Page 107 of Campus Crush
I was about to turn around and go back inside—even though I desperately didn’t want to have to keep a smile on my face for another person to tell me how much they loved Gram when I was already missing her with every fiber of my being—when Foster came out.
I caught sight of the jacket in his hand first—my jacket—and when my gaze met his again, the dam broke.
My tears fell as he wrapped his arms around me, offering the warm comfort I’d grown so used to.
“What do you need?” he asked, his voice soft against my hair.
“A break,” I said shakily. I wasn’t just talking about a break from the people inside.
I wanted a break from loss. I wanted a break from worry, especially after my most recent meeting with Gram’s lawyer.
I took a deep, shuddering breath. “I met with Mr. Holloway yesterday. He’s the lawyer who handled Gram’s will.”
Foster’s brow furrowed. “You didn’t mention that.”
I leaned back against the wall, suddenly exhausted. “Gram left everything to Mason and me—the house, her savings. But there’s a problem.”
“What kind of problem?”
“Mason’s still a minor. He’s only seventeen.” I closed my eyes, remembering the conversation with the lawyer. “Gram didn’t specify a guardian for him in her will. She probably thought she had more time, since his birthday is in seven months, or maybe she just assumed I would take care of him. But legally…” My voice trailed off.
“Legally, you need to be appointed his guardian,” Foster finished for me.
I nodded. “Mr. Holloway says I need to petition the court. There will be hearings, home visits to make sure I’m providing a suitable environment. And I’ll need to prove I can financially support him.”
The enormity of it all washed over me again. I was barely keeping my own head above water with school, work, and my internship. How was I supposed to become the legal guardian of a teenager?
“I can’t lose him, Foster,” I said, my voice breaking. “He’s all I have left. But I don’t know how I’m going to manage all of this. The legal fees alone?—”
“Hey,” Foster interrupted, taking my face in his hands. “Listen to me. You’re not alone in this. I’m here. Sam’s here. The guys. We’ve all got your back. We’ll figure it out. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me?”
“But—”
“No buts. We’re a team. You’re not doing this alone.” His thumbs gently wiped away the tears on my cheeks. “When do you need to meet with the lawyer again?”
“Next week. He’s going to start the paperwork, but there’s so much to consider. Where we’ll live, how I’ll support us both, my school schedule…” I shook my head, overwhelmed. It was all so incredibly daunting. “And Mason—he’s so withdrawn. I’m worried about him, but I don’t know how to break through to him.”
Foster pulled me close again. “One step at a time, okay? We’ll make a plan. Maybe Gordy, Drew, and Liam can spend more time with Mason—they seem to be connecting with him. As for the rest, we’ll figure it out. I promise.”
I wanted desperately to believe him, to trust that somehow everything would work out. But the reality of my situation felt crushing—a college student with no parents, no grandparents, and now responsible for a grieving teenage brother.
“I’m scared,” I admitted, the words barely audible.
Foster pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I know. But you’re also incredibly strong and capable. And you don’t have to be strong all the time. That’s what I’m here for.”
I hugged him tighter. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
We stood there for a few more minutes, the sounds ofthe reception muffled by the closed door. Eventually, I knew we had to go back inside. People would be wondering where I was, and I needed to check on Mason.
“Ready?” Foster asked, sensing my thoughts.
I took a deep breath and nodded. “As I’ll ever be.”
FIFTY-FOUR
Between my tutoring job, my internship, my classes, and dealing with Gram’s estate, I felt like I’d barely had any time to breathe or grieve.
