“But I’m the one who lifted the spare keys and stowed away in her car. I’m the one who nagged her to get me home. I knew I shouldn’t drive, but I did. I know there isn’t anything I can do about it now, but it hasn’t stopped me from thinking about all the things I should have done differently.”

“She never should have sworn you to keep it secret.”

Tears spilled down Joy’s face. “She was trying to protect me.” Joy had done her research. She would have paid fees in the thousands. She could have spent time in juvenile hall. She probably wouldn’t have been eligible to receive her license until just last year. Thank God it was just her and Judy. Had she killed anyone else and the authorities discovered Joy had been driving, her parents could have been sued for involuntary manslaughter. Joy could only imagine what her punishment would have been had her parents learned she’d been driving. Judy must have known this, which was why she’d insisted on taking the blame.

“I know, Joy. But you were a kid. She was eighteen, the adult. She asked too much of you.”

“I wanted to tell everyone how sorry I was, and I couldn’t say anything. I’d promised Judy and I was too afraid. I still am.” Her parents would never forgive her. She wouldn’t have just lost Judy. She’d lose everyone else that she loved.

“Come here.” Dylan tugged her hand.

She climbed onto his lap, straddling his thighs, and collapsed against his chest. She hugged his shoulders and cried.

“I get it now, Joy. You’ll never have to ask me again to buckle my seat belt.” Dylan soothed her, rubbing her back. He laid his cheek on her head and held her.

Joy released a long, pent-up breath she felt like she’d been holding for eight years.

“You never told anyone you were behind the wheel?” he asked after a moment.

Joy shook her head.

“Not even your parents?”

She shook her head again.

“Jesus.” He hugged her tightly. “You don’t have to carry this burden alone anymore. I’ve got you.”

She cried harder. She was never the same after the accident. How could she be? She’d spent so much time alone. But for the first time in years she didn’t feel so alone.

“Thank you,” she whispered with a kiss to the side of his neck.

“One more thing.”

His tone was serious, setting a nervous flutter to spin around her stomach. She lifted her head so that she could look at him. “What?”

“No more what-ifs. You’ll drive yourself mad. There isn’t a thing you can do to change the past. But if you don’t stop rehashing it, you’ll never move on. For all her stupid decisions that night, I bet Judy loved you very much.”