Page 106 of Fault Line

Finally, I click on the last remaining portal. This one is for Coastal’s program, where I’ve always envisioned myself attending. As the page loads, I know it in my heart even before I see it—it’s another acceptance.

“Hell yeah.” Holden hugs me again, his pride for me clear on his face. “I knew you could do it. Smartest fucking woman I know.”

Initially, I’m overjoyed by the news. But as the excitement fades away, a new wave of anxiety washes over me. Now that I’ve been accepted into all three schools, I have to make a decision—a decision that will impact not only my future in academia but also my future relationship with Holden.

The out-of-state school offers the most scholarship money, which would mean I wouldn’t have to rely on my parents for financial support. But it’s also the furthest away from him.

As I weigh my options, I think about making a compromise. It’s never been my desire to put a man’s needs before my own, to be someone’s trophy wife. To sit on a shelf and make my decisions based around someone else’s desires.

I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that, per se, but it doesn’t align with the plans I’ve always had for myself, for my future. I’ve been determined to put my own ambitions and dreams first. But now, faced with the reality of our relationship, I wonder if compromise isn’t such a bad thing.

If choosing a school that’s closer to Holden—and his future with the Tornadoes—might be the best option for both of us.

He must sense my inner turmoil because he gently takes my hand, eyes filling with concern. “What’s wrong?”

I hesitate for a moment before I determine that it’s best to be honest and up-front, laying all my concerns on the table from the beginning. “I know I still have a few weeks to decide, but I’m struggling with my options here. I don’t want to base my decision wholly on our relationship, but I also don’t want to be apart from you any more than I have to.”

“I get that, Kaia.” He squeezes my hand. “It’s a tough decision to make. But whatever you choose, just know that I’ll support you one hundred percent. Of course I want you to be closer to me. But mostly, I want you to be happy and to follow your dreams, just like I’m following mine. We’ll make it work, no matter the distance.”

His words curb my anxiety, and I lean into him, grateful for his unwavering support. “Thank you, Beck. It means a lot to hear you say that.”

As I consider my options, I find myself gravitating toward Dayton. It wasn’t my first choice all along, but I was impressed by what they had to offer at the symposium. And it’s not only closer to the city—which means I’d be closer to Holden’s home base—but it also offers everything I want in a school.

Based on the hours I spent combing through their website, they appear to have a strong academic program, diverse research specialties, and the opportunity to make valuable connections in my field. The only thing Dayton doesn’t have is Dr. Khatri, but I’m almost certain I can find another professor to latch onto.

It feels like the perfect compromise, a way to prioritize my ambitions without sacrificing my relationship with the man I love.

“I’m gonna put a deposit down with Dayton,” I finally tell him, my voice steady and full of conviction.

“Not Coastal?”

“Nah, it’s about time for me to get some distance from Boyer, anyway,” I tell him, feeling satisfied with my decision. “Besides, I’ll still be close enough to home, to Elio, to Amber Isle.”

With a warm smile gracing his lips, he pulls me in for another hug. “I’m so fucking proud of you, baby. I know you’re going to do amazing things there, and I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.”

As we sit there, wrapped up together, I feel a sense of utter peace. Contentment like I’ve never felt before. It’s true that our lives are about to change drastically, with Holden’s burgeoning athletic career and my own academic pursuits, but I have faith in our ability to make it work, no matter what.

“You want to know what else I’ve been thinking about lately?” I ask, snuggling in closer.

He chuckles, his chest vibrating against my cheek. “Probably a million things all at once.”

“Well, yeah,” I admit. “But I mean, in particular . . . I’ve been thinking about how I wanted to be the first one to say I love you, but then you beat me to it.”

“Oh, of course you did,” he teases, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Come on, Beck. I don’t mean it in a competitive way.”

“You sure about that?”

“Okay, well, maybe that played a tiny, minuscule part in it. But mostly, after everything, I just wanted to make sure you knew I wasn’t simply parroting your feelings. That I really fucking mean it when I say the words. And even if you didn’t love me back, or you weren’t the one to tell me first, I’d still say them anyway.” I smooth my hands across my thighs. “What I’m trying to say is that I really, really like youandI love you, so much more than I ever hated you.”

His brows shoot up in mock surprise. “You hated me?”

“No, but I tried to tell myself I did,” I say with a self-deprecating laugh. “I don’t think you’re supposed to think about someone you hate that often. And I especially don’t think you’re supposed to have dirty dreams about them.”

A smirk forms on his lips. “You dreamed about me, Karras?”

I roll my eyes, the heat rising in my cheeks. “Only a couple of times. Completely against my will.”

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