Neil’s cheeks redden. “Oh, no. You don’t have to apologize for that. Like, ever. It was, um … It was pretty great, and I just wish I would’ve had the guts to do it sooner, that’s all.”

“Yo, Neil!” Rob calls out. “Can you grab me a Coke?”

Neil opens the fridge and gets out a can of Coke. He turns to walk away, but I grab his hand. “I don’t regret it, either.”

It’s true. With everything I’m leaving behind, there’s a pain in my heart each time I think about not being around Neil anymore. My lips tingle at the memory of his lips on mine.

“It’s only for a while,” Neil reminds me. “You’ll be back for college.”

I really hope that’s true.

He studies me for a minute, then a smile spreads on his face and my stomach does a little flutter. “And, Ally, I’ve waited this long. I can wait a little longer. You’re worth it.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter

TWENTY-FIVE

“I have something to tell you,” Sheriff Gleason says to me the next day. “I gave your message to your father.”

“You did?” A foreign feeling swells in my belly: hope. I haven’t felt hopeful in what seems like forever. Even though I can’t say goodbye, I need to have some kind of word from him before I leave.

“Yes. He thanks you for the message, but most of all he wants you to know that he loves you. He made it easy so I couldn’t forget.” He gives me a wink. “He also said that he wants you to give your mother a chance. He knows he’s deprived her of getting to see an incredible young woman grow up. And I agree with him. Paula and her family deserve a chance. They’ve been punished for years. So please try.”

I nod. Dad has a point, even though, you know, this is his fault. I can’t deny that Paula is my mother and I should try. It doesn’t really matter, does it? The law says I have to go with my guardian. Sheriff Gleason says I have to go. Even my dad wants me to go with them. So I’m going.

But I can be sad about leaving. All through packing and even now, I’m still in disbelief that I’m really moving. That this IS happening.

“Please give them until at least graduation.” He says it as if it doesn’t feel a lifetime away. “Then you can come back here. You’ll be so busy with your last semester of senior year it’ll fly by.”

“Sure,” I reply unconvincingly.

“Well, I better make sure there aren’t any prying eyes around.”

“Thanks, truly.” I give him a quick hug before either of us tears up.

He nods at me one last time before exiting the house.