Page 173 of Always: A Legacy Novel

And in the process, terrified, angered, and disappointed her parents. Over and over and over again.

Catherine sighed loudly. “I do have to get going, so if you have something to say, now would be the time to do it.”

Her father glanced to the window, and then back to Catherine. “There’s nothing, dolcezza. Have a good day.”

His face didn’t look like there was nothing. He was not good at hiding his feelings, but she appreciated that he at least made the effort.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

Dante waved a hand. “Positive. Tell Cross to drive safe.”

Her mother kissed her on the cheek as Catherine passed her by. “You’re almost done, Catty.”

Yep.

One more year.

Catherine still didn’t know what she was going to do after she finished high school. She didn’t know which college she wanted to apply for, or what programs she might consider taking. She had none of that shit figured out, yet.

She should probably get on that.

Soon.

“Bye,” Catherine called over her shoulder.

Her parents’ echoing sentiments followed her down the hallway.

Catherine darted out of the house, and across the drive to climb into Cross’s Rover. He leaned over in his seat, caught her chin between his forefinger and thumb, and brought her close enough for a kiss. Despite him being there to pick her up for school, she could tell he hadn’t gotten a hell of a lot of sleep the night before if the darkness under his eyes was any indication.

“Work?” she asked.

Cross shrugged, and sat back in the driver’s seat to put the Rover in reverse. “Yeah, babe. Long night.”

Catherine frowned. “I could have driven myself today, Cross.”

“I promised to take you, didn’t I?”

He did.

And he always kept his promises.

“And I’ll be there to pick you up when you’re out this afternoon,” he added.

“Are you going to get some sleep in between?”

Cross laughed dryly. “Probably not, but it is what it is.”

She didn’t press him for details. She never did. He probably wouldn’t give her any if she did ask, to be honest. All she knew was that he was doing his thing with his family, and for his step-father. He could be at one part of the city in the morning, and on the opposite end at night. She didn’t even know what he was doing most of the time, but he made sure she knew where he was, should she need him.

“It’s going to be weird this year,” Catherine said, digging through her messenger bag to make sure she hadn’t forgotten her laptop. “Without you, I mean.”

Cross reached over and palmed her cheek gently. “You’ll be fine, babe.”

“Well, yeah. But still.”

He glanced down at her bag, and his gaze flashed with something unknown. She didn’t miss it.

“What, Cross?”