THE NEXT MORNING, I got up early and called Seaton Bakery to confirm our plans, knowing Gayle and her husband would be up this early, prepping dough for the morning. Once we got off the phone, I began getting ready for the day. I didn’t wear as much makeup as I had in the past but settled into something that made me feel good about myself—some foundation to cover my clearing acne, brown eyeliner, and plenty of mascara. (How I’d gone so long without having that as a part of my daily routine, I still didn’t know.)
When I walked down the stairs to breakfast, my family was at the table. I barely managed to eat the eggs and steamed sweet potato my mom had fixed. Dad checked his watch and stood. He kissed my mom, ruffled Aiden’s already messy hair, and then kissed me on the cheek. “I’ll be at the assembly today with your mother.”
My cheeks burned at the idea of him seeing what I had planned. “Dad, you don’t really have to come.”
“Nonsense,” he said. “I want to be there for you.”
I gave him a faltering smile. Might as well be another person to witness either the greatest success of my time at Emerson Academy or my last day there.
On the drive to school, Mom tried to give me a pep talk for the public shaming that was meant to come later that day, but I needed more than encouragement to get me through this day. Too bad Mom had only given me half a glass of wine last night.
When we pulled up to the school, Mom started in before us, but Aiden hung back with me. “Hey, can I talk to you?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said and paused in the parking lot. Thankfully, the teachers’ lot gave us some space from the other students walking in. “What’s going on?”
“I overheard your call this morning.” My stomach dropped. “Aiden, I—”
He held up his hand. “I’m on your team. Let me know if there’s anything you need.”
“Once Headmaster Bradford kills me, can you make sure Mom and Dad sprinkle my ashes over the ocean?”
With an exasperated grin, he wacked my shoulder. “Seriously. I want to help.”
I shook my head. “You’ve been the best brother, Aiden, but if this goes wrong, I don’t want you going down with me. Just wait until ten or fifteen people move before you do.”
“You don’t know me at all.” He gave me a crooked grin and then started toward the school.
“Aiden!” I called.
Ignoring me, he continued loping through the lot.
Rolling my eyes, I followed in his crazy path. Once inside, I kept my head down, trying not to cause a scene before the pep rally this afternoon. Unfortunately, that didn’t end well when I ran headfirst into a set of abs harder than steel.
I fell to the ground and sat up, rubbing my elbow. “Sorry” came a familiar voice.
“It’s my fault.” I looked up to see Carson and his extended hand. I halfway expected him to rescind his apology and his offer to help me up.
“Come on,” he said, sensing my unease and practically hauled me to my feet. He brushed off my back like there was a rash of hay or something on the floor, but I appreciated the offer.
“Thanks,” I said.
He nodded, then seemed to hesitate. “What?” I asked.
“I’m sorry.” His blue eyes were wide and sincere, but his apology was misplaced.
Again, I returned, “It’s not your fault.”
“No, but it’s not all your fault either. You didn’t deserve the way it happened. I honestly think if you could have told him after the game…”
My throat began feeling tight as Carson took me down the path of what- if. The truth was I couldn’t change what had happened, and like Dad said, it was what you did after a mistake that was important. I shook my head. “Thanks for being a friend,” I said.
His smile seemed to come easily. “Any time.”
As I walked to math class, my heart felt lighter. Maybe, just maybe, this could all work out.
