Page 135 of Striking Range

Everett beams, reaching out to pet the puppy’s fur as he says, “It’s the first step toward our future together.”

He’s so sweet and sentimental in this moment. I can tell he’s excited, and that he was worried that he’d made the wrong move.

Nothing that makes him smile this brightly, that means so much to him, could ever be the wrong move.

“Not quite,” I tell him, grabbing my phone from my pocket as he sends me a startled look. I intended to print my gift, but I also didn’t imagine I’d be doing it right now.

It only took me two days—and a secret trip alone—to secure this gift, but it feels like a heavy weight to carry without him. I’m almost relieved to be doing it early.

“W-what do you mean?” he asks.

“Our first step toward our new lives together is this.” I pass him my phone, my email app open for him.

I watch his face as he reads the screen. I experience all of his fleeting emotions with him—the confusion, the surprise, the shock, and the gratitude.

“What is it?!” Mom practically shouts, vibrating in her spot on the couch.

“A new lease in Tallahassee,” Everett murmurs, his eyes drilling into mine with so much emotion I could collapse under it. “Our first apartment together.”

“Our first since we started dating,” I correct. “But yes. And we’ll be far away from Ash and far away from the bad memories. I’ll get a job at a hospital out there, and you can figure things out slowly. With our dog, of course.”

“You’re moving to Tallahassee?” Dad interjects, his brow knitting as he tries to get a look at my phone screen.

“Yeah, it’s not too far. Sorry I didn’t mention it sooner; it was kind of a last-minute investment.”

“Well, he’s a college grad now,” Mom says, shrugging as she tries to console herself and my father. “It’s expected that he’d want to start a life with Everett now.”

My parents begin to have their own conversation, planning out the move and what we’ll need without bothering to include us.

I was never concerned about their reaction. I’ve always been free to make decisions in my own best interest.

I’m watching them, amused, as Everett whispers, “Thank you, Sky. Really. I’m… Yeah, I’m really happy.”

My eyes dart to him, catching the glassy joy there. “We can put your name on the lease when we get there. Move-in is the first of January.”

He leans over, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “I love you. I can’t wait to leave this all behind and watch you grow old.”

I groan. “You’re being so sappy!”

Mom giggles, now watching us again. “You two are so cute!”

The puppy barks, a loud and piercing sound, so Everett grabs him from the box and places him on my lap.

“What are you going to name him, Sky?” he asks.

Name him? I’ve never named an animal before. I could call him so many silly things, or stern ones, like Kevin. But none of it feels right. Why am I the one stuck with this job?

“Um…” I mutter, my brain mulling over the options as all eyes land on me. I’m trying to pinpoint something meaningful and emotional, but nothing is coming to me.

I can’t very well name the dog Everett, now can I?

“It can be anything,” Evie says. “No pressure.”

“Uh, okay. Then how about… Albert?”

Epilogue

Everett Young