Page 87 of Your Last First Kiss

Kai’s shaking his head, but this is important to me.

With the clarity of the rising sun, it hits me that he is important to me.

All of these people. Even this town. It all matters to me. This is what Remy was talking about. This is who I am now, their someone.

My body fills with a purpose I’ve never had. I’ve drifted through adulthood with no compass.

Until now.

They’re my true north. My home.

“I don’t get it,” he says, and I blink out of the thoughts invading my mind. He looks at his mom.

We all do that. Look to Penny for guidance. For confirmation. She’s our lighthouse, calling us all home. I offer her a small smile before returning to catch Kai’s eyes on me.

“Kai.” I sigh and look to the floor. Shame hits me hard, but I’ll show him that I mean what I say and do what I mean. “I don’t remember if I swore in front of you, and if I did, I broke my promise. I don’t do that. Not ever, so if I did, I’m sorry.”

Penny makes a gurgling sound, and Miller mutters something under his breath, but Kai stares at me like he’s seen a ghost.

It’s silent in the gym, and I can hear everyone’s breaths as they slowly sync, slowly becoming one.

Whole.

Together we feel whole.

“For Christ’s sake, Dillon. You were arrested and put in jail, and you’re worried about saying a fucking curse word?”

I turn to Miller with a smirk. “It’s important, potty mouth. And I wasn’t really put in jail. I didn’t even go behind bars. I just sat in a corner for a few hours.” I raise my brow to get my point across, then return my gaze to Kai.

“You—You didn’t swear. I don’t think. I don’t remember,” he says honestly.

“So, if I did, you’ll give me a pass and help me turn this place around?” I say, gesturing to the gym.

“Did you really buy it?” he asks cautiously.

I nod.

He looks at his mom. “Can I talk to Mr. Dillon? Alone. For a minute,” he adds when her eyebrows pinch together.

Miller ushers Penny out of earshot with a warning glance for me.

I’m all in now.

“Are you doing this because you like my mom?”

Oof.

“That might be part of it. She’s been the best friend I think I’ve ever had. But I’m also doing it for the other kids who need this place and for myself. I needed this place when I was a kid, and I sort of had that with Ashton’s family. But truthfully, I wasn’t happy in the city, and I think I can be here.”

“Don’t hurt her,” he demands. He sits higher in his chair and puffs out his chest.

“I’m going to try hard not to. And I’ll do my best to always be honest with you. I’m serious about this place, and I’m serious about building trust, Kai. That’s the only foundation we can build on.”

He bites his lip and watches me. It’s like I can feel him fighting. Fighting the desire to believe me, fighting the anger that’s been swelling inside him for years, and fighting the exhaustion of living the way they have.

“Listen,” I say when he remains silent. “I know trust isn’t something given easily, and honestly, it shouldn’t be. Trust is something you earn. I told your mom the same thing, and now I’m telling you. I want the chance to earn that trust, but I’ve never been around that many kids. So if I mess up, I’m hoping you’ll tell me. This only works if we’re a team, and I’ve heard you’re a pretty amazing team player.”

His eyes widen slightly. “What’s going to happen to my team?”