Page 126 of Finish Line

“It’s all right, Peter, I’ll be fine. Let me know when the funeral is?” I ask, and he nods. “Thank you for welcoming me into your home. You made me part of your family, and I’ll never forget that.”

“Don’t.” Tears trail down his cheeks. “Don’t say that like this is goodbye. Nick had the right idea. I’m calling our lawyer. I’ll be damned if I let them keep you in another group home for three weeks.”

He pulls me into a hug and kisses my head. “I can’t stop her from taking you away, but I’ll have you home soon.”

Stepping back, I nod in agreement, even though experience tells me it won’t be that easy. I wave at my guys one last time and follow Mrs. Abney.

One of the guards reaches out to grab my arm.

“Don’t touch her,” Dom growls.

Mrs. Abney waves the guard off.

My heart feels heavy as we leave the hospital and cross the parking lot.

“Thank you for being smart about this. I didn’t want to call the police on your friends.” She walks up to her car and unlocks it.

As I climb into the car with her, I remember something Luke said. “How did you find out my mom died? We were just told.”

She drives away from the house before she glances at me. “I got a call from the hospital yesterday.”

My stomach drops. “That’s impossible. She passed away less than an hour ago.”

Her brows knit together. “That can’t be right.”

My heart drops. Roger. He was at the hospital. He called her, meaning he has something planned, now that she’s separated me from the family.

“Doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change that she passed away,” I huff out. “What home are you taking me to this time?”

“The ones in this state are full, so I’ll have to take you to one in the next state. It’s a place called Milestones Academy.”

My head snaps up. “Wait, a different state?” No, that shouldn’t be possible. “Fosters aren’t supposed to be moved across state lines.”

“My hands are tied on this, Shelby. There are no foster homes available. There’s only this Milestones Academy.”

I gnaw on my lip. Nothing about this is right, but Mrs. Abney is just like every other service person I’ve met while in foster care and doesn’t give a shit so long as she gets me off her hands.

I pull out my phone to update everyone about this new situation.

Shelby: I just found out she’s taking me out of state to a place called Milestones Academy.

Nick: Never heard of it. I’ll look it up.

Mav: Dom and I have our lawyer fast-tracking the emancipation paperwork. Our lawyer doesn’t think it should be a problem since you’ll be eighteen in three weeks, anyway.

Luke: This feels like Roger has a hand in this. Watch out for him.

Cam: I love you, and you can handle this.

Dom: I’m getting in my car and heading out to Milestones. If something happens, I’ll be there.

Shelby: As much as I want to see you, Dom, it would only cause trouble for me. Stay and work on your lawyer.

It’s nice to have them in my corner. I lean my head back on the headrest, looking out the window.

I sit for a while, watching the scenery pass, zoning out.

This seems like a bad dream. Mom’s dead, and Uncle Brett… Shit, I forgot about him. He shouldn’t hear about it over text.

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