28. Dallas

Dallas

I t's graduation day, and I know everyone is feeling nostalgic. But me? I'm just so happy it's over. Don't get me wrong, I do have some fond memories, but I know most of my happy memories will be upcoming.

Colt, Chloe, and Christian were there to watch me get my diploma. And they're all here with me at Colt's and my new house to help me celebrate. We closed on the house last week, even though Colt was hesitant to do it before graduation.

I wanted this new chapter. It didn't take away from the day, it only added to it. The house is nice. It has a fenced-in backyard with a swing set for Christian. He even has his own room. We have a king-sized bed and a king-sized shower, so I'm absolutely happy.

Colt had barbecue catered, and we all sit around the table in the kitchen. Colt and me, Chloe, Christian, Benny, as well as Zach and Adam—who are a bigger part of our lives than I ever would have thought, but I'm happy they are here—and Chloe's boyfriend, John.

Turns out, that date was pretty good because the two of them have been inseparable ever since. It's great to see her so damn happy, and Christian seems to really love the guy. He's good with Christian too. With four younger siblings, John was already an expert at diaper changing.

I grin, thinking about how different my life is now, compared to not even a full year ago. I was so miserable. Lost in this sad spiral, never thinking I could be happy. Now, that's all I feel.

Pure happiness.

"You sure you don't have bigger plans, Benny?" I lean into my best friend and ask him quietly. "There are a lot of parties tonight." Even though Benny didn't graduate today, I know he has a lot of friends in my class who did.

He just waves me off. "Bigger plans than being with my best friend before he leaves me?"

I roll my eyes at his dramatics but can't help but smile. "I'm thirty minutes away."

"Yeah, but you won't be in school."

I nudge his shoulder affectionately because while I won't miss school, I will miss seeing Benny every day. "But you have a whole season of football and a new coach coming up."

"That's true!" Benny's eyes light up, and I can't help but laugh. Man, does he love football.

"Have you heard anything about him?"

Benny shakes his head as he starts to fill his plate with food, and everyone bustles around doing the same. "Nope. Just glad they fired Coach Assface. Whoever they replace him with will be better."

I smile at his nickname for the old coach, not feeling any love lost at him being fired. "Definitely."

Christian gets pretty excited about the food on his plate and starts babbling, drawing all of our attention to him. Zach and Adam are gazing pretty happily at him. "You want this soon?" I hear Zach ask.

Adam chuckles, but he doesn't look opposed. "Well, we kind of have our hands full with your sisters."

I know from Chloe that Adam's mom actually adopted Zach's younger sisters not too long ago because of an abusive situation they were in. I also know Zach and Adam live next door and help raise them. Zach just snorts and waves him off. "Oh please. You know you want lots and lots of kids."

"Maybe," Adam says and kisses Zach right on the mouth. It's surreal to me that they're so open with their love.

Not that they have any reason not to be, but this is Kensley. It's just like Big Bend. But they don't have to be afraid. They've found their safe space, and I've found mine.

That is a beautiful thing.

After dinner is cleaned up and everyone is gone, it's just Colt and me in our new house, sitting on our couch watching Netflix with my head on his shoulder.

I start my new job with his company next week, and I can't wait. It was never my dream to work in the oilfield, but I didn't really allow myself to have dreams before. Now I have everything I never even knew I wanted and then some.

"I love you," he says softly in my ear.

"I love you too," I say with a firm kiss on his lips and sigh with happiness.

This is exactly where I should be.

I'm out of the red zone, and I've made it. I'm finally happy. The hateful voices are so quiet now, I barely ever hear them. They're drowned out by all the love I have now.

I don't think about them. I don't feel guilt for my past and only feel hope for my future. And I'm forever grateful to Colt for loving me when I didn't love myself. For showing me I'm worthy and that I matter.

He's my whole world.

And it all started with what I thought was my biggest mistake.

Oh, how wrong I was.