“Jesus, Maddie,” he hisses. “You’ve been this upset for over a month and you didn’t think to call him or reach out?”

Damn. Not exactly the brotherly love I was hoping for.

“I figured that would just make it harder! How was I supposed to know I’d become you and fall in love so easily?” I retort.

Rhett laughs and shoves my shoulder before pulling me into a side hug. “Come here,” he mutters as he holds me tighter and kisses the crown of my head. “Do you really think you’re in love?”

My reply is instant. “I think life doesn’t feel worth living without him.”

Damn. I’m a sucker. I really did inherit the Wheeler family curse. When we fall, we fall hard. I feel stupid that I didn’t admit this to myself sooner.

“You have to talk to him, Maddie.”

I knew he was going to say that.

“What’s the point?” I counter. “Nothing has changed. I love school. I would never leave Cal. I want to have an amazing career in NYC or LA. I don’t want to live in Hampton and be a housewife! I might be in love, but I still love myself more.”

“I’m sure Dempsey’s aware that you’re not housewife material,” he teases. “Why do you think that’s what he’d want for you anyway?”

I pause before treading into uncomfortable territory.

“I don’t think that’s what he’d want. I think that’s what I’d have to settle for. He’s… he’s stuck there, Rhett. Because of him. And I refuse to ask him to choose.”

My brother’s jaw ticks, but he nods in understanding.

Dempsey and Fielding’s relationship is complicated and co-dependent. But they’ve been through hell together, and all they have left in this world is each other. I don’t begrudge him for needing to be there for his brother. But I also can’t imagine feeling anything but stuck if I had to live in Hampton my whole life.

“It sounds like Dempsey has some decisions to make. But you do have to talk to him. You can’t expect him to choose you if he doesn’t know you’re an option.”

That… makes sense. But I cower at the thought of putting myself out there and not being chosen.

“I don’t know what to do,” I moan, defeated.

“Maddie. We’re at the cabin. You’re literally less than two hours from Hampton. If you don’t know what to do, then I’m not sure we’re related.”

“You think I should go to Hampton?” I challenge, one eyebrow raised.

He raises both of his in reply, so I know he means business.

“Okay, yeah…”

I start to formulate a plan in my head. Rhett’s right. I’m so close. This is my shot. If I go back to Hampton tonight…