The two of us remain on the mattress, laying side by side. Cruz's words hang in the air like an omen.

I'll go back home.

Whatever happened to fighting for our futures together?

Or has he been planning to ditch me from the moment we left Ron's house?

I feel betrayed. Duped. Every instinct rejects his unthinkable idea. "You're not going back to Ron. End of story."

Cruz shifts a little. His shoulder touches mine. I can feel the tension radiating from his muscles. Quietly, he starts to protest, "But I've already decided—"

My head snaps toward him. Desperation catches in my throat as I cut him off, rushing to say in a choked-up manner, "I-I love you too much, Cruz Recker, to ever let you go back to your dad."

Even now, he's refusing to look my way. Dismay tightens around my chest, gripping my heart in a godawful vice. This agonizing disconnect between us is crushing me. A need to reconnect claws through me.

A wince passes over Cruz's handsome face as though he hates the idea of going back home, too.

Yet, what he might be feeling inside and how he actually responds to me are in direct opposition to one another. "You don't have to worry about me."

I stare at him in disbelief. "How can you say that after everything we've been through?"

"Because I want what's best for you and your sister."

"Even if you're not with us?"

A frown weighs down the edges of my mouth as understanding settles in. I adore and resent him for trying to play the hero. I don't need him to be selfless. I just need him to be with us.

Jutting out my chin, I challenge, "Do you even know what I want, though?"

"You want a family, right? A real home? Like the one you had before your mom passed away?"

My eyes widen because he's... right. Even now, my heart aches for everything Cruz just described to me.

How did he know?

"Give Nascha a chance, okay?"

His request catches me somewhat off guard. I'm still conflicted over my great aunt's offer to adopt Persie and me. "I don't know if I can trust her."

"She might surprise you. In a good way."

"What about school?"

"You can miss a few days."

Softly, I insist, "But there's no way I'm leaving you behind. No matter where I go, you need to be part of my life."

Cruz carries on as though he didn't hear me, "She's your family, though. I think... you'll regret it if you walk away without, at least, trying to get to know Nascha better."

I guess he has a valid point. But I'm not ready to give in. "Just because we're related doesn't mean she's family. What if Nascha ends up being a disappointment... like my dad?"

"Then we'll figure something else out."

My expression crumples slightly. "Like what?"

The distress in my voice seems to grab his attention. His face tilts toward me. Finally. Our gazes linger, but he stays silent.

I cough. "Cruz?"

"Hmm?"

I brought you into this world.

Ron's final words to us echo in my mind like an omen.

I can take you out of it.

Maybe he wasn't blowing off steam. Cruz's life might be in real danger if he goes back home.

I argue brokenly, "Even if we end up sleeping on a park bench for a few days, you can't live with your dad anymore. You just... can't. Okay?"

Cruz doesn't answer me, though, and simply says, "Hear me out first. Please?"

The unyielding look on his face makes me want to cry. "I already know that Ron is nothing but bad news. I bet he's dying to put you in your place. Especially after you stood up to him for the first time. I just know it. Your dad will hurt you, Cruz, if you go back to him."

His eyes lock onto mine, intense and gleaming with resolve. "I won't let him touch me."

"How can you be so sure?"

Cruz's jaw ticks. "I'm not afraid to beat his ass again."

I suddenly remember the locked safe in Ron's study. I think he owns a gun.

Fucking hell.

Worry after worry buzzes through me as I protest, "But that's no fucking way to live! You shouldn't feel threatened in your own home. Ever."

Cruz reaches over to cup my cheek. His palm cradles the side of my face. "Athena, I promise you, I'm gonna be fine."

I know he's trying to comfort me, but it's not working. Anxiously, I offer, "I can ask Nascha to let you stay with us! If my great aunt is really as good of a person as she seems to be, then she won't turn you away, especially if we tell her about how batshit crazy your dad can be. It'll be a good test of her character. If she says 'no' to you, then I won't feel bad walking away from her at all."

His hand falls away, and, instantly, I miss his touch. "I can't let you do that."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not Nascha's problem, it's not a fair ask, and, knowing my dad, he'll probably sic his lawyers on her."

"For what?"

"I don't know. Kidnapping a minor? Or some made-up shit like that. Trust me, he'll find a way to fuck her over. Just like he fucked over my mom."

I gasp, "Ron can't do that! Can he?"

His expression darkens considerably. "As far as I know, he's capable of anything. Don't forget. My dad has legal custody over me until I turn eighteen, and he isn't afraid to play dirty. The man hates losing control. He always has to win."

"He can't control you if you're not living under his roof!"

"Except... he can. That's why I didn't take any valuable shit from the house. Like my Xbox. Or iPad. I didn't want to give him the chance to report stolen property."

Understanding locks in place. "Shit."

Cruz doesn't hesitate to point out, "He already has the upper hand. My dad knows you mean something to me. He found us in bed. In your room. By now, he's probably realized that we ran away together. I'm sure he'll use you against me. I-I don't think it's a good idea for you to be around me until I sort shit out with my dad."

It hits me, then, that Cruz has already thought about this whole situation from way more angles than me. And my man doesn't believe he has a choice where Ron is concerned.

But I refuse to give up. I'm determined to make him see things my way. "Instead of going back to your dad's house, what if you move to Flagstaff on your own?"

"Athena..."

I haven't even made up my mind about my great aunt, but I start talking as though I've already decided to move in with her, "You don't have to live with us if you're afraid of getting Nascha in trouble. I'm sure we can help you find a place to stay. Maybe Nascha can co-sign an apartment lease with you until you turn eighteen?"

"Just... stop. Please. Don't make this any harder than it has to be," Cruz mumbles. "I have to go back to Scottsdale for now, okay?"

"Why, though?"

Why is he so obsessed with running back to his old, fucked up life?

I really don't understand where he's coming from. It simply doesn't make any sense.

Cruz gives a troubling pause. "Because... I'm scared, Athena."

I reach for his hand, clasping it tightly. "Don't be. I'm here, baby. As long as we're together, there's nothing that we can't handle—"

All of a sudden, his arms come around me as he crushes me to his chest. He buries his face into my hair and groans, "God, I never want to let you go."

My hands slide around his waist, hugging him close. "Then... don't. Stay with me, baby."

"I wish I could."

Feeling confused and scared, I cling to him as though my life depends on it. "Why are you talking like we're about to break up?"

He starts rambling, and it's like we're not even in the same conversation, "I can't transfer to another school halfway through senior year. It might jeopardize my chances of getting into a good college."

College?

That's what he's worried about?

I pull away from him slightly. "You... won't come to Flagstaff because you don't wanna switch schools?"

Cruz coughs. "I mean, it's not the only reason, but, yeah, getting into the right college is really important to me."

My emotions start going haywire.

Before, I thought that Cruz only tried so hard in school because his dad kept pushing him to excel. Right then, I start second-guessing everything.

What if, earlier, Cruz wasn't trying to be a hero at all?

Maybe this isn't about protecting Nascha and me from his dad.

Maybe he just wants to get away from... me?

Panic surges once more. For a drawn-out second or two, I can't envision how Persie and I fit into Cruz's plan. An irrational fear seizes me. It makes me think that Cruz will outgrow us once he leaves for college. He's always been too good for me, after all. His future would shine brighter without Persie and me there to dim his light.

I hate the helplessness in my voice when I whisper, "You told me once that you wanted to stay together. Did you change your mind?"

"The fuck are you talking about, Athena?"

My insecurities get the better of me. In a faint voice, I mumble, "It's okay if you did. Just be honest. I can take a hint."

Cruz shoots me an incredulous look and insists, "I am trying to stay together! Don't you see?"

Shaking my head, I give him a tight smile. "It feels more like you're trying to get away from me."

As these words slip from my tongue, a fire sparks in Cruz's green eyes. His voice comes alive, brimming with rage and passion, "What you're saying couldn't be further from the truth!"

"So... you still want me?"

"More than anything."

"You sure have a funny way of showing it," I grunt with a skeptical frown.

In heated tones, Cruz fires back, "If I can't get my shit together, how am I going to take care of you and your sister? I'm a seventeen-year-old nobody, Athena. I need to make something of myself first. I need to go to college and graduate and get a kickass job so that I can give you the life that you and Persie deserve. I never want to be in a position where I have to answer to some shithead like my dad just to protect what's mine!"

The passion in his voice shakes me to my core. My heart swells with love even while my brow creases with worry. I'm legit trembling as relief sinks in. He doesn't want to break up. Thank fuck. But Cruz is also wrong on so many levels. He's trying to carry the world on his shoulders. Even Superman would buckle under the weight of it all.

Tears sting the back of my eyes at the realization of how much he cares for me. But I don't let them fall. I don't think anyone will ever love me like Cruz. For him, I need to become stronger than I've ever been. Life has been some kind of hell over the past few weeks. Starting with Chrissa and Brody. Bumping into Suzie at her brother's party. Leading up to Cruz and me becoming kind of homeless.

But I've survived everything so far, somehow.

Nascha gives me hope.

Maybe that's the whole fucking point?

To get up, again and again, and keep moving forward. No matter how many times life tries to knock the shit out of us.

Summoning my courage, I gaze at Cruz intently. "You don't have to take care of Persie or me. You know that, right? We're supposed to take care of each other."

He leans over to kiss me. Soft. Gentle. Loving. The brush of his lips on mine warms my soul. "But I want to take care of you. I want to give you everything. I just need a little more... time."

I kiss him back. "I don't need everything. All I need is you."

Cruz releases a helpless groan. "Athena... can't you see? You already have me, and this is me... fighting. For us. For you. But I gotta sort some shit out first."

A tremble clings to my lower lip. "I can't figure out what you're really thinking, and it makes me wanna cry."

He brushes his thumb across my lip to soothe the quiver. "I only want to make you smile. Please trust me, baby."

I relent hoarsely, "I'll try."

His expression softens. "Before you, nothing mattered. Everything was just... noise. So much fucking noise. My dad. My mom. My teachers. My coaches. Even my friends at school who thought they knew me but didn't know shit. All I wanted was for everyone to shut up and leave me the hell alone. But, now, I'm gonna take the world by the balls and make it my bitch. I'm ready to fucking play. Because I know what's waiting for me at the end of this game. It's you, Athena. You're endgame."

I'm his... endgame?

My heart can't take it. I don't know how to feel. I beyond touched. I'm also all torn up because I so desperately want him to be telling the truth. "Baby..."

Cruz grimaces. "We'll only be separated for a while, I promise. Once I turn eighteen, I swear I'm leaving Scottsdale and never looking back. Wherever I go, my dad won't be able to touch us. I'll make damn sure of it."

"If you go back to your dad's house, I'm going with you."

"If you give up your chance to live with Nascha, I'll never forgive myself."

I insist again, "Then stay with me."

Cruz sighs, "I dunno..."

I can tell his resolve is beginning to waver, so I press harder, "Let's go talk to Nascha again. Together. I'm sure we can work something out."

"You think so?"

"I do."

His eyes flicker. "Fine. I'll stay. For now."

My eyes light up. "No way. Really?"

Damn.

This almost feels too easy.

He smiles crookedly. "Really."

"So... you'll come with me? To figure out a new plan with Nascha? Tomorrow?"

Cruz hesitates. "Yeah... I guess so. But only under one condition."

I frown. "Which is?"

"No matter what happens with Nascha tomorrow, I want you to give your great-aunt a fair shot. Okay?"

"Okay."

He urges, "Promise me, Athena."

"I... promise."

Before Cruz can change his mind, I grab my phone to text my great-aunt. A minute later, she responds, agreeing to meet us again tomorrow morning.

Then, happily, I lean over to rain kisses all over Cruz's face. "Everything's gonna work out, baby. I just know it."

Gently, he reaches over to tuck a strand of my dark, wavy hair behind my ear. "I hope so."

I study him for a minute. There's still a tense, withdrawn look on Cruz's face. I want to kiss away his distress. Better yet, I want to give him an afternoon that'll make us forget everything that's bringing us down. I decide it's time for a change of scenery. "This motel room is depressing as fuck. Come on, let's get outta here!"

I grab Cruz and pull him out of bed. He grunts, "Where did you wanna go?"

"Doesn't matter," I reply sincerely, "as long as I'm with you."

This finally puts a grin on Cruz's face.

We spend the rest of the afternoon driving around downtown Flagstaff, taking in the sights. Cruz and I tour the NAU campus. We stroll hand in hand. It's lovely. Calming. Full of old red brick buildings and grassy lawns. Surrounded by trees. I can't help but imagine what it might be like to be a student here.

As the sun begins to set, Cruz takes me to dinner at a nearby pizza place called Fat Olives. Over dinner, we make small talk and my imagination begins to wander.

What if Cruz and I could go to college?

Together?

Our future feels so bright and full of possibility. I'm in a ridiculously good mood by the time we go back to the motel.

As we climb into bed together, Cruz says in a voice that melts me, "I love you, Athena."

"Love you, too," I whisper back.

That night, I fall asleep in Cruz's arms, feeling like all is right in the world.

When I wake up the next morning, however, my peace of mind doesn't last. Something feels wrong. Cruz's side of the bed is empty.

Frantically, I sit up on the mattress and call out, "Baby?"

No answer.

Scanning our motel room, I stumble out of bed to look for him. He's not in the bathroom. His backpack and suitcases are nowhere in sight. The only thing he left behind are the keys to my dad's Kia. It hits me, then.

Cruz never changed his mind about going back to Scottsdale.

Trying not to freak out, I pull out my phone. That's when I see the text waiting for me. It's from Cruz: I only want what's best for you and Persie. Please give Nascha a chance, and don't worry about me. I love you, Athena. Even if you don't believe me after what I've done. I'll call you soon.

His message sends my pulse into a frenzied state. My phone drops from my hand, landing on the dirty carpet with a soft thud. Everything feels cold and dark, all of a sudden. In my head, I can understand where he's coming from, but my heart reacts in an entirely different manner. My feelings for Cruz are waging war.

I love him so much. For the boy he is right now. For the man he wants to become.

But I also hate that he left me behind.

The message is crystal clear: Cruz doesn't want to live with Nascha. He isn't even giving me a chance to ask my great aunt to take him in. I pray that he's only trying to protect us from Ron's wrath.

I can't help but worry.

What if he finally wised up and changed his mind about dating a bitch with too much fucking baggage?

A bitch like me.