he’s sleeping.”
Wow, this is awkward. I assumed he was out of town again. Sarah too. But here he is, smiling at me knowingly.
“Relax, Kennedy. It’s good to see you here. We’ve all been worried about Conner.” He and Cole share a look.
“He’s okay,” I say. “I think we’re going to be okay.”
“I’m pleased to hear it. Although I’d appreciate it if you could give him a push to send off those college applications before he misses all of the deadlines.”
“I’m working on it.” I accept the mug of coffee Hadley hands me. “Thanks.”
She gives me a warm smile.
“We’re actually going to Colton this weekend to check out some apartments. You guys should come,” she says.
“Yeah?”
“Sounds good to me,” Cole agrees.
“Do you have plans for after graduation, Kennedy?” James asks.
“I haven’t given it much thought.” I can’t afford tuition, and my grades aren’t good enough for a scholarship.
“Well, you should think about it. I imagine Conner will want you close by, whenever he figures out his plan.”
I duck my head, heat creeping into my cheeks.
“Speak of the devil,” Cole says.
I feel Conner before I see him. He wraps an arm around my waist and lowers his mouth to my ear. “You were gone.”
“I needed coffee.” I lift my mug.
“It’s good to see you smiling, Son.”
“Yeah, well, I have a lot to smile about.” He nuzzles my neck, and I elbow him in the stomach.
“Conner, we have company.”
“So?”
“Interesting fact, Dad.” Cole smirks. “Ask Conner how classes were yesterday.”
“Oh dear Lord, what happened now?”
“Trust me, Dad,” Conner says, “you don’t want to know.”
“Please try and avoid stirring anymore trouble with Principal Vager. He already gets enough of my money.”
“At least we’re graduating soon,” Cole says, “and then you’ll be free of us and all the drama that comes with us being here.”
“Cole,” sadness clings to James’ words, “you know I don’t feel like that.”
Hadley catches my eye, and I know I’m not the only who feels like a voyeur looking in on their intimate moment.
“Something smells good.” Ace and Remi enter the kitchen through the back door. They’re already dressed for school.
“Hmm, pancakes?” Remi goes straight for the plate. “Where’s my mom?”
“She’s still sleeping. We had a late night.” James tugs at his collar.
“Whoa, too much information.” Remi balks.
“Thank fuck we’re in the pool house,” Ace grumbles.
“Yes, well... I should probably be going. I have a breakfast meeting. Try and stay out of trouble please.”
“Roger that.” Conner salutes his dad, tucking me into his side as he guides me over to the kitchen island.
James leaves and Cole lets out a heavy sigh. “Is anyone else picturing all kinds of wrong things right now?”
“Do you think my mom is okay?” Remi frowns. “She doesn’t usually miss work.”
“Maybe she can’t walk.” Conner howls with laughter.
“Oh my God, don’t say that.” She gags. “Why would you say that? Now all I can think about is them... doing it.”
“James and Sarah, fucking in a tree... f-u-c-k—”
I clap a hand over Conner’s mouth, fighting a smile. He’s happy this morning, lighter. Hopefully it means we’ve turned a corner. Although as I sit there with my boyfriend’s brothers and their girlfriends, eating breakfast, I can’t help but think it’s the calm before the storm.
Because nothing this good lasts forever.
We manage to stay in school for the whole day. We spend every second we can making out, in the hall up against the locker banks, in the cafeteria to the moans and groans of Cole, Ace, and the girls. Conner even sneaks us into the closet again and makes me come all over his tongue.
Lylah and Marissa and their bitch crew watch us, their lips twisted with disgust. But I ignore them. Nothing is going to spoil this.
Hadley waits for me at the end of the day to walk back to the dorms together.
“Are you excited about the weekend?” she asks me.
“Yeah, I’m hoping it’ll give a Conner a push to make a decision about college.”
“You know, he’s probably waiting for you to figure out what you want.”
“College isn’t in the cards for me, Hads.” My stomach knots. “I can’t afford it.”
“You know James would—”
“He’s already done too much. I can’t take anything else from him. It doesn’t feel right. Besides, I’ve never really wanted to do the whole college thing. I think I’ll be happy getting a job, or maybe doing something vocational at community college.”
“I love working at Java Beans. Maybe I can ask Hilary if she could find you a couple of shifts?”
“You don’t have to do