When he spoke, his voice was almost gentle. “Brianna, remember when I told you how I was in a teenage gang? We did some pretty stupid stuff—shoplifting, vandalism, beating up kids we didn’t like. I’ve smoked pot. I’ve been in court, and I’ll probably be going to AA meetings for the rest of my life. Hell, I’ve served time in jail, more than once. You know that. And you know that I was about your age when I decided to turn my life around.”

“Yes, I know all that. Why are you bringing it up now?”

“Because you’ve just made a mistake. But I’ve learned that one mistake isn’t the end of the road. It might cost you some time and cause you some pain, but you’ll survive this. We’ll survive this and move on.”

“Even if my dad loses everything he owns? Even if I have to drop out of Northwestern and they won’t let me back in?”

“Even then. And even if you don’t get that fancy red convertible your heart’s set on. I love you. Nothing’s going to change that.”

“Stop it! This sucks!”

“Life sucks.”

“What if I can’t go back to school?”

“You’ll find another school.”

“What if I can’t come back, and we never see each other again?”

“That’s enough, Brianna. We can’t control everything in our lives, but if we want to see each other again, we’ll make it happen.”

“I’m scared, Liam. Bad things happen, like my mother dying, and my dad’s accident.”

“Don’t be scared. You’re tougher than you think you are. Now get some sleep. I love you.” He paused. “While I’m thinking about it, have you told your father about us?”

“I’m just waiting for a good time.”

“This might be a good time. Goodnight, Brianna.”

He ended the call, a bit abruptly, Brianna thought. Maybe she shouldn’t have called him expecting sympathy and comfort. Maybe he was tired of her waking him up to whine in the middle of the night.

As for telling her father about their relationship, Brianna knew it was a test. He had too much honor in him to sneak around behind her father’s back. If she wanted Liam in her life she needed to show it by involving him in her family.

But what would her father have to say about her dating a long-haired, motorcycle-riding, high school dropout who worked in a garage—even if he was kind, decent, and responsible? And even if she loved him.

She undressed, brushed her teeth in the bathroom, and crawled into bed. The day had been long and miserable, and tomorrow was bound to be worse.