I don’t know what makes me do it, but I cup her cheek like I used to. “You ruined me, and I don’t even fucking care.” I lower my mouth to hers as a tear tips over her lid.

When our lips meet, it’s like being thrown back ten years into the past. Like there’s never been a single moment in time that she hasn’t been mine. My need for her is still as strong as ever. She’ll never be out of my blood.

Whitney shoves at my chest and tears out of my arms. “Don’t. I can’t.”

She runs for the parking lot, and I remember that my mother is awaiting paramedics.

I’m a shitty son.

Regardless of what happens to my mother, as I watch Whitney run from me again, I vow it’ll be the last time.

This isn’t over.

Twenty-Four

Whitney

The past

I refused to see Lincoln again, and I barely went out in public anymore. Whenever I did, people stared. Mrs. Riscoff must not have been thinking about the repercussions of cursing my name to anyone who would listen while they loaded her on a stretcher, because now the whole town knew that Lincoln and I had been caught together.

No one would talk about it in front of him, I was sure. They were probably too afraid of what he would do. But no one feared my reaction.

I walked into Freedom Bean to get Aunt Jackie a latte, at her request, even though I begged not to go, and saw my cousin Karma with a group of girls.

At least she’s family, so I don’t have to worry about her talking shit.

Or so I thought until I put in the order and waited near the other end of the barista station and overheard laughter. I glanced over my shoulder and they all looked away.

“Why would he touch her? He could have anyone. I know she’s your cousin, but . . . really?”

Karma met my gaze, not even trying to be sly. “Probably because he knew she’d put out. Like mother, like daughter.”

My mouth dropped open as her betrayal flayed me in half. What? Like mother, like daughter?

I’d been hiding away, avoiding everyone—including my parents—but apparently there was something going on that no one had told me.

I didn’t want to do this here, but Karma had given me no choice.

With crossed arms, I stalked over to the table and confronted her. “What the hell are you talking about?”

One of her friends, Jolene, smirked. “You haven’t heard? Your mom got caught sneaking out of the Wham Bam Motel last night.”

The Wham Bam Motel was what everyone called the Wild Basin Motel on the edge of town.

I tried to school my reactions as Jolene kept talking, but I could feel the heat of embarrassment burning my chest and cheeks.

“Everyone knows . . . well, except who she was with. Definitely not your dad. Doesn’t he work third shift right now?”