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It looked like Collin was opening his mouth to argue, so I replied quickly. “I’m not really sure what’s up next for me. I’m applying to a few places, but I can’t decide if I should study music, or go into something more practical like Business and Marketing. I could always write songs and perform on the side.”
My dad had wanted me to go into music. And while I still loved to write and play, part of me felt rebellious by following in Mom’s footsteps at school. She’d majored in Marketing. They’d met while she was an undergrad and he was studying for his law degree. Love at first sight, that was the way Mom used to describe it. From all accounts, it should’ve been the perfect romance. At least she still had the marketing degree.
“I’m glad you’ve got an idea of what you want to do,” Tripp continued, the lines in his forehead deepening. “Gina and I have tried to get Collin interested, but he won’t even take a campus visit.”
“Tripp...” Gina pursed her lips and gave her husband a warning look.
“My dad said he wants me to join him at the mechanic shop next year,” Collin said, more to his plate of food than to any of us. “He said he’s got a spot waiting for me.”
I didn’t miss the exchange of concerned expressions from Gina and Tripp over the table. Apparently, this was a sore spot. I didn’t know much about Collin’s dad, but I’d heard enough to know he might be trouble.
But then Gina smiled at Collin and sighed. “If that’s what’ll make you happy, dear, then we’re happy. But just know, you’ve always got a spot here as well. Even when you’re out of foster care. You can go to school and work, just like Ally.”
“Yeah, Collin, that would be great,” Ally added with a grin. “I can show you the ropes. Maybe even get you a part-time job at Dwight’s.”
“Thanks.” Collin shot her and Gina a grateful smile.
At the same time, relief washed over me. No matter what happened, it sounded like he had a home. That was what mattered.
Collin’s foster family was so unlike anything I’d ever experienced. As we ate supper, the love they all held for each other became more and more evident. Tripp was the leader of the home and kind of rough around the edges. But he had a soft spot for his kids, especially when it came to shy little Peter. The conversation ebbed and flowed between the family, never ending. I hardly had to add a word.
Mostly, I spent a lot of time catching Collin’s eye, laughing at something one of his family members had said. The fire was back in my stomach, burning like red hot embers in a fire pit. Every time he looked at me and gave me that grin, I’d get another burst of heat.
And even though this side of him was so very different from the tough, bad-boy image I was used to seeing at school, it made me like him even more. Beneath the hard candy shell was a soft caramel center that was Collin and his foster family. He might have been the soft one, but I was the one melting.
By the time dinner ended, I’d stuffed myself with so much food I thought I would burst. That included Collin’s dessert, which was so amazing I think I asked him three times if he was sure he’d made them himself. Ally and Diamond were just starting to clear the table and little Peter had taken up at the sink to help wash dishes. Collin rounded the table and kneeled down next to my chair.
“Come on,” he said quietly, reaching for my hand. “Let’s get out of here before they ask us to dry.”
My stomach did a little flip and I bit my bottom lip nervously. Maybe I should’ve offered to help clean up, but my mind was too focused on the fact that he was holding my hand and causing flames to rush up my arm.
“Thank you for dinner,” I yelled as he pulled me toward the sliding glass door. “It was wonderful.”
Gina fixed me with a smile, her eyes sparkling. “You’re welcome to come over anytime, dear.”
“Oh, yes please,” Ally added, laughing. She rinsed a dish and handed it to Diamond. “We need a little more estrogen in this place. Boys are so smelly and gross. Maybe with you around, we might actually get Collin to pick up his dirty gym clothes.”
“Thanks, Sis.” Collin saluted her with his other hand. “That’s really helpful.”
“What?” She shrugged and turned to Tripp. “What did I say?”
I didn’t have time to hear the rest of the conversation. Collin shut the sliding door behind us. The evening had darkened on the spacious backyard and stars had started to make their appearance up above. Bikes and scooters littered the grass. A giant sandbox stood to my right and beside that was a rusty old swing set. Collin led me out onto the grass and toward the side of the house, slowing to a halt when we were out of view of the dining room.
“I’m really sorry about that,” Collin said, rubbing his hand over his head. “My family’s...a little weird.”
I tried not to focus on the fact that he was still holding my hand, tight. “Actually, they’re kind of amazing,” I said breathlessly. “Gina and Tripp are awesome. It’s so clear they love each other.”
“Yeah.” He frowned at me. “They really do.”
“That was the kind of love I’d hoped for my parents. You know, that messy, forgiving, beautiful kind of love? As a kid, I used to shut my eyes and wish so hard for that to happen.”
He nodded, his eyes never leaving my face. “I know exactly what you mean. I never knew my mom, and my dad’s relationships never lasted. I didn’t know people like Gina and Tripp existed in the world until I arrived on their doorstep. They were really patient with me. I didn’t deserve it. I was angry and busted up everything I touched. Any other foster home would’ve sent me packing, but they didn’t. I owe them everything.”
I w
atched the way Collin’s jaw twitched when he talked about his past. There was a vulnerability in his eyes. One that told me he wasn’t used to sharing these kinds of details with other people. My heart blossomed with the knowledge that I was one of the lucky few.
“You know,” I laughed sourly, “it’s no wonder neither of us can write a love song. With my kissing problem, your inability to fall in love, and the fact that our parents were messes, we’re pretty much sunk.”
