know. It’s all I could think about last night while he was sleeping next to me. That, and all the worst possible things that could happen while he’s gone. But I don’t need him to know those things. I want him to go and make the most of it. “It’s only four days,” I say, hoping he doesn’t hear the forced effort in my laugh. “I’m sure you’ll survive.” But I’ll struggle without you, I don’t say.
“I guess we should get used to it, huh?”
I nod, even though the prospect of being away from him for who knows how long kills me inside.
“Well. Duke’s just over two hours away, so if you do stay here, hopefully, I’ll be able to come back whenever I can. You’ll have to keep your bed warm for me though. I’m pretty sure Dad’s planning on going back to Florida.”
“He is?”
Connor nods but doesn’t say much else. When we get to school, he finds a parking spot and gets out to open the door for me. The whole chivalry thing isn’t something I ever thought I wanted—I have arms and legs and can do it all myself—but I kind of love that he does it for me. As soon as I’m out of his truck, he gets bombarded by people wishing him luck for the weekend. I can tell it makes him uncomfortable, but he smiles with every kind gesture, and when it begins to die off, he reaches for me, both his hands linking with mine. “I’ll miss you so much,” he says, just as the warning bell goes off. He curses under his breath, and I kiss him quickly.
“I have to go,” I rush out. Another short kiss. “I’ll see you on Monday.” Then I shrug out of his hold and start running up the steps, the ache in my chest causing the heat behind my eyes. It’s just four days, I keep telling myself. I can do this. With each step up, each inch I move farther from him, the stronger my emotions become. Tears well in my eyes, and I can’t fight them off. And I don’t want to. Shit. I turn quickly, thankful he’s still there watching me. And then I run back to him, faster than I’ve ever run before. I didn’t want him to see me like this, but I can’t let him go without saying goodbye properly. He pushes off his truck when I get near enough, his arms open, and I practically jump into his embrace, my arms around his neck while he wraps his around my waist. Feet off the ground, my legs circle him. “I don’t want you to go,” I mumble into his neck. It’s stupid and petty, and I’m The Worst Girlfriend Ever.
“Dammit, Ava, don’t mess with my emotions like that!”
I rear back, still holding on to him. “I didn’t want you to know how badly I’ll miss you,” I murmur, unable to control my pout.
He sets me back on my feet but keeps me close. “I’m going to miss you, too. Like crazy. But we’ll call and message every day.”
I nod. “It’s four whole days.”
“It feels like forever.”
“I know.”
“Don’t go getting any other boyfriends while I’m gone.”
I scoff, place my ear to his chest so I can listen to the magic that lives only for me. “You’re not the one who needs to be worried,” I say around the knot in my throat. “There are going to be so many groupies there. Don’t go meeting other girls.” It’s meant to be a half-hearted joke, but I can’t seem to hide the legitimate worry that’s been building inside me.
He shifts the hair away from my face, holding it to the side of my head so he can look me directly in the eyes. “Ava, come on.”
“I know,” I sigh out. “But you’ll be out there doing You things, and I’m the small-town girl you left behind… it’s a tale as old as time.”
“Stop,” he orders.
I shrug. “I’m a little insecure, okay?”
He huffs out a breath, then kisses me once. “What can I do to make you feel better about it?”
Reaching up, I run a finger along his forehead. “Get my name tattooed right here.”
He laughs. “Just A V A?”
Nodding, I say, “And Diaz. Just so it’s clear. Maybe Ava E. D. Diaz.”
“That’s a lot of letters, babe.”
“Well, lucky you have a giant head.”
His head throws back with his laughter, and I smile, pull back a little to give him room to breathe.
“I’m