Page 64 of Until Forever Falls

And I mean it. It’s not the kind of fun I thought I’d have. It’s better. This is me, here, surrounded by people I care about, feeling like I’m a part of something, instead of watching from the outside. The kind of night that doesn’t need overthinking or second-guessing, just this moment.

The mass of people grinding in sync to the music for hours is surprisingly exhilarating. The lights are low, and the DJ spins a remix of a song that sounds vaguely familiar, but the bass is too loud to distinguish it.

Brooks stands so close I can feel the heat of his body. His hands roam over waist, and instinctively, I lean into him, my hands tangling in his hair as he pulls me closer. His grip is firm, fingers pressing into the soft fabric of my dress, making everything else fade.

He shifts just enough to let his words slip through, his lips grazing the curve of my neck, breath stirring the air against my collarbone. “We could sneak out the back,” he murmurs, sending a thrill through me. “Go for a drive, just the two of us.”

“I’m gonna need a minute,” I say, trying to keep it light as I step back, fanning myself with my hand. “As much as I’d love to take you up on that, I think we should at least swing by Graham’s bonfire first.”

“I’m down for anything as long as I’m with you.” His voice is laced with something dark, yanking me through the crowd like we can’t get away fast enough.

We navigate through the dance floor, the bodies around us pressing close, everyone moving with the music. Graham suddenly appears beside us, his arm around his date—a cute brunette with a shy smile.

“Hey, man,” Brooks says, jerking his chin toward Graham, then turning to the girl. “Hey, Jules. Have you guys seen Beckett?”

Graham tilts his head toward the exit. “He just stepped outside with Colt. I think everyone’s about to head out.”

“Great, thanks.”

Before I can turn away, Jules steps in, her presence effortlessly drawing my attention. “Your dress is beautiful,” she says with an easy smile.

“Oh! Thank you.” I glance at her deep purple gown, the lace and sequins catching the light in a way that makes her glow. “Yours is stunning.”

A soft blush dusts her cheeks as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. Graham wraps an arm around her, pulling her close as they turn to leave. “We’ll see y’all out there soon. Get ready to party!” he calls back.

I watch them disappear before turning back, only to find Brooks watching me, his expression intent, like he’s barely holding back.

“What?”

“Nothing. Just come on, let’s go find your brother and let him know we’re heading out too.”

It’s a short walk to the parking lot, and I spot Beckett almost immediately. Even with his back to us, that familiar mop of black hair makes him impossible to miss. Colt stands beside him, hands stuffed into his pockets, his whole posture tight, like he’s holding something back. They haven’t noticed us yet, but from the way Beckett’s talking, I can tell it’s serious. Colt’s voice is a low growl as we near. “I’m telling you man, she deserves to know,” he reprimands. “You can’t keep it from her. You’re running out of time.”

Wait. Who? Me? What is it that I deserve to know? My anxiety flares as I glance at Brooks, who has stopped in his tracks, watching them with the same unease I suddenly feel.

Beckett turns, glancing over his shoulder, and when he sees me, his face falls. He’s not fast enough to hide the guilt, and it hits me all at once—they were talking about me. His shoulders sag like he already knows he’s lost whatever fight he was putting up.

“Dilly.”

“What is it that I deserve to know?” I ask, crossing my arms and narrowing the distance between us. The air feels heavier around me, and I prepare for news I’m afraid to hear.

Beckett steps closer, hands raised slightly, like he’s trying to calm me down before I even react. “You have to understand, I just didn’t want to hurt you.”

“Hurt me?” My voice shakes despite myself. “What secret are you keeping that would hurt me, Beckett?”

He hesitates, and the pause stretches unbearably long. “Earlier this year, I was approached about a scholarship opportunity to play for Western,” he finally admits, the words rushing out. “I didn’t tell you because, honestly, I didn’t think I’d get it. I know how badly you’ve wanted us to leave together—to get away from Mom and go back to Colorado—and I didn’t want to mess that up over something that felt like a fucking long shot. Then, when I found out I got it, I didn’t know how to bring it up. Especially after you started saving all your money from Ruby’s for us. And—” he pauses, looking almost desperate “—when you and Brooks got closer, I thought maybe…maybe you were starting to find your own way out. Your own future. Without me. And that meant I could have my own too. So…I accepted the scholarship.”

I stare at him, the admission hitting me like blows I never saw coming—each one digging deeper, leaving me bruised. “And you thought hiding it from me was the answer?”

“It was never supposed to be like this,” he reassures quickly. “I promise, Dill. It wasn’t.”

“You thought I’d be so wrapped up in whatIwanted that I couldn’t—wouldn’t—be happy for you?” My voice cracks, but I don’t care. “That I wouldn’t support you in having your own future? Do you think that little of me?”

“That’s not what I meant,” he groans, his frustration bubbling over. “You know that’s not it!”

“Then what?” I demand. “Why lie to me?”

“Because I didn’t want to fucking disappoint you!” he roars, fists gripping his hair, yanking at it like he’s trying to tear his own frustration out. “You’ve always been the one with the plan, the one who’s focused on getting us out. I didn’t want to mess that up. Before Rockport, all we ever talked about was leaving. That was the dream, Dylan. That was it for us. But now…” His words stumble, momentarily lost, before he regains them in a softer tone. “I was just scared. I know that doesn’t excuse anything, but it’s the truth. I wasn’t just afraid of not getting the scholarship—I was terrified of telling you if I did. Because it would mean leaving you behind.”

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