Page 74 of Rayne

I frown at him. "Hurting all of us?"

"We've delayed several projects the past few weeks," he admits carefully. "We have workers and contractors relying on us and we haven't been there for them—at least, not how we'd like."

Guilt rolls through me but he quickly notices, shaking his head. "No regrets," Jett whispers. "We wanted to do this. But now it's time we go back to our lives. Just for now—until we're all on our feet. Then we can face the future."

Despite the pain—the awful heartbreak—I know they're right. I had finally made a decision for myself and I want to throw it away before it's even started. And not once did I stop to think about what they were sacrificing for me.

Slowly, I resign myself to defeat, nodding wistfully. "So… this is it," I murmur. "We're really saying goodbye."

"Well, not yet," Hawk says, rolling his eyes. "Not this very second. But soon—yes. We're going to help get you sorted first."

"You don't have to do that," I tell him, giving him a tiny smile. "I can do it."

"Don't be ridiculous," he shoots back. "That's what we're here for. But stop thinking about it. Let's just focus on right now."

Jett stretches his arms up. "I think we should just order dinner tonight. Maybe watch a movie and work out a plan for you."

"I've already done that," Hawk says. "I'll run you both through it tomorrow. I think you'll be quite pleased with the timeline. All that's left for you to do is pick where you want to go."

"Stanford," I answer easily. "Like Dad."

Hawk smirks. "Figured as much. I've already printed out the application process for you to look over once you have your LSAT score."

"You seem awfully confident that I'll get a decent score the first time. People study for months."

"You won't need it," Jett laughs. "You just need to familiarize yourself with the test format and work on that for a few weeks. You'll be fine—plus you know Dad will help you prepare."

I look at them both wide-eyed. "You already thought all of this through? Before I even knew I was going to do it myself?"

Hawk leans forward, kissing me. "You knew all along what you wanted. We just had to remind you."

"You had to break me," I taunt.

"It's an effective method," he remarks. "Obviously."

Jett pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around my body. "And you'll have a reminder of us," he says, reaching around my thighs to brush over their initials. "When the timing is right, we'll come find you. But it's time to live your life now."

"I want you in it," I say, relaxing back against him.

"We'll still be around," he replies lazily, drawing circles around the 'J'. "Probably more than you realize."

I laugh, looking at Hawk. "What now? You're going to stalk me in California?"

With a completely serious expression, Hawk raises his eyebrows. "Abso-fucking-lutely. We'll be watching, Tempest. Just like always."

Chapter 25

***eighteen months later***

"Are you sure about this?" Margot says nervously. "Honestly, I'm kind of doubting everything now."

"Don't be a baby," I tease, holding her hand tightly. "It's just a little sting."

She looks at me incredulously. "You're a psychopath."

"Ahh… but I'm on a path," I grin, quoting one of my favorite people.

After what seemed like an entity, Margot's schedule finally lined up with mine and she was able to come out to Stanford. In another eventful night of drinks as we made up for many missed Thirsty Thursdays, I somehow convinced her to get her first tattoo.

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