Chapter 8

Dawson knew it was time to go. He felt the weight of the years since high school pushing on his chest and he wanted to focus on them, not their bullies. He turned to her with a hopeful look in his eyes and said, “Do you wanna get out of here? Maybe go back to the hotel and grab a drink and talk?” A relieved smile spread across her face as she replied, “I’d love to.”

Dawson grabbed her hand and interlaced their fingers. He glanced back at the reunion taking place inside, barely registering it as he focused on getting her away from that environment. He gestured for her to enter his car with a courtly bow, then slid into his own seat and revved the engine to life. The wheels of the car spun against the gravel as they pulled out of the parking lot, watching the dust clouds dissipate behind them.

Dawson felt the electric current of suspense zapping through him as he drove. Dawson gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. The car seemed to hum in harmony with the pounding of his heart as he drove through the city streets. He had been away from Maci for so long and a wave of emotions came over him - nervousness, fear, excitement, and hope. He didn’t know what to expect.

The car was stuffy, the tension between them palpable. He was unable to tear his eyes away from her while she stared out the window. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. There was so much left unsaid, and yet beneath it all he could feel a heavy dread waiting to claim him should he dare to say those words.

Dawson steered the car into the parking lot and found an empty space. Maci remained quiet. He twisted the key, and the engine sputtered to a halt. With each passing second, his heartbeat got louder and beads of sweat rolled down the back of his neck. Maci’s eyes glistened, but still no words were spoken. The silence was deafening and had a vice grip on his heart.

Maci lifted her gaze, her deep emerald eyes meeting his. A rush of emotion washed over him as he saw the vulnerability in her expression and the spark of hope in her eyes. As their stares locked together, it was almost as if time had stopped and the world around them melted away. This night would decide the fate of their relationship - or lack thereof - either they would risk stepping forward into the unknown, or turn back and stay safe.

Dawson swallowed, his throat feeling parched. He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again, unsure of how to begin. He knew this was the moment- the moment when he had to admit to himself what he wanted, what he wanted for them, and to ask himself if he was ready to make the leap of faith and find out what could come next.

And so, with a deep breath, he finally spoke. “Maci... there’s a lot of things to talk about, but I just wanted to ask- are you... are you ready to talk about where we go from here?” He held her gaze, his eyes searching hers, his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

Maci smiled and nodded. “Yes. I think I am.” She reached out, taking his hand in hers, and he felt a surge of relief wash through him.

With that, they got out of the car and headed inside to the hotel bar. They ordered their drinks and made their way to a table in the corner. They both sat down, the silence between them thick and heavy, but also strangely comforting. They each took a sip of their drinks, and then looked at each other, their eyes locking.

He knew he had to ask. He had spent too much time in the darkness, too much time hiding behind his guarded heart- and now it was time to buck up and ask that was burning in their minds.

“Where do we go from here?” he said. “Now that I know you have... feelings for me, too. It’s easier for us to talk about what we’re both thinking. I want a nice home, a marriage, kids— all of those things. But we take that next step and decide if, after all these years, we want to go down that road together.”