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“Eight days,” he echos. “Am I picking you up?”
“The car’s in my name, at least, so I’d like to take it with me. Having a second vehicle might help if I get a job. I’ll try to time it so my parents are in a meeting when I leave, so they can’t stop me.”
“Do we need to leave town?” Wynnter asks.
My lips part. “You’d leave town for me?”
“Of course.”
My chest clenches. “I…don’t know. It depends on how they react. If they make it impossible to live here…we might have to. If they don’t, it’s not like they’re often on your side of town anyway. We can just pretend there’s more space between us than there is.”
Air rushes through the line before Wynnter murmurs, “Whatever is best for you, my Dece. I’m sorry it’s turning out like this. I wish… I wish I were a better person and less elated over what this means for me.” Shakily, he says, “I…am so happy you’re gonna be coming home. I miss you so much.”
Peace at the idea of calling Wynnter’s cabin my home eases some of the ache in my chest. I let the picture form. Cold nights. Thanksgiving with his family. Decorating together for Christmas. Starting a new year in a new world. Learning about everything I’ve missed out on while trapped in this tower.
Maybe it won’t be so bad…
Maybe I’ll finally get the opportunity to live.
A knock sounds behind me, and I jump, turning in my window seat.
“Devina?” my mother calls through the slab of locked wood.
“I have to go,” I whisper and hang up after Wynnter confirms, then I answer my mother, “Yes?”
“Devina, darling,” she says, “your father and I are going out for a bit. I just wanted to check in and make sure you had everything you need. We shouldn’t be gone more than a couple hours.”
My heart rate jumps. “Where are you going?”
“It’s something at the office. We’re going to bring dinner home, too, since the staff is off this evening.” She sighs. “We’ll text you when we’re ready to order, or you can text us if there’s something specific you’d like?”
Something in my chest pinches and stings. “Oh. Okay.”
My mother pauses, then she says, “I’m sorry about this whole punishment. I’ll talk to your father while we’re gone. See if he won’t let up a little and only ground you for one week. You’re normally such a good girl.” A smile lightens her voice. “I know you’re also a romantic, though. We’ll maintain that Forrest has to wait another week before he can see you, but I so hate knowing you’re cooped up in here over a mistake, no matter how big it was. I think you’re smart enough to have learned your lesson already.”
Tears prick in my eyes because I’m really, really not. “I…” Don’t know what to say. “Thank you.”
“I love you, Devina.”
My heart twinges. “I know.”
“We’ll be back soon. If you need anything in the meantime, you just let us know.”
I agree, then I watch from my window as my parents drive away.
Once they’re completely out of sight, I scribble a vague goodbye letter, get a bobby pin for the lock on my door, and pack everything I can possibly fit into my car.
Heart in my throat and tears streaming down my cheeks, I call Wynnter back.
“Dece, is everything okay?”
I sniffle, put in the gate code, and leave my parents’ property. “Yeah.” I force a smile as the open road presents itself to me. “I broke out. I’m sorry this is so sudden. I just… I saw an opportunity, and I took it.”
Low, he hisses a swear. “You’re on your way here, now?”
“Yes. Is that…okay?”
“Of course.” An edge pricks in his voice—and I swear it’s laced with ecstasy. “I’ll be there when you arrive.” He curses. “I’m in the middle of a job, but it’s not far. Or hard. I’m almost done. I’ll be there.”
