Page 28

28

Lincoln

O ne more hour. I have no idea what’s going on, but Katy wasn’t at lunch. I worried when I didn’t see her. It brought me back to picking her up in the alley, and I’ve been on edge. When Miller texted me to say he was taking Katy home without further explanation, I wanted to get in my truck and leave.

I chose to be responsible. I stayed, knowing she’s in good hands. I’ve missed several days of work already and want to remain in good standing here. That doesn’t mean I’m enjoying my decision.

Lincoln: Please tell me everyone is okay? I’m on the verge of panic over here.

I look at my phone for the hundredth time, and still, no one in the group chat has answered. Something must be wrong.

“Dammit. Why won’t anyone answer me?”

“Officer Reed? Is everything okay?” Shit . I spin around to see Meghan, a Junior who I know from seeing her interactions with Katy, looking at me with concern behind her green eyes. It’s the middle of eighth period, and everyone should be in class.

“Hi, Meghan. Shouldn’t you be in class?” Her long, strawberry-blonde hair sways as she holds up a piece of paper—a bathroom pass. That makes sense.

“Officer Reed. Is Katy okay? She didn’t come back after lunch. She was acting strange this morning, and I know she usually carpools with you.”

“Strange how?” I didn’t notice anything on the ride in this morning. Did something happen once she got to school?

“Um, well. She looked really distracted and kept staring off in class.” Meghan and Katy have Art and Science together, two of Katy’s favorite subjects. She wouldn’t be wandering off unless something was on her mind.

“Did she say anything to you?” I need information, and apparently, I’m desperate enough to try and get any scrap possible, even from the petite sixteen year old in front of me.

“No. Katy mentioned she wouldn’t be at lunch, but nothing more than that.”

Fuck. I squeeze the phone in my hand, willing any of the other five people attached to the text I sent to respond.

“Thank you, Meghan. Finish up and get back to class before we both get in trouble. I’m sure Katy is fine. She went home after lunch.” I fake a smile, and she returns it.

I continue down the hall and walk into a janitor’s closet. I’m calling everyone until someone picks up the phone.

“Hey, Linc—”

“Dammit, Fireball. Don’t ‘Hey, Linc’ me. What’s going on? I’m in panic mode over here, hiding in a closet, making calls in the middle of my work day because no one could pick up the phone and answer a simple text. What’s going on? What’s wrong with Katy?” He sighs. There’s so much behind the sound, and I know he won’t give me any information.

“I’m sorry. There’s been a lot going on. Katy needs to talk to you when you get home.”

“Miller, what’s going on?”

“It’s not mine to tell. She’s waiting for you when you get here.” I need something . This is pure torture.

“Please just tell me she’s okay.” I bang my head against the closed door and silently beg him for information.

“She’s not in any danger. She’s here waiting.” That will have to be good enough to get me through the next forty-five minutes.

“Okay. I mean, it’s not, but okay. I’ll be home in an hour.”

“We’ll see you soon.” There’s silence, but he didn’t say goodbye. I pull the phone away and see we’re still connected.

“Miller?”

“I love you.” Ah, now I understand the pause. His confession this morning is new for both of us and will take some getting used to.

“I love you, too, Fireball. See you soon.”

? ? ? ? ?

Fucking high school boys. I got stuck for an extra hour at work because some seventeen year old boy got caught kissing a girl that wasn’t his girlfriend, and she slapped him. I had to wait for their parents to show up, making me leave later than usual.

As I pull up to the house, Spencer opens the door. An instant feeling of calm washes over me as I look at my Dream Girl. She looks tired but beautiful. Her usual braids are in, but they’re loose like she threw her hair up haphazardly. Black cropped leggings and a tight pale pink top cover a body I’m dying to worship.

She’s standing at my door when I step out of my truck, and I don’t have an ounce of restraint. I grab her waist and push her against Tucker’s truck next to us. My hand is on her neck, and my lips on hers before I even register I’m doing it. She kisses me back with all the passion I’m giving her.

I pull away from the kiss and rest my forehead on her shoulder. “Fuck, you’re perfect.”

“That was unexpected.”

“Sorry, Dream Girl. I’m a little stressed not knowing what I’m about to walk in on.” I pull back and search her face for any information. It’s pointless because her face is blank. She’s not quite masking, but…shielding, maybe. She’s giving nothing away.

“Please go in there with an open mind. You’re the last one Katy needs to talk to, and next to Justin and myself, you’re the one she’s most nervous to tell.”

“Justin? He knows what’s going on? Spencer?”

“Go talk to her, Lincoln.”

I stare at the door for a long moment before my feet move. I open it and allow Spencer to walk in first. When I step in behind her, I see Katy’s suitcase waiting next to the door, and my panic is back in full force.

“What’s this all about? Where are you going, Katy?” My tone is more forceful than I expect, but my adrenaline pumps at the thought that she’s about to tell me she’s leaving us. It may have only been a few weeks, but Katy and I bonded that day in the alley, and I plan on being a part of her life for as long as she lets me.

Katy stands from the couch, not quite understanding my outburst. As I take long steps to reach her, Miller steps in front of me, but I don’t take my eyes off Katy, whose brows are furrowing at me.

“Calm down. She isn’t going anywhere but to hang out with Justin and Nicole for a few days.” I exhale and look at Miller, giving him a sweet smile.

“Hi, Fireball. I missed you.” I lean in and kiss him tenderly, feeling him smile into our kiss.

“Can we talk, Lincoln?” Katy’s voice drips with apprehension, and I hate that I may have caused it.

“Go talk to her,” Miller whispers into my lips.

“Hey, kiddo. Want to go for a walk around the pool?” She looks to her left, and a silent question passes between her and Spencer. They nod at each other, and she turns back to me.

“Sure.”

Miller squeezes my hand. “Listen to her.”

A feeling of dread sinks heavily in my stomach as I follow Katy out the front door. I have no idea what she’s about to tell me, but I don’t like the way anyone is acting. She looks like she’s been crying. The holey jeans and v-neck yellow T-shirt she left the house in this morning have been replaced with loose cotton shorts, and a shirt that I’m pretty sure belongs to one of us guys by the way she’s swimming in it.

Katy stops halfway around the pool and steps in front of me. She nervously tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, opens her mouth to speak, but closes it again.

“Katy, nothing you say will change anything between us. You’re safe here. You’re safe with me.” She sighs, and as she sucks in the next breath, it’s broken as tears begin to fall down her cheeks. I pull her into me and rub her back, trying to comfort her.

“Lincoln… I’m pregnant.” Oh god.

“Oh, Katy, I’m so sorry.” I hug her tighter trying to hold us both together.

“I-I think I want to keep it. I’m not sure. I’m going to go spend some time with Miles and Nicole and see what it would be like.” Now I understand why she’s leaving for Justin’s.

“That sounds like a perfect idea to start with. You know that no matter what decision you make, it changes nothing for any of us, right? We’re here for you.” I hope I never make her feel any other way. Spencer said she was nervous to tell me. She must feel the bond like I do.

“I do. I didn’t at first. I begged Justin and Spencer not to send me back to my witch of a mother. I feel like such a failure.”

No. I grab her shoulders and pull her away from me.

“You have failed at nothing. It’s so brave that you told us as soon as you figured it out. You’re the bravest person I know, next to Spencer. Has she told you any more of her story?” Katy shakes her head, and I pull her back into me. “She will. When she’s ready. Let’s get you to Justin and Nicole’s. Sounds like you have some babysitting to do.”