Page 40 of Rhys: and the girl who was always his

I pull her into a hug, and she clings to me tighter than I expected. Her body shakes in my arms, and it hits me how long she’s been holding it all in. Months. Years. Maybe her whole damn life.

“You were brave,” I tell her. “You survived. And now you get to live.”

She pulls back, wiping her face with her sleeve. “I don’t want to survive anymore, Rhys. I want tobe.”

I nod. “Then go. Be.”

Her eyes flick towards Ally, who stands off to the side, watching us with something between patience and hesitation.

Ashley exhales. “She’s always been it for you.”

I don’t deny it.

Ashley lets out a small, broken laugh. “I was the cover. She’s the truth.”

I nod slowly. “She is.”

Ashley wipes her face one more time and squares her shoulders. “I’m moving out soon.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. I need a clean start. Caitlin and I are getting a place on the other side of town. Still close. But far enough.”

I smile. “You deserve that.”

She nods, then reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Thank you. For protecting me. Even when it cost you something.”

“I’ll always protect you,” I tell her, meaning it.

Ashley smiles, then turns towards Ally.

“Go get her.”

I take a deep breath, walking towards the girl who has always had my heart.

Ally looks at me, her eyes searching. “You okay?”

I nod. “Yeah. Are you?”

“Yeah. I think so.”

We don’t say much else. There’s no need.

Because something just shifted.

And this time, it’s finally real.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

RHYS

The call comes in just after midnight.

I’m half asleep, weighed down by another relentless day of classes and work when my phone buzzes insistently against the nightstand. I almost ignore it—experience tells me nothing good ever happens this late—but then I see the name on the screen.

Arden.

I sit up in a jolt and swipe sleep from my eyes. “What?” I ask, the words rough in my throat.

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