“True,” he laughed, the sound vibrating through his back into my chest. “But you could’ve kept pushing me away. You didn’t.”
I thought about that for a moment, about all the walls I’d built during those seven years in prison. Walls that had kept me safe, kept me sane. Walls that Ryder had somehow managed to scale without me even realizing it until he was already inside.
“Maybe I was tired of being alone,” I said finally. “Or maybe you’re just special.”
He leaned his head back against my shoulder, a contented sigh escaping his lips. “I like that second option better.”
We fell into comfortable silence again, watching as more stars appeared overhead. The night air was cooling rapidly, but beneath our shared blanket, we were warm against each other’s skin.
“I have something for you,” Ryder said suddenly, pulling away slightly.
“Oh yeah?” I raised an eyebrow as he stood, keeping the blanket wrapped around his shoulders as he padded back toward the cabin. I watched the sway of his hips beneath the blanket, appreciating the view as he disappeared inside. He returned moments later, clutching something small in his palm.
“Close your eyes,” he instructed, kneeling in front of me.
I did as I was told, feeling a flutter of anticipation in my chest. His warm hand took mine, and I felt something cool and metallic being pressed into my palm.
“Okay, you can look now.”
I opened my eyes and glanced down. In my hand was a simple key on a leather cord.
“What’s this?” I asked, turning the key over in my fingers.
“It’s the key to this cabin,” Ryder said, his voice soft but steady. “Cole and Jesse said we could use it whenever we want. I figured... well, once your parole is up, we might need somewhere that’s just ours. Somewhere my father can’t touch.”
I stared at the key, emotion welling up in my throat. It wasn’t just a key to a cabin… it was a promise of a future. A future wherewe could be together without fear or secrecy. A future I never thought would be possible…
“Ryder, I?—”
“You don’t have to say anything,” he interrupted, his eyes shining in the moonlight. “I know it’s a lot. And I know four months is still a long way off. But I wanted you to have it. To know that... that I’m serious about this. About us. Even if you decide you want to go somewhere else, to get away from Hell Creek forever, this is a promise that I’ll go. If you’ll have me.”
I closed my fist around the key, feeling its weight. It was so light and yet so significant. “Thank you,” I managed, my voice rougher than I intended.
Ryder smiled, leaning forward to kiss me softly. “Besides, four months isn’t so long when you think about it,” he murmured against my lips. “And then we’ll have all the time in the world.”
I pulled him into my arms, the blanket falling around us as I held him close. The night air was cool against our skin, but I barely noticed. All I could focus on was Ryder—his warmth, his scent, the steady beat of his heart against mine.
“You know,” I said after a moment, “a lot can change in four months.”
Ryder tensed slightly in my arms. “What do you mean?”
“I mean your dad might calm down. The ranch might settle. You might find a permanent position at Nelson’s.” I ran my fingers through his hair, enjoying the silky feel of it. “Things might get easier.”
He relaxed, nuzzling against my neck. “Maybe. But even if they don’t, we’ll figure it out. Together.”
Together. The word echoed in my mind, filling spaces that had been empty for so long. For someone who’d spent most of his life alone, the concept of “together” was both terrifying and exhilarating.
“We should probably head back soon,” Ryder sighed reluctantly. “Larry said he’d cover you for curfew, but I don’t want you to get into trouble after everything with Sam.”
“Yeah,” I nodded, still not wanting to let him go. “You’re right.”
I reluctantly untangled myself from Ryder. The key hung heavy around my neck, its weight both comforting and terrifying. I couldn’t believe what he’d offered me, a man he’d only known for two months.
“You know,” I said, gathering the blanket around my waist, “I haven’t had a day like this in... well, maybe ever.”
Ryder smiled up at me, his face illuminated by moonlight, making him look almost ethereal. “Me neither. Not even close.”
We dressed slowly, stealing glances and touches, neither of us wanting to break the spell of the day. Each piece of clothing felt like a barrier being rebuilt between us and the world we’d managed to escape for a few precious hours.
