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But also the mother who’d made Halloween costumes by hand. Who’d cheered at every school play and graduation. Who’d been proud of me even when that pride came wrapped in impossible expectations.

Complicated grief for a complicated relationship. The therapist I’d eventually need would have a field day.

***

One day later, we drove through the night, leaving Charlotte and its ghosts behind.

I dozed fitfully in the passenger seat, waking periodically to check that we were still moving. Tyson had the radio on low, classic rock bleeding through the speakers.

Somewhere around 3 AM, I woke fully to him singing along with REO Speedwagon. Badly. Enthusiastically. Complete with steering wheel drums during the chorus. He hadn’t noticed I was awake, lost in his private concert, and I watched him in the dashboard light.

“I love you.”

The words came out without thought, without plan. Just truth, simple and terrifying.

Tyson jerked, the truck swerving slightly before he corrected. “What?”

“I said I love you.”

“Sam…”

“I know it’s fast. I know we’re in the middle of chaos. I know I’m probably trauma-bonding or whatever the therapists would call it.” I shifted to face him fully. “But I love you. Have for a while now, just couldn’t say it. I love you, Tyson.”

27

— • —

Sam

My declaration hung between us in the truck cab. Tyson’s knuckles went white on the steering wheel, his jaw working as he processed what I’d just said.

“Sam.” My name came out cracked, broken in the middle.

“Pull over.”

“What?”

“Pull. Over.”

He took the next exit too fast, tires squealing slightly as we veered into an empty rest stop. The parking lot was deserted, just us and the dawn light painting everything gold. He’d barely thrown the truck into park before I was unbuckling, climbing across the console.

“Sam, what are you…”

I straddled him, hands framing his face. “I love you. I need you to hear that. To know it. Right now.”

His hands found my waist, gripping tight. “You can’t just say things like that when I’m driving.”

“Why not?”

“Because I need to do this.”

He kissed me hard, desperate, like he was trying to crawl inside my skin. I kissed him back with equal fervor, pouring everything into it. The grief, the relief, the overwhelming certainty that this man was my future.

“Say it again,” he demanded against my mouth.

“I love you.”

His groan vibrated through both of us. “Fuck, Sam. Do you know how long I’ve wanted to hear that?”