Becky and Marcus nod, but Dad’s face pulls into a chagrinned grimace. I know he feels guilty about not being able to help with college.
I’m sort of bouncing in my chair as I continue, unable to contain my excitement. “I was thinking that I might get enough to afford JC, but my counselor called me into the office today and told me I scored the Harmon Grant.”
“What’s the Harmon Grant?” Marcus asks.
“I guess Ramsey Harmon was this really rich alum who left his money as an endowment for Roosevelt High when he died. One senior every year gets a full ride to the college of their choice.”
“You got a full scholarship?” Becky asks, rising from her chair and hugging me. “Oh my God! That’s incredible, Addie!”
“Thanks!” The possibilities are still whirring through my mind, but I’ve gotten in to every four-year school I’ve applied to, so now I can actually go to one of them.
Marcus takes my hand under the table when Becky lets me go. “Congrats”
I smile at him and squeeze his hand, because I won’t be living at home next year after all. I tingle with the thought of having more freedom to be with him.
When I glance at Dad, he’s got his elbows on the table and his fingers tented in front of his nose, partially hiding his quivering lips. But there’s the definite gleam of moisture in his eyes.
“I’m so freaking proud of you, Addie. I hate that I put us in a position that meant you were going to have to compromise.” A sad smile ghosts over his face. “But leave it to you to dig yourself out of the hole I put us in.”
I scrape back my chair and hug him. “We’re going to be fine, Dad.”
I’ve always thought that line was a cop out. Meaningless words to be said when there was nothing else to say. But as they leave my mouth, for the first time in a long time, I realize I actually believe them.
I slip into my seat and look between he and Becky as they smile at each other. “So the only other thing that would make this night better is if you two had some news to share.”
Both of their gazes snap to me.
“Go ahead,” I say. “I’m ready.”
Becky tips her head at me as Dad leans back in his chair, his gaze searching my face. It’s clear from their expressions, shocked and a little chagrinned, that they both understand I’m referring to their affair.
“How much do you know?” Dad asks after a beat.
“I know about then,” I say, my heart aching, but in a whole different way than it has since Mom died. “Tell me about now.”
Acknowledgements
I was terrified to write these books. I was even more terrified the day the first book in the series, Getting Dirty, published. All I can say is I’ve got the best readers in the world! Thanks to every one of you who picked up either of the Jail Bait novels and gave them a try. I truly appreciate you spending your valuable time with Marcus and Addie. That includes the many bloggers and authors who helped spread the word. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I only found the courage to write these books because of Katy Evans’ encouragement and support. Thank you, my lovely. Thanks also to the ladies at New Leaf Literary, who have come to my rescue and made this into the book I thought I wrote. Suzie Townsend’s incredible eye for the gem buried in the rubble has been a Godsend these many years, and Danielle Barthel’s eye for my many booboos as made my work readable. Thanks also to Danielle Sanchez and K.P. Simmon at Inkslinger for all their encouragement and endless hours of support. And, always, thank you to my family for…everything. I love you.
About the Author Mia Storm is a hopeless romantic who is always searching for her happy ending. Sometimes she’s forced to make one up. When that happens, she’s thrilled to be able to share those stories with her readers. She lives in California and spends much of her time in the sun with a book in one hand and a mug of black coffee in the other, or hiking the trails in Yosemite.
Connect with her online at MiaStormAuthor.blogspot.com, on Twitter at @MiaStormAuthor, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MiaStormAuthor.