I’m sandwiched between him and Ruby. I have no clue how she and Ash managed to score tickets for today, but they’re here supporting our graduating friends.
A wave of sadness washes over me that so many of the people who have been a part of our everyday lives for so long are going to be heading off to college soon and leaving us behind to endure another year at Rosewood High.
“Nah. If I were graduating now, it would have been from Creek High, and no one wants their diploma from there. It’s better this way,” he says, smiling down at me and squeezing my hand.
I know he’s telling the truth, but still a part of me wonders how much he hates having to do another year.
“Plus,” he adds. “I could never begrudge spending more time with you even if it means more high school.”
Tingles race through me as I think about what our senior year is going to entail, and I can’t fight my smile.
As expected, both Ruby and Ash have been promoted to captains of the cheer squad and the football team, with Kyle and I as their assistants.
Our new senior team might not quite match up to the ones who are down there with their caps and gowns on, but with a few more months of hard work, Ash and Kyle are confident that they’ll see some success this year and do Jake and the boys proud.
Ruby and I are equally as positive when it comes to our new squad.
We were both blown away by the standard of the girls who turned up to tryouts a few weeks ago, even Chelsea was stunned.
And despite the fact we’re now missing one of our key players, I’m pretty confident that nationals could be in our future once more.
I really fucking hope so because I’ll give anything to see Rubes lift that trophy. Hell knows she’s worked hard enough for it.
Pulling my cell from my pocket, I quickly snap a picture of all the graduates sitting in the rows in front of the stage and send it to Stella.
Only a couple of weeks after our break in the mountains, she showed up at school bearing the news we were all dreading.
She was leaving.
And she wasn’t just hopping across the country this time, she was leaving the country and heading to England like she feared she might be.
“How’s she doing?” Kyle asks, noticing who I’m messaging.
“She’s good. Bored. She’s not starting at her new school until September and she’s beginning to lose her mind I think.”
“Can’t she come back for the summer?”
I open my mouth to reply, but think better of it and shoot her another message making the suggestion, but I don’t get to wait to see her response because Principal Hartmann takes to the stage to begin the ceremony.
He talks through this year’s graduating class’s successes. He reminisces on the team’s incredible season before discussing other teams and other events that deserve celebrating until he gets to our impressive second chance at nationals the other month.
When he starts inviting the students up to get their diplomas and to individually congratulate them, I begin to get emotional.
Because he can read me like a book, Kyle turns to me and places a kiss on my cheek.
“I fucking love you,” he whispers in my ear.
“This is ridiculous,” I mutter, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand as I watch my brother take to the stage. I glance over at Poppy who’s sitting beside Mom and notice that I’m not the only one in tears.
She notices my attention and looks over, giving me a sad smile.
I know that Zayn is only going to MKU—after a very long discussion with Mom about his change of plans—and it’s not far away, but the two of them have become very used to being in each other’s pockets every minute of the day. It’s going to be another huge adjustment for Pops. But I’ve got every confidence that she can handle it. Even if it means she takes over my place as the gooseberry of the group. I have a feeling that Zayn will be home any chance he gets, or he’ll be sneaking her into his dorm at every possible opportunity. He tried to convince Mom to get him an apartment, but she drew the line at that, although I can’t help thinking that she’s just holding off until Poppy joins him in a year’s time—because we all know that’s what she’s going to do.
“What are you thinking about?” Kyle whispers in my ear.
“The future.”
“Ah, and what does that look like?”
I shrug. We’ve both said we want to go to college, but we haven’t talked much more about it since our drive back from the mountains. It’s something we really need to sit down and discuss as senior year rolls around. I have no huge desire to go anywhere specific, Letty and Zayn—not that he’s following his, since he found love—were the ones with the college dreams, I’d just be happy to get in after my struggle with math.
“I’m not sure other than we’ll be together.”
“Hell yeah, we will,” he agrees with a smile, lifting my hand to his mouth.
I was worried the ceremony would take forever, but all too soon, the final students make their way up to the stage and we’re listening to Hartmann close the ceremony.
“I can’t believe my last baby will be up there next year,” Mom muses as we make our way down to go and find the graduates.
“Don’t go getting all emosh on me, Mom,” I joke, earning an amused smirk from Kyle. We both know I was the one fighting with my emotions the last hour.
“I’m not. I’m good,” she lies. “I’m so proud of you all, you know that, right?” she asks, pulling me to a stop, forcing others to swerve around us. “I know I’ve been hard on you all about your education and your future, but it’s only because I want you to have all the options that your father and I didn’t have.” Dad stands awkwardly behind us, obviously hearing Mom’s words.
“We know, Mom, and we appreciate it.” I reach out and squeeze her hand when I see a little sadness creep in.
She’s worried about Letty, we all are after her radio silence the past few weeks. It’s not like her and the longer she ignores us, the more concerned I’m getting.
She was more than just my sister when we were kids, she was one of my best friends and I can’t help feeling abandoned. It’s ridiculous, I know. She’s probably just off living her best life, but there’s a heaviness in my gut that tells me it’s not that at all. Her Instagram is empty, whereas before it was full of nights out and her laughing with her new college friends.
Something is wrong. I know it is.
We take off again, searching for Zayn through the crowd.
Unsurprisingly, Poppy is the first to spot him and she flies at him. He catches her and spins her around with a wide smile on his face before slowing to a stop and planting his lips on hers.
“They’re not going to cope well, are they?” Mom mutters, clearly having similar thoughts to me earlier.
“They’ll be fine. Plus, it’s only for a few months then she can join him.”
“And what about you two?”
“We’re going together,” Kyle states, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
She shakes her head at us and turns back to congratulate Zayn.
The others surround us, all the seniors have wide smiles on their faces as the team and the squad congregates together, the guys all pulling their girls into their sides.
“We fucking did it, motherfuckers,” Jake booms over our group as a round of cheers sound out.
“Time to fucking celebrate,” Ethan adds, slamming his lips down on Rae’s and crushing her against his body.
“Too fucking right.” Amalie is the next to be molested before Mason drags Cami into his arms, and Shane rubs his hand lovingly over Chelsea’s bulging stomach. She’s due any day now and I swear she’s never looked more beautiful.
I look around at my friends, that lump back, clogging my throat as I think about having a year here without them all. I glance at Justin and Rich who are both laughing, I’ll probably even miss those idiots.
“You okay, Kitten?” Kyle asks, pressing his front against my b
ack and wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Yeah,” I force out as Ash and Ruby join us. “It’s just the end of an era, you know.”
“It is,” Ruby agrees. “But next year is our year.”
“Fucking right it is,” Ash booms. “We’ve got it in the bag. Rosewood High doesn’t know what’s about to hit them.”
We watch the celebrations unfold for a few more minutes before everyone begins to disperse to celebrate with their families before the party at Ethan’s this evening.
Excitement races through me as I think about the wild night we’ve all got ahead of us.
“Right, I’ve got him, let’s go,” Mom says, dragging Zayn along behind her.
We head to Zayn’s favorite restaurant for a meal to celebrate, just like we did two years ago for Letty.
I glance at the empty chair, a heaviness I’m beginning to get used to pressing down on my shoulders.
She should have been here today, and although Zayn hasn’t said anything about her absence, I know it’s hurt him. I can see it in his eyes.
“To Zayn,” Mom says, dragging me from my thoughts and holding her drink up in a toast. “Congrats, baby. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.”
Dad sits awkwardly at the other end of the table not saying a word as Zayn reaches over and takes Poppy’s hand under the table.
“Thanks, Mom. For everything. We couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
“Always.” She nods, her own eyes looking a little glassy.
“Now let’s eat before you all want to leave to get drunk.” She rolls her eyes in mock annoyance.
The food is incredible, and both Zayn and Kyle eat more than I thought possible.
We say goodbye to Dad in the parking lot, all of us promise to come and visit soon. It’s been a few weeks since we all ventured back to the Creek and I feel bad about not seeing him more, but the truth is, all of us hate that place, and aside from big events like this, he refuses to leave. It makes things hella awkward.
The drive back with Mom and Kyle is in silence. Tension comes off her in waves showing what an effort she’s put in to appear so positive and put together in front of my dad.
She’d never admit it, but I’m pretty sure she still loves him deep down. Hell knows she begged him enough to start this new life with us.
Kyle squeezes my hand in support, and I smile over at him, glad he was able to come today.
My mood instantly changes though when Mom pulls up to the house beside a car I feel like I haven’t seen in forever.
“Letty is here.”
I fly from the car and toward the house as Zayn pulls in behind us and screeches to a halt before he also jumps out, following me inside.
There are bags in the hallway and I take off toward the kitchen when I hear a noise but I soon come to a grinding halt when I get a look at my older sister.
She’s got tears cascading down her cheeks, and when I drop my eyes down her body, I find her thinner than I think I’ve ever seen.
“Letty,” I gasp, racing toward her as Mom steps into the doorway.
“Scarlett, what’s wrong?”
“I’m so sorry, Mom,” she sobs as Mom pushes past Zayn to wrap her oldest daughter in her arms. “I’m so sorry, I’ve totally let you down.”
Lifting my head from Letty’s shoulder, Zayn and I exchange concerned glances as Kyle comes to stand beside him watching Letty break in our arms.
Guilt covers his face but somehow I don’t think this has anything to do with Kane. Or at least, I hope not.
Letty & Kane’s story is coming in my upcoming new MADDISON KINGS UNIVERSITY series.
ADD BOOK 1 TO YOUR TBR NOW
Acknowledgments
I can’t believe this is it. The end of an era!
This series means so much to me. It was totally unexpected, Jake and the boys we’re totally unexpected to me. But when Jake popped into my head, he would not freaking leave, no matter how much I begged him. And am I so glad he stuck around!
I hope you enjoyed the final book in this series and Harley finally getting her HEA. I’ve had their story in my head for a long time, I always knew her boy wasn’t going to be Kane, sorry to those of you who were gunning for him.
But, as you may have guessed, this isn’t the end for Kane, or many of our boys because in only a few months, we’re heading to Maddison Kings University.
I’m giving you a whole bunch of new characters that I know you’re going to love along with some of the ones from Rosewood that you already know and love.
I can’t wait to bring you these stories.
So there’s only one last thing to say, THANK YOU for still being here with me. The fact you’ve read this entire series and invited my boys into your lives means everything to me.
Here’s to what comes next…
Tracy xo
P.S. Don’t worry, I may just have a plan for Stella too!
About the Author
Tracy Lorraine is a new adult and contemporary romance author. Tracy has recently turned thirty and lives in a cute Cotswold village in England with her husband, baby girl and lovable but slightly crazy dog. Having always been a bookaholic with her head stuck in her Kindle, Tracy decided to try her hand at a story idea she dreamt up and hasn’t looked back since.
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www.tracylorraine.com
Also by Tracy Lorraine
Falling Series
Falling for Ryan: Part One #1
Falling for Ryan: Part Two #2
Falling for Jax #3
Falling for Daniel (An Falling Series Novella)
Falling for Ruben #4
Falling for Fin #5
Falling for Lucas #6
Falling for Caleb #7
Falling for Declan #8
Falling For Liam #9
Forbidden Series
Falling for the Forbidden #1
Losing the Forbidden #2
Fighting for the Forbidden #3
Craving Redemption #4
Demanding Redemption #5
Avoiding Temptation #6
Chasing Temptation #7
Rebel Ink Series
Hate You #1
Trick You #2
Defy You #3
Play You #4
Inked (A Rebel Ink/Driven Crossover)
Rosewood High Series
Thorn #1
Paine #2
Savage #3
Fierce #4
Hunter #5
Faze (#6 Prequel)
Fury #6
Legend #7
Maddison Kings University Series
TNYN: Prequel
TRYS #1
Ruined Series
Ruined Plans #1
Ruined by Lies #2
Ruined Promises #3
Never Forget Series
Never Forget Him #1
Never Forget Us #2
Everywhere & Nowhere #3
Chasing Series
Chasing Logan
The Cocktail Girls
His Manhattan
Her Kensington
Co-written with Angel Devlin
Hot Daddy Series
Hot Daddy Sauce #1
Baby Daddy Rescue #2
The Daddy Dilemma #3
Single Daddy Seduction #4
Hot Daddy Package #5
B.A.D. Inc. Series
Torment #1
Ride #2
Bait #3
LEGEND: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Rosewood High Book 7) Page 37
