Page 153 of Finish Line

Cam moves and looks at the clock. “Shit, the power must have gone off last night. Wake up, babe.” He shakes Mav, which shakes me. “We’re late. Move your sexy asses.”

We run in different directions, grabbing clothes and shoes. It’s a good thing I took a shower last night.

“Can’t we tell them our power went out? It’s not our fault our alarms didn’t go off.” Mav hops around, trying to put his pants on.

We meet in the living room, then down to the garage, where we pile in one of Mr. Knight’s big SUVs.

It’s a beautiful sunny day, so graduation will be outside.

We haven’t seen or heard a word from Roger since my mom’s funeral. I told the guys I didn’t think he’d come for us at graduation, and I hope I’m right. The guys deserve this day of recognition.

We pull down a road and stop for construction. My stomach drops. He couldn’t be stupid enough to do the same shit again.

“Guys, do you have your guns?” I ask from the middle seat.

“Of course, but why? It’s just a fallen tree,” Mav says.

“Yeah, like the time he took me.” I wrap my arms around my chest.

“Princess, we won’t let him take you.” He wraps his arms around my shoulder from the back seat.

“It’s not like last time, Shelby. Look at the roads. They are wet from last night’s rainstorm. But just in case, Dom, keep your eyes peeled for items that can pop your tires,” Nick says.

“Don’t worry. Dad’s armored car is bulletproof and has run-flat tires, so we can drive for over fifty miles, even if the tires pop,” he says.

The tightness in my chest releases some, but the downed tree has my nerves on end.

Luke looks at me from the front seat. “What are you thinking, angel?”

“He’s been showing up when we’re together,” I say. “I might have been wrong about what I said at the funeral reception. He’ll do something today.”

“The school will have extra security, and Frank’s working with them. He also brought in a bunch of our guys.” Luke bends and grabs something from under his seat. When he turns to face me, he hands me a gun. “Keep this on you. If anyone tries to take you against your will, shoot them. Do you understand?”

I take the gun from him, nodding. “Won’t they be checking everyone who comes in?”

“Yes,” he says. “We’ve informed the school board that we’ll be armed because of Roger and his threats.”

I flip the gun over in my hand. A tight tank top bodysuit and a ruffled skirt don’t provide me with a lot of options to carry it. “I don’t have anywhere to put this.”

“She’s right,” Nick says. “The only place would be a thigh holster, and we don’t have one.”

“Give me the gun. I’ll be beside her the whole time,” Cam says.

Cam puts on a holster for the gun. We pull into the parking lot, which is almost full. Dom parks, and we climb out.

Dom’s the first one to me. “Stay safe, Firefly.”

I stand on tiptoes and kiss him. “You, too.

I kiss Luke, Dom, and Mav, then Cin, Cam, and I head to the football field to find our seats.

“Are you two sad you won’t walk across the stage with them?” Cin asks us.

“I could have walked with them if I wanted to. I’m sad I won’t be in the room with them, joking around, but as for the actual shaking hands and shit?” Cam shakes his head. “I don’t care about that.”

He looks at me. “How about you, beautiful?”

“Paige is by herself with those bitches, so I’m worried about her, but other than that, I don’t care. I earned my GED and was told it was among their highest scores. So that makes me happy.” I search for Peter.

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