Page 62 of Easy Out

“Thanks. Me too.”

“Do you want to talk about her?” She shakes her head. “What was the group home like?”

“It wasn’t bad. Lots of kids in different age groups. I guess that was the hardest. It was never quiet. You were never alone. I shared a room with five other girls.”

“That probably made living with Sydney a breeze.” A smile pops on her face.

“One would think,” she jokes earning a laugh from me. “I didn’t pay attention to people, and they didn’t pay attention to me. I kept busy with school and helping around the house.”

“Like braiding hair and cooking?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing happened to me. Like I said, I’ve never even kissed anyone before. The boys would hint at it, but they never messed with me when the other girls were willing.”

That’s a relief. I’m not sure how I would react knowing someone took advantage of Lauren in some way. It’s bad enough that I want to hunt down her foster parents.

“My turn to ask the questions.” I think I did a good job explaining myself earlier. Not sure what else there is to say.

“Fine.”

“What did you say to Carter?” I’d forgotten all about that guy. I’m not his biggest fan. Walking into her house and seeing him in her face, sent fury through my veins.

“Nothing. I told him he can’t point fingers at you or talk to you like that. If he did it again, there would be problems.” It’s becoming a full-time job defending Lauren. A job I'll gladly do.

“You didn’t have to do that. I can handle Carter.”

“I’m sure you can, cariño. It doesn’t mean you have to. Not anymore. You have me now.”

“I have you now? What does that even mean?” I let out an exasperated sigh. For someone who takes care of so many people, it is shocking how little she lets other people help her.

I lift her out of her seat and put her on my lap. She attempts to move back, but I swat the side of her thigh. “Stay.”

“We’re in the library.”

"Sí, we are. No one will bother us up here." Lauren knows it too. Our research shows that this part of the library is hardly used for anything other than hooking up. Tentatively she places her hands on my biceps. I loop my arms around her back.

“I like you, Lauren.” I hold her closer. “When I say you have me, I mean you have me. Whatever you need, I’m here for you. I want to be someone you can depend on. And before you say something.” It’s on the tip of her tongue to start arguing with me. “I know this isn’t easy for you. Let me show you that I’m different. Okay?”

Lauren’s eyes trace the Newhouse Knights logo on my chest while I hold my breath waiting for her to respond to my declaration.

“Okay.” She exhales. “I like you too.” I roll my lips to hide my grin. “You’re a lot sweeter than you let on, you know.”

“Don’t tell anyone. It’s our secret.” I kiss her again. It’s a high being able to kiss her whenever I want now that the door has been opened. “We should get to work,” I grasp her hips and reluctantly lift her off my lap.

We spend the next hour putting the finishing touches on our paper. Lauren is a really good writer. It’s obvious that she got to Newhouse on the back of her talent. Her words have the same power that she does. They grip you and pull you into the story. I’m basically moral support and a proofreader at this point in our duo.

Walking back to her dorm, Lauren updates me on the kids’ progress on their auditions. They told me most of this earlier at dinner, but I let Lauren ramble on.

She asked about my baseball practice. I tell her about the new guys on the team and how extreme Coach is with so many of the seniors entering the draft. Lauren’s shoulders go tense when I mention the draft. I want to ask why, but I'm afraid of her answer.

“What are we doing here, Hart?” Lauren asks when we get to her door.

“Something good, cariño. Something really good,“ I say and kiss her goodnight one more time.

15

LAUREN

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