Page 113 of His Heart

I couldn’t help but grin a little. On to practical matters. That was my dad. “I’ve applied to Virginia Tech, University of Texas, and University of Michigan.”

Mom’s mouth hung open, her worry lines deepening.

“Mom,” I cut in before she could say anything. “I know, they’re far away. But they’re the best fits.”

“You’ve already applied,” Dad said. It was more a statement than a question.

“Once I made the decision, I was all in,” I said.

Dad chuckled. “Of course you were. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“Oh, Sebastian,” Mom said.

Dad put his hand over hers. “He’ll be fine. Look at him. You wanted our son back. I’d say we got him, and then some.”

It felt damn good to hear him say that. “Thanks, Dad.”

“What about your girlfriend?” Dad asked, and Mom looked down at the table. “She going with you?”

I knew they’d ask about Brooke, and I didn’t have a good answer. I hated living without her. It felt wrong down to the very core of my being. And the longer I went without seeing her, the more I started to wonder if she was ever going to come around.

I’d tried to imagine moving away without her. Going to school in another city and leaving her behind. The problem was, without her, all my plans fell apart. All my dreams and aspirations had her in them.

“I’m not sure,” I said, and it was the honest truth.

“All right,” Dad said. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I was looking forward to having you close by. But I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

After dinner, I drove home with a full stomach—and half a cheesecake I knew Charlie would devour. I felt good about the way I’d left things with my parents. They’d hugged me at the door, and both of them had told me again that they were proud of me.

But the closer I got to Iowa City, the deeper my sense of unease grew. I’d been making sure Brooke wasn’t out doing anything that would get her hurt—or worse—and so far she hadn’t done anything crazy. At least, not that I knew of. But her silence was painful. I was starting to look at the future with a new sense of who I was, and who I was going to become. But none of it mattered without her.

I didn’t love her because of some weird transplant phenomenon. It wasn’t like the random cravings I got for peach iced tea. But there was an element I couldn’t explain. Liam’s heart had recognized hers the day we met.

But the bond we’d forged was ours. It was built on the ashes our former lives—our former selves. We were two people who had been through fire. We’d suffered pain, tragedy, and loss. And yet, in the aftermath, we’d found each other. And as far as I was concerned, a life lived together was the only option.

She had my heart, and she always would. It had belonged to her before it had belonged to me. It belonged to her still. I just hoped she’d realize it before it was too late.

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