By the time my feet hit the ground, I’m already in motion, my mind focused on one thing: getting as far away from here as possible.
I make it to the bus station with the birthday money I’d saved and buy a ticket to CSU. The next bus isn’t for another hour, so I slump into a plastic chair in the waiting area and text the guys again.
Me: I’m on the way. Got a bus ticket.
Ford: Just keep us posted. No sleeping on a weirdo’s shoulders.
The bus ride is long, and I’m exhausted, so I pull out my phone and put on a movie. Something light. A rom-com. My mind keeps drifting back to Matthew, wondering if this is a mistake.He’s been supportive, but we have history. Messy history. What if this is just a game to him? What if he’s with someone else right now? I shake the thought out of my head, but it lingers, gnawing at me.
By the time I arrive at CSU, the sun is starting to set. I step off the bus, and my heart thuds in my chest. Matthew’s place isn’t far from campus, so I walk, the duffel hitting my back with each step. When I reach his condo, I hesitate before heading up the steps to the front door. My nerves are starting to get the best of me. Taking a deep breath, I knock and wait, listening for any hint of movement inside—but there's nothing. I knock again, louder this time, but still no response.
He’s not home.
I stand in front of his door, biting my lip. Should I text him? Let him know I’m here? Ford and Jacob would probably tell me to be smart about this, but I want to surprise him. That was the whole point of coming here—to show up unannounced, to be spontaneous.
I sit down on the steps and text the guys instead.
Me: I’m at his place, but he’s not home yet.
Ford: Maybe just text him?
Me: Nah. I want it to be a surprise.
Jacob: Let us know when you get inside. So we know you’re safe. I don’t like that you’re so far away and alone.
Me: It looks like it’s a quiet street. I’m okay.
I sit there for what feels like an eternity. My nerves are getting worse with every passing minute. What if he’s out with someone else? What if I was wrong to think this was a good idea?
Anger bubbles up in me, mixing with the anxiety. If he’s out with someone else, I swear I’ll kick him in the dick. And her? She won’t be getting away scot-free either. I’ll slap her around just because I can. The thought makes me laugh, but the laugh is bitter. I’ve been burned by Matthew before. Trusting him again—letting my guard down—it’s a risk.
But the alternative? Staying with my mother, giving up on my dreams, letting her control every part of my life? That’s no life at all.
I pull my knees to my chest, resting my head on them as I wait. The sky darkens, and my phone buzzes again.
Jacob: You okay?
Me: Yeah, just waiting.
But as the minutes tick by my mind spirals. What if he never comes back? What if this was all a joke, some twisted way to hurt me again?
I shove the thought down. No. He wouldn’t do that.
Would he?
Finally, I hear footsteps approaching, and my heart leaps into my throat. I look up, and there he is, walking toward me with a bag of groceries, completely unaware that I’ve been sitting here for what feels like hours.
When he sees me, his eyes widen, surprise flickering across his face before it’s replaced by something else. Something I can’t quite read.
“Dylan?” he asks, dropping the groceries on the ground. “What… what are you doing here?”
I stand up, my knees shaky, and force a smile. “I’m sorry for just... showing up. I needed to get away. Can we talk? I didn’t know where else to go.”
His expression softens, and he takes a step toward me. “Yeah, of course. Come inside.”
Chapter 17
Matthew
