I shove his shoulder too, grinning. And then I climb behind the wheel of my truck and wave to him before I drive off.

It’s a long drive, and I almost turn around several times. I can’t believe I’m really doing this. Moving eight hours away. Only having myself to take care of and worry about. It doesn’t feel right, but when I pull into my college’s town, suddenly, hope blooms in my chest. The town is big. There are several stoplights I have to go through to make it to campus. There are so many restaurants I’ve never been to. I see coffee shops and bookstores. Retail stores. It’s full of so many different things, it’s almost overwhelming.

I smile when I pass by a Dairy Queen and consider taking a picture to send to Kingston, but I’m in traffic and driving, so I can’t. Maybe later.

I drive through campus and see so many people my age moving into their dorms and walking around campus. It’s large, with lots of rock buildings with so many possibilities inside them.

Campus is buzzing and busy. The kids my age all seem to have their own style and their own worries on their faces. They’re laughing and having a good time. Excitement and nerves flowing through all of them. Hugging their parents and greeting friends. It’s a big, different world than I’m used to, but I feel excitement running through my veins to experience all of this.

I realize this is where I’m meant to be.

I did it. I’m here, and I’m not going to waste this opportunity. I’m going to make sure all my dreams come true.

Well, most of them.

Because I think being with Kingston Wells—I mean really being with him—will always be my number one dream.

But this is pretty damn great too.

40. Kingston

FORTY

KINGSTON

I’ve missed Camden like crazy, but we’ve talked every day since he left. Sometimes on the phone but mostly texting. He sent me a picture of the DQ on his first night there, and somehow that made me feel better. Like at least he still has the DQ for comfort food when he needs it.

I’ve been working like crazy and, of course, checking in on Lucy and Tracy as much as I can. But now, I’m here on his campus. Parking was a fucking nightmare. I don’t know how he does this, and I’m still not sure I’m parked when I can actually park.

But I wanted to see him. I held out for an entire six weeks. I took one day off, so I have a three-day weekend. It’s Friday night, and he’s done with classes until Monday at eleven. He’s all mine for right now.