Page 118 of Finish Line

I pull her into my arms. “We’ll find him, angel. I’ll talk to Dad about installing an alarm system and ask Frank to install one with cameras.”

Nick runs out of the house as we finish walking up the lawn. “Hey, how did it go?”

“Good.” I smile. “She’s home with my nephew.”

“She had a kid?” Nick’s mouth pops open.

“Yeah.” I show him some pictures of my nephew. “His name is Carter. He’s two and a half.”

He smiles at me. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

We walk into the house and talk to Nick, then he heads to his apartment.

“Are you planning on taking your second-day GED test tomorrow?” I ask Shelby.

“Yes. It starts at ten.” She smothers a yawn.

“Well, get some sleep, and don’t worry about the test.” I kiss her. “Thank you for today.”

“You’re welcome.” She locks the door after I leave to return home.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

SHELBY

Ienter the house and find Nick and Peter talking in the living room.

When they notice me, they stop.

My gaze bounces between them. “What’s wrong?”

Peter looks at Nick before nodding his head at me. “Tell her.”

“I found this note today when I came home from school.” He hands it to me.

All it says is, I warned you.

A chill runs down my spine, making me shiver.

“Roger,” I mutter.

“I thought so, too,” Nick says.

“What do you think he warned you about?” Peter asks.

“Luke’s sister.” I close my eyes, running my hand down my face. “He told Luke to stay away from me. If he didn’t, he’d send her back to him, piece-by-piece.”

Peter sits with his mouth open, trying to form words.

“She’s here now, so that’s not going to happen.” Nick grabs his phone. “I’ll call him and tell him about the letter.”

“Why didn’t you tell him when you saw him outside?” I ask. “You told me to tell him you wanted to talk to him, remember?”

“Yeah.” Nick rubs the back of his neck. “The news about Lea having a kid short-circuited my brain. A baby bomb will do that.”

“You’re pregnant?” my mother screeches from where she stands at the entrance to the living room, startling us. “I can’t believe this! You’re a slut, just like Hannah said, but I never thought you would let this happen. Do you even know who the father is?”

I blink a few times as I replay her words in my head.

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