I don’t want to point out that I’m not her mom, and neither is she. That neither of us would abandon our children like that because honestly, I don’t know. Maybe she was suffocating here in this small town, just like I am. Just like LeAnn is. “Why didn’t you go with her?” I blurt the question out before I can reel it back in, but she doesn’t look surprised.

“I’m almost out. I have one semester left. I’m not spending it at a new high school.”

That makes sense. “You hear from any colleges?”

She’s beaming now. “I have options. Full scholarships. I’m getting out.” She shoots me a pointed look, just as Kingston’s booming voice hollers a hello from the other end of the hall. He’s hanging out with Easton and Dean, so he’ll be a minute. Her eyes meet mine. “You need to also.”

I think about the acceptance letter I got over break. The one that guarantees a fresh start and good education. A place that’s liberal and seems to be accepting of all different types of people. A full academic scholarship.

And my gut twists because it’s everything I want, except for him.

“Oh.” Her voice sounds ominous now as she leans in closer. “Watch out for Kennedy.”

“What the hell does that mean?” I ask, my heart picking up speed with nerves, just at the mention of her. “You said something like that on Christmas Eve too.”

Her eyes follow Kingston as he approaches us. “It means she wants him back. She’s freaking out about prom and graduation. Not being on his arm. She’s going to come at him hard.”

I feel sick. “He won’t go back to her.” My eyes are on him and his wide grin, his handsome face and that toned body I’ve had the privilege of having my hands all over. He’s been inside me. “He won’t.”

She laughs at that, not in a mean way, but almost like it’s inevitable. “You know what she does to him. What she’s always done.”

“Your best friend is kind of a bitch.”

“Not kind of,” she says with a smile and then blows me a kiss. “I’ll see you later. Just watch out for him.”

She waves to Kingston just as he meets us, and she heads off to class. “She okay?”

That warm, tingly feeling comes back in full force at the concern coming off him for our friend. “Yeah. She will be.”

“Good.” He leans in close, so close I can smell his bodywash, and it makes my dick take notice a little too much for school. “Please tell me you aren’t working this evening.”

I shake my head. “Nah. Mom is though. I have to watch Lucy.”