I passed my boards. 

It was strange how that was almost the least exciting part of those hectic weeks. Gabe’s producer was none too pleased about having to reschedule the crew a second time, but Gabe managed to placate him by agreeing to do a few viral promo spots for free. Which meant I had to watch my boyfriend go hurtling across the muddy dirt track outside of town where he’d apparently broken his arm last winter, and I had to bite my tongue when he and Finn went kayaking down the flood-choked creek while a crew filmed them from the bridge in the middle of town. 

Instead of hiding my eyes behind shaking hands, I found myself waving and cheering with the rest of the town as the two King brothers shot under the bridge and came out the other side. 

Then there was the flurry of preparing to leave home for months on end. Rachel refused to sublet my room, wary of who would end up taking it. There had been whispers that the Chosen were pissed that she was living openly in town, “flaunting” herself the way she was. So I ended up fronting her two months of my half of the rent and making Beau promise to keep an eye on her. He agreed in his usual solemn way, even though the two were still fighting about how much of the secular world Rachel should be allowed to experience. 

Then came informing my family that I was leaving the country to go travel the world with my daredevil rockstar boyfriend. Maybe I was chicken for telling all three of them via a Skype call instead of stopping by the house, but I had the satisfaction of seeing my mother sneer on one side of the screen while Abriella whooped and hollered on the other. 

My Dad told me to watch out for Godzilla. 

Then there was only one thing left to do before Gabe and I headed off for the two months of shooting. 

“You know, this bar has seen pretty much every important night in our relationship, and you don’t even drink,” I observed as Gabe and I sat in the Crown Tavern and accepted everyone’s well-wishes. Our going-away party was in full swing, and I was giddy with excitement. 

“Yeah, baby. We need to branch out a little.” Gabe squeezed my hand. 

“Isn’t that what we’re doing tomorrow?”

“Damn straight.”

“Riding dune buggies in the Sahara,” I sighed. “That’s gonna be a switch.”

“Yeah, maybe we’ll finally get out of the rain,” Gabe said wryly. 

“It was sunny today,” I reminded him. “It finally came out to see us off.”

“Hey, guys!” Rachel shouted. She held a drink in her hands. From across the room, Beau watched her, his expression unreadable. “I can’t believe you’re leaving, Everly!”

I laughed as she squeezed me tight. “You know I’ll be back. It’s only a few months.”

“But who’s going to teach me about secular life?” she moaned dramatically.

I gently took the drink from her hand. “I’m clearly a bad influence. How much have you had?”

“Nothing! It’s just iced tea!” she slurred. 

Gabe and I exchanged a look. “What kind of iced tea?” Gabe asked Rachel. 

“Shit,” I muttered, catching Beau’s eye. “Watch her,” I mouthed. 

He nodded and I sagged against Gabe. “I feel like a bad friend. I’m the one who gave her her first drink.”

“Beau’s watching out for her,” he said, lifting my hand to his lips. “Believe me, my brother is really good at watching out for people.”

I pressed my lips together as Rachel stumbled to the front door. Beau was off his chair like a shot, hurrying after her. “I like your brother,” I said. 

“You like my brothers in general, I think,” he teased, elbowing me in the ribs.

“Ass,” I said, shoving him back. “I think I picked the best one.” I grinned at him. “Eventually.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “Told you—you have terrible taste in King Brothers.”

“I have the best taste,” I protested. 

His hazel-green eyes met mine. “You’re spectacular, you know that?”

“I do because you keep telling me.”

“I’m gonna keep telling you every day from now on. Life is an adventure, baby, and we’re gonna share it. Are you ready?”

I wrapped my arms around him, my heart dancing with excitement. “Ready as I’ve ever been.”