’re serious?”
“Dead serious.”
He looked like he didn’t know whether to cry or kiss me. Instead of doing either, he asked, “Wait, you’re really okay? You’re not hurt?”
“My wrists are a little sore. That’s it.”
“Good,” he said, standing and pulling me with him.
He picked me up and spun me around, laughing like he’d been given the world. The rain came down harder, soaking us both, but neither of us cared.
When he finally set me down, my cheeks were flushed and my heart was racing.
