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“No, I didn’t hurt her” Kingston scoffs “Jesus, thanks for your vote of confidence I didn’t do anything I just reminded her that if she or any of her minions fucked with you, I’d take that as a personal attack on me Peyton may act obtuse sometimes, but she’s not stupid None of them are”

I chew on that for a moment “I don’t have money to spend on a dress and I’o to the lake but not the dance”

“I’ll cover the dress,” Kingston grumbles “And whatever the fuck else you need Consider it a birthday present”

My apes “How do you know about that?”

Kingston gives me a look that says, Really?

“Wait,” Ainsley interjects “When’s your birthday?”

“The day of the dance,” Kingston answers

“September twenty-fifth,” I reply at the same time

Ainsley’s eyes widen “We’ll celebrate your birthday at the lake! I’ll get you a cake and everything”

Kingston speaks quietly againstdate with your sister—every Sunday unless you say otherwise We can come back from the lake early, pick her up, and spend the day in Santa Monica if you want”

Tears prick atto spend rief Now, I had two people offering to make my mom’s absence a little less painful How can I say no to that?

I sigh “Okay, I’m in”

Ainsley claps her hands excitedly “We should all go to the dance together!”

“I’ood with that” Reed takes a bite of his pizza

“Me too But only if Jazzy Jazz saves lots of rooston and s with me”