Page 159 of Wherever You Are

Connor says to Garrison, “I’ve been looking for a new investment, and I want to invest in you.”

Garrison laughs like it’s a joke. I want to whisper to him and tell him that I don’t think it is, but his face quickly falls when he sees Connor is just waiting patiently for him.

“You’re serious?” Garrison’s brows shoot up. “You want to invest inme?” He pauses. “You do know who I am, right?”

“Garrison Abbey, proficient in tech and coding. You like Tumblr, gifs, hacking, Final Cut, classic video games, and the girl sitting next to you.”

Wow…he’s good.

Garrison shrugs off his leather jacket like he’s hot with frustration. “I’m unreliable. I was kicked out of two high schools. I have no fucking plans to go to college—”

“You lack confidence, so I’ll give you some right now. You’re talented, self-motivated, and driven. If you don’t see that in yourself, open your eyes and look at what you can do. All I’m asking is for you to create something, anything, and I’ll back it.”

Garrison blinks for a long beat. Stunned and shocked. “Why?”

“I value everything I just listed, and you need someone who believes in you. Create something brilliant, Garrison, or don’t create anything at all. That’s your choice.”

Garrison stays quiet, processing. I’m doing the same. It’s a lot to digest.

Lo says, “Take it, man. The god has spoken.”

Connor grins.

Ryke groans. “Come on. He’s a fucking six-foot-four human being with good hair.”

“At least we’ve established one thing,” Connor says. “Ryke loves my hair.”

“I think you want to be fucking punched in a courthouse.”

Connor’s grin widens, but he plants his deep blue eyes back on Garrison.

My boyfriend’s brows are furrowed, still thinking over the offer, and he keeps glancing at me. The second time he does, I realize why. It didn’t really hit me until now, but if he accepts Connor’s offer, we may not see each other that much anymore.

At least not for the next four years.

My stomach is already churning, but there’s no desire to stop Garrison from this. Not for me. When he looks to me for the third time, I tell him, “Take it.” Our eyes lock in a heady beat. “You can doanything, Garrison.”

I truly, truly believe this.

Garrison looks back to Connor. “I’ll have to stay in Philadelphia?”

“Yes,” he says. “You’ve never done a start-up of any kind, and while you’re creative, you need me to teach you about business.”

Connor isn’t the type to just blindly invest in aperson. This isn’t a normal job offer, and anyone receiving it would be jumping head-first at the chance. No questions asked.

Garrison angles towards me, confusion still pleating his forehead. His eyes carry raw, hard truths.

I’ve been accepted to Wakefield University, and I’ll be leaving for London in August.

Different countries.

Different continents.

A whole ocean separating us. And I see that he wants to keep me close. I want him by my side, too. That was the plan when I chose this college. But he can’t come to London and leave behind an opportunity as great and big as this one. Working at Cobalt Inc. is the road that will lead him in the right direction. I know it.

“Take it,” I repeat, sucking in a tight breath. Pain lances me. “I just want the best for you.”This is the best.

“The best for me is to be with you.” His nose flares, restraining emotion. “I’m a better fucking person when I’m with you.” He rubs his face a couple times, trying to stop himself from crying.