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Carter
Trying to figure out how to convince this kid that he can never go back to his mom. Even if she gets to keep her rights, I think he managed to worm his way into my heart faster than a piece of cake finds my mouth.
Avery
You too, huh? There’s something about him that just… calls out and demands a hug.
Carter
Yep.
Avery
I meant it. I’m ready to go on a date when you are.
Carter
Give me a few days to get Lucas settled and see things through at the station for the charges. Then you’re mine, Ms. James.
Avery
Deal.
Turns out, I don’t even get a chance to contemplate taking Avery on a date until it’s almost the weekend.
“I swear, Carter, I didn’t do it.” Lucas is staring at me with determination in his eyes, and the little bit of courage that he’s managed to build up in the days since he was taken away from his mother. “I wouldn’t do something so stupid.”
The principal is standing right behind him, nodding in his agreement.
“Normally, I’d be one to argue, but Lucas has been the picture of good behavior. And I don’t even think he’s used his locker this entire year anyway.”
Remy is standing on the other side of the hall, his partner Daisy sitting at his feet.
During a routine walk-through of the school, Daisy started signaling that there were drugs in a locker. Lucas’s locker, it turns out.
Which means I got a call, and Avery is staring at me from the door with a grimace on her face.
“I believe you.”
It’s the truth.
In the time he’s spent at my house, not only has Lucas had all of his school stuff with him every afternoon, but he hasn’t smelled of any drugs or smoke, nor has he acted any differently than I’d expect.
“With everything that’s gone on, especially with Lucas recently. I think maybe we confiscate and report the incident, but leave him out of it?” Remy rubs a hand down Daisy’s fur. “If it turns out that Lucas is a secret drug kingpin, we can readdress it in the future.”
With that settled, Lucas breathes a sigh of relief and heads back to class. Avery lets him go, and she shuts the classroom door behind him, leaving the adults alone in the hall.
“Do you think it was his mother?” Avery’s not talking to the others. She’s asking me, the same way we’ve been texting back and forth all week with ideas on how to keep Lucas safe from anything she has planned. “She could have done it before?”
“We’re not gonna find out. Not for sure.” I look over her head at Remy and the principal, both of whom are walking away. “The best we can do is what we’re doing. Trusting Lucas, and letting everything else happen the way it should.”
“Are you free tonight?” She changes the subject. “I mean, not free. But would your parents be willing to stay with Lucas so that we can have dinner or something?”
“Absolutely.” I smile down at her. “My mom already called dibs on Lucas for the weekend. Something about taking him to Boston to shop for clothes because there aren’t any good stores in Maine. Something like that.”
“Be at my house tonight before dinner, then.” She leans into my shoulder. “You’re doing a good thing with Lucas, Carter. And I’m so tired of trying to push you away.”
I pull out my phone and check the time. “I’m off at six. I’ll be there by six thirty.”
