AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And what do you think this person is going to do when they find out I’ve been arrested for stealing? I’ll be back on the streets.”
“They’re not going to find out. Just let her ask around, see if she can find someone.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I like your mom, but I’m still not sure I can trust her.”
“You can. She wouldn’t be helping you like this if she didn’t care what happened to you.” He smiles. “You won her over this weekend.”
“By being sick?” I roll my eyes. “I’m not sure how that would win her over.”
“But it did. I can tell. She cares about you. She’s not going to let you live on the streets.”
“Exactly, which is why she’ll call someone she knows in the foster care system and have them come get me.”
“She’s not gonna do that. Nova, would you please just let her talk to your school so you can go back there? You can’t drop out, not when you’re this close to being done.”
I sigh, seeing his disappointment, knowing he’s only trying to help, but still worried about what could happen.
“I’ll think about it. But I’m not going tomorrow. I’m still not feeling great.”
“Let’s go downstairs.” He gets up and pulls me to standing.
“You’re going with me?”
“I have to tuck you in.” He smiles. “Like I did when we were kids.”
“You only did that during storms.”
My mind flashes back to a memory of Sean sneaking into my room during a really bad thunderstorm and tucking me in. He would’ve stayed with me that night, but Liz kept getting up to deal with the dog, who barked and whined during storms. We didn’t want to risk Sean getting caught in my room, so he tucked me in and then went back to his own room.
“Tonight’s a storm,” he says, keeping hold of my hand as we walk out of the kitchen.
“It’s not the same. There’s no thunder.”
Jenna runs down the stairs, stopping when she sees us, her gaze going to our joined hands. “I thought you guys were just friends,” Jenna says in an accusatory tone.
“We are,” Easton says.
“Friends don’t hold hands.”
“They can if they want to.” Easton pulls on me to keep walking. As we pass Jenna, I feel her eyes following us.
“I think she knows,” I say when we get down to my room.
“Knows what?” Easton pulls back the covers on the bed. “We aren’t doing anything.”
“You were holding my hand. And I think she saw you kiss me when she came down here to tell us dinner was ready.” I turn away from him as I change out of my jeans and sweatshirt and into my pajamas. Easton’s mom went out today and bought me pajamas, something I’ve never had. I’ve always just worn an old t-shirt or sweats to bed. But Penelope got me three pairs of pajama bottoms with matching shirts. She also got me two pairs of jeans, some long sleeve shirts, and a couple sweatshirts. She went shopping while I was taking a nap. I woke up and found all these clothes in my room, washed and folded and ready to wear. I couldn’t believe she bought me that much.
“Maybe we just fess up and tell her,” Easton says as I get into bed.
“Fess up to what?”
“That we’re dating.”
“We’re not dating.”
“You told Jace we were.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s true.”
