Tex’s voice is calm. “No.” He turns his head and looks at me. “She doesn’t need saving. She needs space to be herself and room to decide what she wants.”
“Seems pretty obvious what she wants,” Boone grunts, looking between Tex and me.
Caleb studies Tex for a long moment before his gaze slides to our joined hands. “If you hurt her?—”
“I won’t,” Tex says, holding Caleb’s gaze steadily.
“And if she wants to leave?” Weston asks.
Tex’s answer is immediate. “Then she leaves.”
Chapter 20
Jane
Caleb looks at me, and his shoulders drop slightly, as if a little of the fight leaves him. “You okay?”
“I’m okay,” I reply, and this time it’s true. I’m not small. I’m not trapped. I’m here because I choose to be here.
Boone’s eyes search my face like he wants to argue and protect me from my own choices.
Then he exhales hard and looks away. “Fine. But I’m not happy about it.”
Weston sighs. “Boone.”
“I said fine,” Boone repeats. “Which is basically me being supportive. Don’t ruin it.”
It’s so Boone that a laugh bubbles up through my tears.
Caleb looks at Tex one last time. “Take care of her.”
Tex’s hand squeezes mine. “I am.”
Caleb nods and steps back.
Weston follows.
Boone lingers, his gaze on me, a thousand words in his eyes.
Finally, he grunts, “Text the group chat. So we know you’re alive.”
“He means he loves you,” Weston mutters.
Boone flips him off. “I mean, she should text the group chat.”
My laugh comes out wet and broken. “I will.”
Boone turns and stomps down the steps like he’s mad at the snow for existing.
The trucks start a minute later.
When they finally pull away, my legs go weak, like I’ve been holding myself upright on adrenaline alone.
Tex slides his arm around my waist. “Breathe.”
I do. I lean into him, my forehead pressed to his chest.
“You did good,” he murmurs.
