“I know you’re worried,” I said. “I am too, but I’m a big girl now. You guys have done a lot for me, and I can’t take advantage of that forever.”
“It’s over an hour away from us,” Joey said.
“We talked about this,” Mitch replied, running a hand through his dark hair. “We can make it here in less time.”
“But it’s still too far away.”
I got why he was worried. Ever since college, which had massively blown up in my face, he’d been my protector.
I’d relied on him a lot over the years. I could see myself relying on him forever if I let myself, and that was the issue. I had to grow up at some point.
My therapist thought that moving out was the way to do it. I needed to rip off the Band-Aid and live on my own.
It was scary. No, terrifying.
But so was everything else. My anxiety made it feel like tiny, normal things were the end of the world.
“You saw how cute this town was onRenovating with Love,” I reminded. “The two of you said it was the perfect town for someone to live in.”
“For one of your books maybe. I didn’t think you would ...” Joey stopped, eyeing the way I looked at my feet. The last time we’d disagreed, I’d felt terrible. I didn’t want to call this off, but I didn’t want to fight with him either. He sighed. “But at least it’s nottoofar away.”
I looked up. “Exactly. It’s just a test.”
Joey wasn’t smiling, but he wasn’t fighting me.
I needed that.
My brave face wouldn’t last forever. This was the right thing to do, but I felt like I was one wrong move away from crying.
After this, I wouldn’t know how each day would be. I wouldbe on my own, and I had to figure out how to exist—something I should have done a long time ago.
“I’m sure this’ll be a change,” Mitch said. “And you can always call us if you need us.”
Joey didn’t say anything until Mitch elbowed him. “Yes, please call us. For anything.”
That was exactly what I needed to hear. “Thanks, guys.”
“And you’re sure you don’t want help unpacking?” Joey asked.
“I’ve got it,” I said. Inwardly, I imagined my therapist cheering for me. She told me not to let them linger and to start being on my own the second I could. “I don’t have that much.”
Joey’s brow furrowed in the same way it did when I announced I was moving.
“You guys still have to return the moving truck we rented,” I continued. “And go all the way back to Knoxville. I can do this.”
“It’s a lot for just you to do.”
“But I want to do it,” I reminded him. “That’s what all of this is for, learning to do things on my own.”
“She’s right,” Mitch added. “And we should go now before you never want to leave.”
Joey scoffed and crossed his arms. For a second, he pouted, and I wondered if he would put up a fight that I wasn’t prepared to push back on.
Then, he looked at his fiancé. “I hate it when you have a point.”
“Sorry, but I know you.”
“I’m worried about this.” Joey turned to me. “I’m worried aboutyou.”
