If Brooke was aware of how often I checked up on her, she didn’t let on. Maybe I was stealthier than my size would imply. I didn’t let it mess with my life. I went to my classes. Studied. Hung out with Charlie sometimes. But I always found ways to see what she was doing.

It wasn’t difficult, considering how rarely she left her house. She didn’t go to work. I had no idea if she’d actually quit, if she was pulling her sick routine, or if she’d just stopped going without explanation. I wanted to go talk to her boss, but I decided against it. Even if he listened to me, what good would it do? It wasn’t like I could drag her down there and make her show up.

She was self-destructing, and it was fucking painful to watch.

At first, I’d figured I’d let a few days go by, give her space, and wait for her to come back. But a few days turned into a week, and I didn’t hear from her. It was hard not to call, or go see her. I knew she was hurting, and every bit of me wanted to make her feel better. But I waited.

Olivia basically moved in. None of us talked about Brooke. It was this giant fucking elephant in the room that we all pretended to ignore. It was stupid, but the one time I’d almost brought up what was happening, Charlie had tried to murder me with his eyes.

I didn’t blame Olivia for being mad. Hearing Brooke had slapped her had been a shock. It wasn’t cool, but I knew there was more to it. If Olivia had thrown Liam’s death in her face—said it had been Brooke’s fault… well, she didn’t deserve to get hit. No one did. But it made it easier to understand why Brooke had been mad enough to do it.

But Brooke had pushed everyone away. She was completely alone, and I hated it.

I’d been putting off seeing my parents, so when they asked me to come to dinner, I agreed. I drove out to Waverly—alone this time. Didn’t even tell Charlie I was going. I wasn’t in the mood for any of it, but at least I’d get my mom’s cooking out of the deal.

Although, if Cami was there, I’d turn around and leave.

Thankfully, it was just my mom and dad. I went inside and chatted with them in the kitchen while they finished getting dinner ready. Small talk, mostly. They didn’t ask about Brooke, or why I’d come alone.

My mom had made enough food to feed ten people, but that was typical. We sat down at the table together, but the quiet was distracting. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been here without at least Charlie along. But this was how it had been, once. Just us three.

“How are your classes going?” Dad asked.

“Fine.” I hadn’t told them about applying to other schools, but it was one of the reasons I’d come. “I actually switched a couple of classes last minute, but it’s worked out fine.”

“Switched?” Dad asked. “Why?”

“So I could get prerequisites out of the way,” I said. “I’m applying to architecture programs.”

Dad put his fork down. “Architecture? Why would you do that?”

“Because I want to be an architect,” I said. If he was going to ask an obvious question, I’d give an obvious answer.

“Since when?” he asked.

I shrugged. “I’ve thought about it for a while. This is what I want to do.”

“But honey,” Mom said, “you’re almost finished with your degree. You don’t want to be in school that much longer, do you?”

“That was a consideration, but I decided it would be worth it.”

My parents looked at each other like they were baffled.

Dad’s brow furrowed. “I guess this means…”

“It means I’m not going to move back here and work for you,” I said. “I’m sorry, Dad. I know that’s what you wanted for me. But that just isn’t what I want to do with my life.”

“Son, this is something I can do for you,” Dad said. “Something I can give you. I built up this business from nothing. I wasn’t just going to have you work for me. You’d do that until you had some experience, and then I was going to hand it over to you.”

“I know,” I said. “But I don’t need you to give this to me. You’ve already given me everything. You guys raised me well, gave me a good, solid home.” I met my mom’s eyes. “And you didn’t give up on me when I was ready to throw in the towel.”

My mom took a deep breath. “I’m not sure what to say.”

“I’ve been trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do with my life ever since it sank in that I was going to get to have one,” I said. “And I think I’m finally starting to.”

Dad nodded slowly. “All right, then. What schools are you thinking about?”

I couldn’t help but grin a little. On to practical matters. That was my dad. “I’ve applied to Virginia Tech, University of Texas, and University of Michigan.”

Mom’s mouth hung open, her worry lines deepening.

“Mom,” I cut in before she could say anything. “I know, they’re far away. But they’re the best fits.”

“You’ve already applied,” Dad said. It was more a statement than a question.

“Once I made the decision, I was all in,” I said.

Dad chuckled. “Of course you were. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“Oh, Sebastian,” Mom said.

Dad put his hand over hers. “He’ll be fine. Look at him. You wanted our son back. I’d say we got him, and then some.”

It felt damn good to hear him say that. “Thanks, Dad.”

“What about your girlfriend?” Dad asked, and Mom looked down at the table. “She going with you?”

I knew they’d ask about Brooke, and I didn’t have a good answer. I hated living without her. It felt wrong down to the very core of my being. And the longer I went without seeing her, the more I started to wonder if she was ever going to come around.

I’d tried to imagine moving away without her. Going to school in another city and leaving her behind. The problem was, without her, all my plans fell apart. All my dreams and aspirations had her in them.

“I’m not sure,” I said, and it was the honest truth.

“All right,” Dad said. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I was looking forward to having you close by. But I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

After dinner, I drove home with a full stomach—and half a cheesecake I knew Charlie would devour. I felt good about the way I’d left things with my parents. They’d hugged me at the door, and both of them had told me again that they were proud of me.

But the closer I got to Iowa City, the deeper my sense of unease grew. I’d been making sure Brooke wasn’t out doing anything that would get her hurt—or worse—and so far she hadn’t done anything crazy. At least, not that I knew of. But her silence was painful. I was starting to look at the future with a new sense of who I was, and who I was going to become. But none of it mattered without her.

I didn’t love her because of some weird transplant phenomenon. It wasn’t like the random cravings I got for peach iced tea. But there was an element I couldn’t explain. Liam’s heart had recognized hers the day we met.

But the bond we’d forged was ours. It was built on the ashes our former lives—our former selves. We were two people who had been through fire. We’d suffered pain, tragedy, and loss. And yet, in the aftermath, we’d found each other. And as far as I was concerned, a life lived together was the only option.

She had my heart, and she always would. It had belonged to her before it had belonged to me. It belonged to her still. I just hoped she’d realize it before it was too late.