Page 76 of Why We Break

We all walk to the parking lot, saying our goodbyes before Will and I make our way over to his truck. He helps me in, and I smile as he leans in to kiss me before closing the door and coming around the truck to sit in the driver’s seat.

“You okay?” he asks, reaching over to grab my hand as he pulls out on the county road that leads to Falling Oaks. “You look like you have a lot on your mind.”

“Oh, no. I’m okay. I’m just thinking about how this all feels too good to be true,” I admit. “I mean, this is basically everything I’ve ever wanted, and I can’t help but feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

“I get it,” Will says reassuringly. “But, Han, we’ve fought like hell for this, and we deserve to be happy. Everything was broken for so long between us, and it’s hard to accept that everything’s suddenly all okay again. But I’ve thought about it, and I think this is why we break. We needed time apart to realize exactly what we meant to each other so we never take what we have for granted. But I spent the last seven years missing you, and I don’t plan to ever spend another day without you by my side.”

I take in his words, feeling some of the tightness in my chest immediately lift. “God, I love you.”

“I love you too, Han,” he says, squeezing my hand before adding. “Now, let’s get home because we still have seven years to make up for, and I don’t think I’m ever gonna have enough of you. Not to mention, we have the neediest little cow and piggy that are gonna want some cuddles when I’m done fucking you.”

I smile at that, before whispering, “You know, I can’t think of a better way to end the night.”

EPILOGUE

HANNAH

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

“Han, you’ve gotta keep your eyes closed. I swear if I find out you’re peeking…” Will growls, grabbing my arm and helping me out of the car before leading me in the direction of wherever this surprise is.

“I swear I’m not,” I promise, running a hand down my blue and white sundress and letting him steer me wherever he wants. “God, it’s hot as hell.”

“Well, babe. It’s the middle of July in South Alabama, I’m not sure what you were expecting,” Will teases, and I stick out my tongue at him, despite the fact that I know he probably can’t see it from his position behind me.

“Yeah, you’re right, but still. So are you gonna tell me where the heck we’re going?” I ask, not really caring what the answer is but knowing the question will get him riled up.

“I swear to God, woman. Have you never heard of the word surprise?” he asks, and I can’t help the laugh that spills out of me at the exasperation in his voice.

“Oh, real funny, Han,” he adds, and I can practically feel him rolling his eyes, even with the blindfold he put on me to cover my eyes. “Come on. We’re almost there.”

I continue walking wherever he’s leading me. I have no idea where the heck we are, and I’m both excited and anxious to find out what he has planned.

The last several months with Will have been incredible. A few weeks after the state championship he moved in with me, and every day I fall a little more in love with him. As an added bonus, he’s also taken on some of the farm chores, and I’ve finally stopped feeling like I’m waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under me.

It’s still hard work keeping everything afloat, but I spend a lot less time panicking and a lot more time getting lost in my own world with Will.

“Okay, we’re here. Give me just a second and let me make sure everything’s set up,” he calls out, moving away and leaving me standing alone.

I wait for a few moments and hear the sound of Will struggling with something. “Wait, what’s going on? Are you okay?” I ask, reaching up to pull off my blindfold.

“Damn it, Leroy, this is not what we practiced,” Will groans, and I look up to see the creek where we spent so many hours that summer, hiding out and making promises to each other. But this time, the bank is full of freshly cut wildflowers, some of them looking a little crumpled. Across from me, Ruby and Leroy are standing on the bank where Will’s trying to hold them back. They wiggle in his arms, clearly wanting to run in my direction, and not appreciating the way Will’s gently restraining them.

“Babe, I know you’re strong and all, but I don’t think you’re a match for the two of them,” I point out with a laugh. And it’s true. Leroy’s always been pretty impossible to restrain, and now that Ruby’s about half grown, she’s also a force to be reckoned with.

“Fine. Go on then,” he says, throwing his arms up in defeat as both of my animals scamper my way. “Hey, babies,” I coo, leaning down and patting them both.

After giving them some attention, I stand, gesturing to the flowers and the farm animals around us. “I feel like I’m missing something. What’s going on?”

“This is not how this was supposed to go,” he growls, running a hand over his face in frustration. “The flowers were no match for the wind and these feral farm animals, and Leroy was supposed to let me attach this little collar on him so he could bring you this note.”

I raise my eyebrows in surprise, holding out my hand to take the paper from him. Unfolding it, I smile at the sight of Will’s handwriting before starting to read.

Hannah,

The last few months with you have been some of the happiest of my life. I don’t know what I did to deserve another shot at a life with you, but I’ll never take it for granted.

You always know how to make even the worst days feel magical, and I’ve never met someone who works or loves as hard as you do. I can’t promise you a perfect life, but I can promise you will never find anyone else who loves you as much as I do.

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