Page 206 of The Dixon Rule

My jaw falls open. “What? Fuck no.”

Relief floods her gaze. “All right. Good. Just making sure.”

I chuckle softly. I’ve laughed very rarely these past few weeks, but Dixon always manages to bring some levity.

“I love you,” I say in a strong, empathic tone. “I’m not giving you up. Ever.”

“Ever, huh?”

“Well, as long as you’ll have me.”

She smiles at that.

“And if you’re cool with it, I figured you could drive me home and then keep my car while I’m gone. I’ll have my dad’s—” My voice cracks. I can’t think about him without breaking down. “My dad’s truck. And Mom has her own car. The Mercedes will just be sitting in the driveway, so I figured you might as well use it here.”

“Don’t do this, Lindley. If you lend me that car, I’ll never give it back.”

“Oh, you’re giving it back.” I grin. “I love you, but not that much.”

She crawls into my lap, locking her hands behind my neck. “Are you sure you want to go?”

I nod. “I have to.”

She nods too. “Okay. I support whatever you decide. And now that football season is coming to an end, I’ll be able to drive up every weekend to see you.”

“I’m holding you to that.”

THE BOYS ALL CAPS

BECKETT DUNNE:

Miss you

LUKE RYDER:

You doing ok?

SHANE LINDLEY:

Yeah, all good

SHANE LINDLEY:

We found a new place, so I’ve been busy packing up the house

LUKE RYDER:

When are you coming back?

BECKETT DUNNE:

Miss you

WILL LARSEN:

Dude. Stop being weird

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

---