Chapter 11
Idrum my fingers over the kitchen table, overwhelmed by all the possibilities before me. I drove to Atlanta this past weekend with Nicky to go to a college fair. There were representatives from over two hundred different universities. Community colleges, private or state universities—the choices were endless. I have packets from at least half of those spread out before me.
I finger the corner of an NYU pamphlet. Beck and I have talked at great length about which school we’d choose. We’d both like to major in business, so we have flexibility. The University of West Georgia seemed to be our best option—it’s only about two hours from Hope Springs, and we’d get in-state tuition. I love this town, and I especially love this ranch, but I’ve been itching for something more for years now. I want to experience life outside of small-town America. I want to know what it’s like to live in a city surrounded by millions, eating all the takeout you can imagine, exploring the arts, and experiencing various cultures. What better time to do that than your college years?
New York City was never on my radar. Still, after meeting with their admissions representative, I can’t lie to myself and say the idea doesn’t intrigue me. Honestly, it excites me. I can’t stop thinking about how much I’d be able to see and do daily. I’m torn because I thought we had this all figured out, and now I’m being pulled in a different direction.
The only thing I know for sure is that I want to be close to Beck. Not because I don’t think our relationship wouldn’t survive distance—I know it would. I just don’t want to be without him, and he feels the same way about me. We’ve been together almost every day for the past thirteen years. He’s not only my boyfriend—he’s part of my soul. Nobody knows me like Beck. He’s my best friend. My confidant. He makes me feel loved and safe. When I’m away from him for any length of time, it feels like a part of me is missing. I don’t want to dive into college with that kind of emptiness.
I look up when I hear the screen door squeak. Beck walks into the kitchen, looking gorgeous as ever in his flannel, jeans, and boots. The main house is just as much his home as mine, so knocking isn’t something he’s ever needed to do.
“Hey,” he says with a big smile.
“Hey.” I discreetly flip over the NYU brochure as I stand up to greet him with a kiss.
He looks at the pile on the table. “What’s all this?”
I know I have to approach this delicately. Beck loves everything about living here. He’s never been drawn to city living—he’d be happy staying in Hope Springs forever. The only reason he even wants to go to college is that he wants his own horse ranch one day. He’s already had all the hands-on experience he needs with the animals, but he wants to learn more about running a successful business. I don’t know what I want to do after school, but a business degree is transferable, so I figured it’s not a bad way to go.
I follow his eyes to the table. “I brought home a bunch of stuff from the college fair I went to with Nicky.”
“Why? We already know where we’re going. I thought you only went so she didn’t have to make the drive by herself.”
“Well, that’s how it started. But there were hundreds of schools there, and some of them seem amazing, Beck. It wouldn’t hurt to have options, right?”
He frowns. “What’s going on, Pres? Are you changing your mind?”
“No! Not exactly, anyway. But what if we went out of state? Don’t you think it could be fun?”
“I don’t know,” he says. “I thought we decided to stay close to family. And staying in-state is a lot cheaper.”
I shrug. “It’s not like we’d be leaving forever.”
He scrubs a hand over his face. “Where are you thinking? Did any of them stand out more than the others?”
I take a deep breath and pick up the NYU pamphlet. “This one.”
“New York City? Are you shittin’ me, Presley? Why would you ever want to go there?”
“Why not? It could be fun.”
“Yeah, if you like concrete,” he mutters. “Or getting mugged.”
“Beckett, I’m serious. Think of all the things we could experience. Would you at least consider it?”
He eyes the brochure like it’s coated in anthrax and releases a big sigh. “Yeah, Pres. I’ll think about it.”
I hand it to him and lift on my toes to place a kiss on his lips. “I love you.”
He pulls me into his strong arms and rests his chin on the top of my head. “I love you too, darlin’. More than anything.”