Page 166 of Finish Line

Luke, Cam, and I fall onto the couch, filling her in on what happened with Katherine.

Her jaw drops before snapping it shut. “That bitch.”

I nod my agreement.

Nick kisses Cin before he goes to where Beau and Aaron are set up to find Roger. He’s been spending most of his time with them.

The boys are out by the pool, and I’m heading to them. We have a water volleyball game to finish.

I walk out to the patio.

“Happy birthday, Shelby!” people shout.

I jump. I had hoped they’d forgotten my birthday. I told them I didn’t want to celebrate, but I should have known they wouldn’t listen.

A table stacked with gifts sits off to the side of the patio.

“You said you didn’t want to celebrate, but we couldn’t let your eighteenth birthday go past without a little party,” Luke says.

Ricky, Amber, Mark, and Billy lounge by the pool. Chad’s inspecting the grill. Sam and Paige are talking to Cin and Nick.

“You all right, gorgeous?” Cam questions.

I run my hand over my forehead. “I’m just not in the mood to party with everything happening.”

“It’s friends hanging out. Everyone here loves and cares about you. Dad’s going to grill some burgers for us. Pray that they don’t come out burned.” Mav glances over to where his dad is.

“I heard that, Mav,” Chad says.

“You do whatever you feel like, and if you want to sit and watch us, then we’re okay with that,” Mav states.

I smile at him. “Thank you.”

I walk over to Ricky and the gang.

“Happy birthday.” Ricky pulls me into a hug. “I’m sorry about your mom.”

Amber hugs me next. “My condolences.”

“Thank you. I always knew she’d die before me because of the drugs she took, but things were changing for us.” I shake my head and plaster on my best smile. “Congratulations are in order. Show me the ring.”

Amber beams and holds out her hand. I don’t know the size of the diamond. It’s nothing like the one on Katherine’s finger, but it’s what Ricky can afford.

I hug her. “I’m so happy for you.”

“All right, it’s my turn.” Mark pushes his way to me.

I chuckle. “Hi, Mark.”

“Hi, sweety. Happy birthday.”

I look at Billy. “Hey, it’s good to see you.”

“You, too. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks.”

I stay and talk with them for a while.

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