Page 130 of Easy Out

“Go on.”

“I want to say I’m sorry.” Instinct has me wanting to drop my mouth open in shock, but I keep it closed. “I never should have gotten into your business.” Carter looks down at his hands as he cracks his knuckles.

“A few years before you moved here, there was a girl in the neighborhood. She never failed to find trouble. Then one day, trouble found her.”

“I’m sorry, Carter.”

“You reminded me of her. She wanted to be part of the crew and I wouldn’t let her.”

“That’s why you gave me a chance.” He nods.

“Maybe if I kept a closer eye on her she wouldn’t have been taken and murdered.”

“It wasn’t your fault. That’s not your guilt to carry.”

He shrugs his shoulder. “Maybe not. It doesn’t make it go away. You’ve proven time and time again that you have a good head on your shoulders. I should have trusted you more. Everything you’ve done for the kids. For Royal Oaks. I’m going to miss you.”

“Miss me? I’m not going anywhere.”

“We both know Hart is getting drafted. I can’t even get updates on my team without his face popping up on the screen.”

“At least he’s pretty to look at,” I joke.

“If you say so,” Carter shakes his head smiling. “You’re going with him.” It’s not a question. I glance around the room. Carlos and Manny are laughing with Trix. Michie is reading on her phone. Cash, Rocky, and Vivi are watching a video on his phone.

“You got them here. Your job is done.” I nod, tears forming in my eyes. “You did good, Lo. I’m sorry you went through whatever you did before you came to Montgomery, but I can’t say I’m not glad you did. It made you who are. No one else could have given these kids what you have.”

“How do I walk away from them?”

“You’re not walking away. You’re setting them free.”

Carter’s words settle something in my heart. Throughout the rest of the auditions, I watch their determined faces. These are not the same kids I started teaching months ago.

It doesn’t matter if they get into Westfield Prep. The rejection might shake their confidence, but it won’t break their spirit. They’re stronger now. They’re prepared either way.

“What are you thinking about?” Hart asks as we drive over to the diner. He made it the auditions right before their last group number. Hart has become a mentor to them just as much as I have.

“Leaving.” Hart squeezes my thigh where his hand is resting. I don’t have to elaborate. He knows. We’ve been talking about where we’ll be living next a lot lately. Every night in bed we make a bucket list for each potential city.

It’s been helping me focus on our future together and not what I’ll be leaving behind.

My dad, Tori, Sylvie, and Stephen are already inside the diner when we approach our reserved tables.

“Thank you for coming to support the kids,” I say giving everyone hugs.

“We’re here for you too, Lauren,” Victoria says. “We’re really proud of everything you’re doing.”

“Thanks. That means a lot.”

“Order whatever you want. It’s my treat,” my dad announces. The crew eagerly peruse the menus making mental lists of everything they are going to order when the waitress comes.

This is probably the first time they’ve had someone tell them there wasn’t a limit.

“They earned it,” my dad says proudly.

Nobody says anything when each kid orders two meals. Hart and I exchange knowing looks. One meal is for today and one is for tomorrow. Michie and Vivi will share their second meal with their families.

Conversation flows easily as we wait for our food. We get a recap of how they think they did during the auditions. Michie thinks she messed up her solo, but I doubt it. She’s always hard on herself.

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