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“Oh my god. This is…” I turn to face Neo, then look at Jagger and Crew. “You guys did this for me?”
Jagger slaps a hand to Neo’s shoulder. “It was his idea.”
“No big deal.” Neo shrugs. “I was home for two weeks and needed something to do, and I had a little help from some builders, but I did a lot of the leg work myself.”
Without thinking, I throw myself into Neo’s arms and sob like a baby. “Thank you.”
It might not mean much to a lot of people, but these guys know how much my old treehouse meant to me. It was my sanctuary. It holds so many of my firsts, and now I get to start new ones with my guys. Granted, we’re older now and probably won't be here much, but it symbolizes a new start, for all of us, together.
Epilogue
SCAR
When I first arrived atBCA, I was pissed at the world. I hated these boys for luring me to this place. My fists were locked, and I was ready to fight, but each and every time I fought back, I watched as I slowly lowered the walls each one of these guys built around themselves. In doing so, I realized mine were coming down, too.
It’s been a very long nine months, but now that it’s over, I wish I could go back and do it all over again. Okay, maybe not all of it. Or any of it for that matter.
No. I’m glad it’s over, and I’m ready for us to get the hell out of here and begin the next chapter of our story.
“Scarlett. Honey,” Mom says, inserting herself into my arms. “I’m so proud of you.” She steps back and looks at my friends—Riley, Maddie, Crew, Jagger, and Neo. “I’m so proud of all of you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I look at my dad, who’s got his arms spread wide, and I run into them. “I love you, Dad.”
He kisses the top of my head and says, “I love you, too.”
Crew’s talking with his parents about his plans to play football at BCU, and they’re overjoyed, laughing and chatting. I’m watching him smile, feeling like my heart could burst at the seams when he turns his head, catching my stare. He winks, sending a swarm of butterflies through my stomach, then resumes conversing with his mom and dad.
Jagger’s dad approaches us, all stern and serious, and he clears his throat upon his arrival. “Congratulations, son.” He pats his hand on Jagger’s shoulder. “Still holding a 4.0 after everything you’ve been through is pretty remarkable. It’s not a 5.0, but we take what we can get.”
Any moment of happiness Jagger had quickly diminishes from his face. I step forward, putting a hand on Jagger’s arm. “Jagger is actually the class valedictorian, which means he’s the best in his class. I’d say it’s more than remarkable.”
“Valedictorian, huh?” His dad huffs. “You never mentioned it.”
“Didn't think you’d care.”
“Of course I care. Your education is my top priority.”
Jagger sighs heavily. “Yes, Dad. I know. It's the most important thing in the world to you. I get it.”
The tension thickens around all of us, and while everyone else excuses themselves from this conversation, I stay at Jagger's side for moral support. His dad is so hard on him and I know it takes a toll on Jagger’s mental state.
“Close second.” Mr. Cole continues, “You, my son, are the most important thing in the world to me.”
Jagger’s head draws back, surprised at his dad’s admission. “I am?”
His dad throws an arm around Jagger’s neck and rubs the top of his head, chuckling. “Of course you are. I’m only hard on you because I know what you’re capable of. So,” he steps back, looking at his son, “what are your plans after this?”
Jagger looks at me, then his dad, and he shares with him the same plan he shared with me. “Think I’m gonna give law school a shot after my four years at BCU.”
We all go silent, awaiting Mr. Cole’s response. He’s always had big dreams for Jagger to work with him at his company.
After a lengthy bout of anxiety-riddled tension, he says, “I think that’s a great plan.”
When Jagger smiles, I take it as my cue to give them their moment. Jagger really needed this and I couldn’t be happier for him—for all of us.
That is, until Neo and Maddie are standing off to the side, watching while our families reunite and congratulate us on our graduation. My heart splinters in two. I wave my hand at them. “Get over here, you two.”
Neo strolls leisurely with his hands in his front pockets, while Maddie walks briskly ahead of him.
