“You can. And you will. You’re his mom. Be his mom.” I stand up, my voice wobbling because this isn’t fucking fair. I want to fix this for him. “He was so happy today. And then, he wasn’t. He was so broken and sad because he thinks he has to stay here. You can’t do that to him.”

“What about you?”

I fold my arms over my chest, looking at her, sitting in her chair. “What do you mean?”

“You’re really going to let him go? You think he’s going to be able to walk away?”

I drop my arms and stand taller. “I love him. I always have, and it’s what’s best for him. So yes, I’ll let him go, and you need to as well. If you need help, I’ll be here. But you need to be the mom for once.”

“Hey.” She tries to get defensive, but I shake my head.

“No. You need to, and you know it. You haven’t been fair to him. And you know that too.”

She doesn’t argue. Just nods her head solemnly, and I go back inside. When I reach Camden’s bedroom, I strip out of my t-shirt and jeans. I climb into bed with him, wearing my boxer briefs and cuddling up to his body.

I hold him and listen to his steady breaths, knowing tomorrow is going to be hell for him. Hangovers are brutal without all the added stress. And I just hope his mom does the right thing.

He needs this chance, and I’ll make sure he gets it, whether she does or not.

37. Camden

THIRTY-SEVEN

CAMDEN

My head is going to explode. Holy fuck.

I sit up slowly, a low groan falling from my throat that I barely recognize. I turn to my left to see Kingston passed out next to me, drooling on my pillow, and I smile.

It’s brief, but it’s a smile. God, he’s so fucking beautiful.

And he stayed with me. I don’t know how I got back here, but I’m assuming it was my best friend. I climb out of bed as carefully as I can, so I don’t wake him and also so I don’t throw up everywhere. Then I stumble out into the hall.

I’m still in my clothes from yesterday, except my shoes were removed.

When I get into the kitchen to search for some pain relievers, I see my mom sitting at the kitchen table. Her eyes are red and puffy, like she’s been crying all night and not sleeping. “Mom?”

She looks up at me, and I must look like shit, too, because her eyes widen. “Oh, honey. Are you okay?”