“It’s not your fault.”

“We were like brothers. There must have been signs. I should’ve seen them.” Marco’s voice drops. “I never thought Deacon was capable of killing an innocent person. An abusive bastard like Cruz’s dad? Maybe. But Deacon isn’t the same guy I grew up with anymore—the one who risked his life for my sister. How do you go from crawling through broken glass to save a kid to beating someone to death three years later?”

“You’re asking the wrong person.”

Marco lifts my chin, and his eyes search mine. “I didn’t know about what happened to Noah. I would’ve turned Deacon in myself. You know that, right?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Marco traces the outline of my jaw.

“I couldn’t. You would’ve done something stupid.”

He nods. “You’re right. I would never let anyone hurt you.”

“Then you understand how I feel? And why I did it?”

Marco stares at the floor. “Everything except the part about you breaking up with me.”

“I made a deal with my dad.” The words come out as a whisper. But I know he heard them, because his body goes completely still.

Marco closes his eyes. “What kind of deal?”

“The night you got arrested—” I take a shuddering breath. “My dad told me he’d let you go if I promised to stop seeing you.”

Marco’s eyes fly open. His hands tunnel through the back of my hair and slide around to cup my face. “Does that mean you still love me?”

I look into his beautiful brown eyes. “I never stopped.” I touch Marco’s arm below the sleeve of his T-shirt and trace the black rose. “I don’t know if you can forgive me—”

“For what? Nobody has ever done anything like that for me before.” Marco brings my hand to his lips and kisses my palm. His hand curls around mine, and he holds it against his chest.

I slip my hand out of his and loop my arms around his neck. “I missed you every second, and I wanted to tell you.”

He pulls me closer and my body melts into his. “My life doesn’t make sense without you, Frankie. And I don’t want it to.”

Marco presses his lips against mine and the world slides back into place. I abandon every fear that kept me from giving myself to him, and I let go.

* * *

A lot can happen in two weeks.

Dad agreed to let me see Marco—not that he’s running out to buy the two of them matching sweaters. Marco and I don’t have much free time anyway, now that we both have probation officers and community service.

Richard, my not-so-terrible stepfather, paid for the damage to the Gullwing, and I’m working off the debt at charities of his choice—probably until I’m thirty. When I’m not doing that or going to school, I’m still fulfilling my community service at the rec center.

The district attorney didn’t bring charges against me for stealing the car, since it led to Deacon’s and Brian’s arrests. Tyson said Brian confessed so fast that he barely had enough time to find a pen. Deacon is currently residing at Jessup until his trial. Maybe they will let him share a cell with Marco’s father. I’ll have to testify against Deacon, but I’m looking forward to it.

Marco cut a deal for three years of probation and community service in exchange for giving the police the name of the guy he and Deacon were working for and information related to his auto theft operation. The guy is in jail, where he’ll stay until he goes to trial. Marco will have to testify, but Dad and Tyson busted some of the longshoremen who were involved, so Marco won’t be the only witness.

I stand in front of Dad’s building, waiting for Marco to pick me up.

When he finally pulls up, I hop in the Fastback. “You’re late.”

“Sorry. I was with Chief. He was working on something for me.” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“What?”

“He talked to my old teachers, and I might be able to get back on the AP track for some of my classes.”

I grab his shirt and pull him toward me. “I’m not surprised.”

My lips find his, and the sweet tension I missed so much rolls through me. I lean back to catch my breath. “I sort of have some news, too.”

He tilts his head to the side. “Give it up.”

“I decided to apply to American University in DC. They have lots of creative writing and journalism classes.”

“You’ll kick ass wherever you go.” He starts the car and drives out of the complex.

My admissions essay is almost done. After some prodding from Mrs. Hellstrom—who isn’t as crazy as I thought—I’m basing it on my journal.

It turns out that it isn’t just Noah’s story.

It’s mine, too.

When we reach our destination, Marco hands me the black mesh bag from the backseat.

“Ready?” he asks.

“I think so. Are you sure this isn’t a crazy idea?” I ask as we get out.

Marco takes my hand and we walk toward the building. “I never said it wasn’t crazy, but Sofia couldn’t talk Miss Lorraine into taking Cyclops.”

Miss Lorraine is applying to foster Sofia, and Child Protective Services granted her temporary guardianship. Marco is old enough to live on his own, but Chief insisted that Marco move in with him. Chief claims he’s going to teach Marco how to race for real, as he calls it. Marco said he’s going to teach Chief how to dress cooler.

I take a deep breath and open the glass door. The nurse looks up from the counter and smiles at me. “Someone has been waiting for you.”

Doubtful.

Marco squeezes my hand and I give her the bag. I’m starting to wish Dad hadn’t said yes.

The nurse returns with the one-eyed cat in the carrier. “He’s a little grouchy today, but he’ll let you hold him if you give him tuna and scratch behind his ears.”

I study Cyclops—the cat who never should’ve survived that first night at the animal hospital.

“Thanks.” I take the carrier, hoping he won’t claw me through the mesh. Cyclops watches me with his good eye and purrs when he sees Marco.

“He likes you better than me.”

Marco grins. “I’m pretty irresistible, and I feed him.”

“I guess.”