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PROLOGUE

-CAMERON-

Mom says that there's absolutely no pain worse than labor For sixteen hours, so she says, she went through absolute hell She jokes that sometimes she wonders if it orth it I call bullshit I say that nothing, absolutely nothing, can feel worse than being hit in the junk with a baseball bat

Lincoln's eyes are huge as he grimaces "I'm so sorry, Cam"

I'm folded over myself, too preoccupied with the ache below my stomach Sometimes, there's a delay with the pain But not this ti comes out He looks like he wants to cry and I want to assure hiood—but I can't Lia The little punk I'll be sure to make him do extra shit next practice "Cam, are you okay?"

I try to straighten, but it just otta let it settle"

"I swear I didn't see you behind me" There's panic clear in his voice and for a second I want to tella little bitch, but I can't do that either The pain's too overwhel

Lia his ass off

My eyes narrow at him, and Lincoln must notice because he turns to his brother and pushes hiround That ets up and dusts the dirt off his uniforo, Linc, we're the last ones here"

Lincoln looks around So do I Liaone

"I' up the tea by ain, and I can see how truly sorry he is

Standing to full height, I do nore the pain "It's okay, Linc Seriously, it's passed now" It hasn't, but he doesn't need to know that He finishes packing anyway, and hands er than he is

I take it froain "Your mom or dad late to pick you up?"

"Nah," Liaone "Lucy's here"

"Lucy?"

"Our sister," Lincoln explains

They both turn to the bleachers I follow their gaze

A lone girl sits on the bottoular is in her hand, kind of like a tablet I guess Her eyes are focused on it, while her foot rocks a stroller back and forth

It strikes irl looks familiar She's in my class She's a sophomore and she has a baby? Stuff like that doesn't happen in our town and if it did, I'd know

Everyone would know

"Lucy!" Liam shouts

She doesn't look up

"Lucy!" Lincoln this time