“Is this real?”
I nod. “It is.”
“Wait,” Ozzie says. “You’re transferring?”
I set Delaney down. “Yes, but it’s more. I’m changing my name, too.”
“Wow. When do you go? We need to throw you a going away party or something,” Ozzie says.
Reed turns to him. “I’m afraid that’s not an option. They need to leave tonight. I’m supposed to drive them to the airport.”
Ozzie blinks several times. “Oh wow. That’s fast. You already have a passport?”
I pull one out of the envelope.
“Okay. Should I try to convince you to stay?” he asks. “We were going to take them all out, remember?”
I nod. “I still plan to. But this gives me more time to do it and be with her.”
“I get it,” Ozzie says. Then he pulls me in for a hug.
“I’ll see you again,” I say. “When you work with MTS.”
He pulls back. “Yeah, but it won’t be the same.”
And he’s right. Not having my best friend as my roommate or even on the same coast will be hard. “I know. But when it’s right, you have to go for it.”
He nods.
“That applies to you, too. Whatever is holding you two back, don’t let it.”
Ozzie’s brow jumps. “If Durango heard that, he’d disagree.”
“Something tells me I don’t want to hear whatever this is about,” Reed says.
I laugh. “Probably not.” I turn back to my friend. “Look, I get that he’s protective, but he’s taking it too far. You’re a good guy, and if you need me to tell him that, I will.”
“Thanks, Coff.” He steps back. “Wait, what do I call you now?”
I glance at Reed.
“Coff works. But just so you know, this is Morgan Thompson’s newest employee, Matthew Hill,” Reed says.
Ozzie smirks. “Matthew?” Then he turns to Delaney. “How about you?”
She smiles. “Jolene.”
Ozzie nods.
“Now, you are still going to see these guys, but you all should probably hold off on socializing in any way for a while. At least until Brian gives the all-clear,” Reed says.
Brian. My older brother always looking out for me.
“What about my family?” Delaney asks. “Will I ever see them again?”
Reed shoves his hands into his pockets. “I don’t know. That’s something Brian will have to answer. But you have to assume the answer is no.”
Delaney takes a deep breath and turns to me. “I can’t believe we get to leave here together. I thought this was it.”
