Page 73 of Saints & Sailors

Beside me, Dreux’s expression changed as he shifted his weight away from me toward the driver’s door. “Do you see my dad trying?”

“He bought you a car,” I noted.

I watched as Dreux scowled. “Not supporting my baseball games, not coming around, not apologizing for all the shit he’s done, you’re right, the car definitely makes up for that.”

What was I thinking? Back home, a lot of kids were bought by their parents. How had I mistaken that for love?

“You’re right,” I said. “Being there is more important than material things. You ever thought about reaching out?”

We’d made it to school where Dreux was silent until he found a parking space.

“Why reach out to him when it’s supposed to be the other way around?” Dreux gave a shrug, looking down and fingering the material of his steering wheel. “I’ve got my mom, Rick, and Scott when I need him. When my dad’s ready to be a man and not an ass, maybe I’ll be here.”

Dreux’s story made me appreciate Scott more. He wasn’t being flashy with his trying, he was doing so sincerely and genuinely, right down to the lunches he made for me.

The song playing on the radio caught my ear. The smooth tone of the rapper’s voice and the message in the lyrics were melodic.

“That’s not bad,” I admitted as we got out of the car.

Dreux smirked as he pulled his school bag on his shoulder. “Joey Bada$$. You should look into him. There’s a huge world out there beyond Gwen Stefani.”

I narrowed my eyes. “No Doubt was the shit back in the day.”

Dreux’s full lips formed a smile. “Hell yeah.”

I had half a mind to knock his baseball cap off his head when Aidan suddenly popped out in front of us.

He hadn’t been there a full minute before I felt the negative energy surrounding him. One look at me and his face morphed into annoyance.

Whoa.

When Aidan focused on Dreux, a mask void of emotion took over his face, complete with a chipper smile. “Hey, man, can we talk? Alone.”

I didn’t wait for Dreux’s response before taking off toward the atrium where Bonham and the guys usually hung out. Things were getting too heavy, and I could use a laugh with my friends.

“Saylor!”

Shouting drew my attention away from the reprieve up ahead of me. I looked to my right and saw Cameron waving on the school sidewalk as she walked over.

I waited for her, at once noticing the closer she came, the more sullen she appeared. Blonde curls up in a ponytail, loose fitting T-shirt, and a glimpse at her feet found mismatched socks.

Something was up.

“Hey.” I angled my head at the green and pink socks on her feet. “You good?”

Cameron’s blue eyes watered and she blinked a few times to compose herself. “No.”

This was very new to me, this sisterhood it felt like we were forming. One thing I immediately liked about Cameron was her acceptance of me. I was moody and standoffish, and sometimes I still wanted that space, but Cameron didn’t push or pry. If I were the one coming to school in tears, I knew without a doubt she’d be there for me, just like she had been with Vanity.

The fountain was actually empty, so I ushered us over to sit and get to the bottom of Cameron’s dilemma.

Beside us, the water jetted out in a gushing stream, splashing cool droplets on our skin. The clear liquid against the clean gray stone of the fountain was welcoming. Right away, I’d always liked this spot. It was tranquil and refreshing. Hopefully it would provide some relief for Cameron.

“What’s up?” I asked as I sat and faced her.

Cameron wrung her hands in her lap. “Last night…I-I broke up with Aidan.”

My brows tipped up as I mouthed, “Wow.”