"I want you to move in with me," August stated casually the following day.

He and Josie were sitting at the top of their favorite hike, the one they went to when they first met. It had a special place in both of their hearts now.

Josie honestly didn't know what to say. They had only been dating for a month, but at the same time it had been the best month of her life. She finally felt like she had companionship, a friend and a partner.

"But you live between two houses, and my job is here," she said back.

August took a deep breath. His thoughts running deep through his head. He could definitely work full time from the house here, that way Josie could still work if she desired. Max and Levi were in the city though.

"You haven't really thought about it, have you?" she whispered, taking a drink of water.

"I suppose not. I just hate being away from you. I hate the distance, even if it's only an hour. If something were to happen to you, it would take me too long to get to you."

"This is about yesterday," Josie said, finally understanding.

"What if I hadn't been there? Would you have said something?" August asked her.

Josie furrowed her brows, "I don't think I would have." She hated conflict.

"And if he tried to touch you? Would you have said something then?" His tone was a bit accusatory, and it stung a bit.

"You think I would have just let it happen? I'm not going to create a problem out of nothing, and you shouldn't be making up these what if scenerarios in your head," Josie said, standing up and brushing off the dirt from her pants. "Let's hike back down. I want to go home."

She walked off without giving him a chance to reply. She was hurt that he started the conversation by asking her to move in with him. It was something she secretly wanted, but to find out it was only because he saw her as a useless girl who wouldn't stand up for herself cut deeply.

She felt the pressure of tears behind her eyes, blurring her vision. Before she knew it, she had tripped on a tree root that was sticking out of the ground.

She hit the ground hard, landing on knees. The force of her body weight crushing her hand awkwardly. She let out a cry of pain, the tears finally falling.

"Dammit, Josie," August said, rushing to her side. He made note that she walked fast when she was upset, not to mention all of the stuff she had left behind on purpose to delay him. "Are you hurt?" he asked, pushing her gently so she was sitting on her butt.

He took in her jeans. One knee had torn and the skin was scraped but not bad.

"My hand," she cried, painful, large tears falling onto her cheeks. She was holding her right wrist to keep the hand still, her fingers already beginning to turn blue.

"Can you wiggle your fingers?" he asked, heart pounding anxiously in his chest. This was all his fault. If only he wasn't such an asshole. She was going to leave him after this.

She shook her head no, letting out a quiet sob.

"Alright, baby. Let's get you up so we can get that checked out," August murmured. He didn't know how he could help her stand without causing her more pain. They still had quite a ways to hike.

Once she was standing, they slowly made their way down.

"It hurts, August," she said pitifully, breaking his heart into a million pieces.

"I know, but you're doing so good. Do you want me to carry you?" It would be awkward since her right arm would be pressed to his chest if he carried her bridal style. He couldn't carry her like a monkey because she couldn't hang on. It wasn't like she could hold her arm completely still when walking anyway. August felt helpless and guilty.

Josie nodded her head, feeling like an idiot. She didn't have to go storming off. August was a very reasonable guy. There hadn't been a time where they couldn't work something out.

He did his best to scoop her up. She placed her arm between their bodies, resting her injured hand on her stomach.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was still upset about yesterday, not until I started talking about it. I wasn't accusing you of anything. I don't think you're helpless, you're very much the opposite, but you bring out my protective instincts and the distance only amplifies that. I genuinely want you to move in with me. I want to spend every possible minute with you. I feel so guilty about your hand. I understand if you hate me," August ranted, trying to get the words off his chest but also to distract her from the pain.

"I don't hate you, I could never. I was stupid and not paying attention. I shouldn't have left you behind. I was only hurt because I very much want to move in with you," she mumbled, squeezing her eyes shut to block out the pain. She was certain she was going to either throw up or pass out or both. She didn't even want to know what her hand looked like.

August was relieved, but still so guilty. If only he could have moved a little faster. He would make this right.