He whispers back as Lucy watches the colorful, bright movie that easily keeps her attention over our boring conversation. “But you’ll be working and living your own life. You’ll have a full-time job.”

He snorts at me, shaking his head, still looking like I’m crazy. “She’ll have me. You know that. She can always call me, and I’ll figure it out.”

I frown. “But it’s not your responsibility. You shouldn’t have to do that.”

He gives me a pointed look. “And it’s your responsibility? Don’t worry about it.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders, and I suck in a deep breath from the contact I’ve been missing for what feels like forever. “I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

And I know he will be. I’m still not sure how I feel about that. My responsibilities shouldn’t be his, but I guess he’s kind of right—Lucy is my sister, not my kid, even though I do feel like I should help out with her as often as I can.

I feel like I’m abandoning them, and I think Kingston is reading my mind again because he pulls me to his side even more. “Hey. They’ll be okay.”

“What if they aren’t?” Fear overtakes me, and I can’t stop it. The question just comes out, but he doesn’t look surprised that I’m worried about this.

“They will be. You can’t take care of everyone else forever, Cam. You’re going to go out there in the great big world, and you’re going to live your own life. You deserve that.”

Not for the first time, I want to beg him to come with me. But I don’t. Because I can’t take that rejection. Because he doesn’t owe that to me and because he’ll be here taking care of them.

I lay my head on his shoulder, though, and breathe him in. I take that selfish moment for myself. “I’m going to miss you.”

I feel him smiling, even though I’m not looking at him. “I’m going to miss you too.”

He squeezes me tighter to him, and I let him while we watch the movie on the screen, my thoughts running wild while he laughs and sings along with Lucy.

This is really going to happen.

I’m really going to leave.

I’ve never been more afraid in my life.

35. Camden

THIRTY-FIVE

CAMDEN

It’s graduation day. Holy shit. It’s graduation day.

We made it. I listen to LeAnn’s valedictorian speech as she stands up before the crowd, talking about the future and making the world better. My eyes drift to Kingston in his black cap and gown, that great big smile on his face as he whoops and cheers for LeAnn with the rest of the crowd.