Page 29 of Edge of Forever

“Congratulations, baby.” He kisses me full on the mouth.

“Thank you.” I look at the flowers. “They’re so pretty.”

“Just like you.”

“Where is everyone else?”

“Waiting with the other parents in the lobby. But I scoped this out earlier and talked to someone in security, who told me you’d be exiting here.”

“Sneaky.” I grin. “I like it.”

“How does it feel?” he asks.

“Wonderful. I’m so excited to be free of school, ready to start the next phase of my life.”

“Me too.” He kisses me again and there’s something in his eyes I can’t quite describe.

“What is it?” I ask. “Is something wrong?”

“No, everything is fine.” He smiles. “I’m just really excited for you.”

“Thank you. I am too. And for my party tonight.”

Ford and Sydney are throwing me a huge graduation party at the house. Not only that, but all my musician friends are going to be performing. Kingston, Nobody’s Fool, Crimson Edge, and maybe even me. It’s going to be a fun night where I can celebrate with the people from both my worlds.

We walk toward the main lobby hand in hand, and I’m immediately swept up in congratulations, hugs, kisses, and flowers. I can’t help but think about my parents for a moment, wondering if they’d be proud of me or if this is just another non-event for them.

“I’m so proud of you!” Sydney whispers, hugging me for the third time.

I hug her back. “I couldn’t have done any of it without you. You know that, right?”

She shakes her head. “You’re strong, smart, and resilient—you would have found a way.”

I hesitate for a second. “Do you think…they know?”

She knows I’m referring to our parents and makes a face. “Maybe? You’ve been in the news a little bit since you’ve been hanging out at the studio, but even if they do, they don’t care enough to reach out. They never have. Do you want them to?”

“I don’twantthem to, but I guess there’s a part of me that doesn’t understand… how can they not care? Not about me or you or Colby. Who gives birth to three babies and just leaves them?”

“I don’t know.” We’re whispering amidst the excitement going on around us. “I just know that I could never do that. And no matter where you go or what you do or how famous you get—you always have a home with us. Whether it’s a place to come on vacation or a place to store your stuff while you’re on a world tour or just a place you come for holidays and special occasions—we are your family and your home.”

We look at each other for another moment and then burst into tears.

“What are we doing?” Ford demands softly, wrapping an arm around each of us. He’s really the world’s best brother-in-law. “There aren’t supposed to be tears tonight—please tell me this isn’t about your sperm donor and his wife.”

Sydney and I giggle, sniffling through our tears.

Ford hates our parents even more than we do.

A moment later two tissues appear, and I look into Sam’s handsome face.

“Thank you,” I whisper, blowing my nose and then dabbing at my eyes.

“I hate to see you cry,” he says, pulling me close.

“We just had a sister moment.” I sniff. “We’re okay now.”

“Ready to go party?” Sydney asks me.

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