Page 97 of Finish Line

Needing to redirect the topic away from me to appease my mom, I ask, “How’s Hannah doing? I saw the milking photo.” I cover my mouth to suppress a giggle.

He laughs. “She appears to be doing fine. It was a real wake-up call when she found out that Roger didn’t hypnotize her. Before she left, we spoke.”

He hugs me as a father should, and my throat burns with tears. “I said it before, but thank you, Shelby, for saving her. Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me. Hannah wasn’t the nicest to you when you first got here.”

Snorting to himself, he releases me from his hug. “Scratch that. She was downright awful. But I didn’t know what to do to help her. Your actions saved her on more than one account. And therapy is helping.”

“No need to thank me, Peter. Hannah is family. And I’m glad that, despite the cow manure, being at her aunt’s and going to therapy is helping.”

He squeezes my hand.

“I’m going to go take a shower. This time change is kicking my butt.”

He chuckles before he backs up and wraps his arms around my mom’s shoulders.

As I walk away, they murmur to each other, but I can’t understand what they are saying. Something is going on with Mom. I need to figure out what it is.

I stop at a few places where help wanted signs are posted, but none seem enthused about hiring a teenager without a diploma.

Disappointed, I head home.

When I arrive, I research the requirements to obtain my GED, finding a website with the information I need to prepare for and take the test.

When Luke and Nick return from school, I’m still sitting in my room, reading through the website.

Luke asks me if I want to work on my karate. I nod enthusiastically, desperate to move.

We head outside to start.

An hour and a half later, Luke takes pity on me and my shaking arms. “Okay, I think that’s enough for today.”

I fall to the ground, panting. “I’ve lost so much muscle tone.”

“You’re not as bad as you think.” Billy’s voice comes from behind me. I turn, and Billy, Mark, and Ricky stand off to the side of the house.

Luke helps me up.

“What are you guys doing here?” I walk over to where they are, Luke a step behind me.

“We haven’t heard from you in months and got worried. Not to mention, Cin wouldn’t tell us anything when we reached out to her,” Mark says, concerned.

Taking my hair out of the braid, I run my hand through it. “I’m sorry that the last few months have been hard.”

“Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll grab some drinks?” Luke says.

“Thanks.” I kiss him, and he heads inside.

Ricky and Mark head over to the outdoor sectional, and I turn to follow them when Billy stops me, gripping my arm and causing me to flinch.

Seeing this, he lets go.

“I’m sorry. I acted up,” he apologizes.

I turn back to face him, regret plain on my face. “Billy, I’m sorry I was so blind. I didn’t mean to hurt you. You were my best friend.”

“It’s all right, Shelby. It’s not like I ever told you. I expected you to pick up on it.” He shrugs. “I met someone. And now, I understand what you told me about how you feel about your guys.”

“So, we’re good?” I point between us.

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