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minute I step inside the house.
    “Good.” I kick off my shoes near the door and then step into the family room where Aunt Callie sits on the couch, wearing sweats, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.
    It’s quiet. Too quiet. I glance around, panic taking root in my stomach. “Where are Zander and Bristol?”
    “They’re napping .” Her blue eyes crinkle. “They’re fine, Colt.”
    I nod, allowing my chest to expand as I exhale. Then I sink down onto the couch next to her. The scent of coffee beans clings to my skin. It’s foreign and reminds me of how much I’m changing here.
    “You don’t need to worry about them so much. You’re only a teenager yourself,” Callie says softly, her hand dropping onto my arm.
    I shake it off, not used to the affection. My skin crawls. “It’s fine. Not everyone gets a normal childhood, you know?”
    “Yeah, I do.” And I know that Callie does. All too well. “But I’m not going to drop you guys. I’m here for you. You can trust me.”
    I want to believe her, but I’ve heard it all before. Pushing myself off the couch, I stand up. I don’t want to sit here and let her plant seeds of hope in my heart. If I allow them to bloom, it’ll hurt worse when she lets me down. Better to not hope at all. “I’m beat. If the other kids ar e napping, I think I'll take one too.”
    She nods, her face sad. She speaks when I reach the hallway. “Hey, Colt?”
    I crane my neck. “Yeah?”
    “I’m proud of you.” She pauses, picking at a thread on the couch. “Just thought you should know that.”
    A lump rises in my throat, but I swallow it down. Nodding, I turn quickly and hurry down the hallway. I get to the room that I stay in and step inside. It’s not decorated, and it never will be. Decorating means staying, it means putting down roots, it means permanent. I won’t trick myself that way. Nowhere is permanent. Even though this room has a dresser, it’s empty. I keep my clothes in a bag. So when we do have to leave unexpectedly, it will be like I expected it all along.
    Aunt Callie gave me my own room when we first moved in, saying that at my age I should have a space that’s all my own. I was so happy initially. It’s the first time I’ve had my own space, after all. Now I feel like it’s a curse. I never knew how great it was to have my own room. Now I do, so it’ll be harder to let it go. That’s another reason I don’t personalize anything in here.
    I pull off my shirt and toss it in the hamper in the corner. Then I lie on top of the bed. It’s too hot to put on the thick comforter, so I just lie on the top of the bed staring at the ceiling.
    Paige’s face emerges in my mind. It was a mistake to let her drive me to Callie’s. Once we got here I realized how impractical this whole thing is. At Bud’s, there were moments when I foolishly imagined what it would be like to have a relationship with her. But when she pulled up here, it hit me how stupid and impractical I’m being. My life isn’t stable. I’m not the kind of guy who can have a normal relationship.
    Sure, it might be fun to pretend I’m someone different than I am for a little while. But it won’t last. She’ll figure out who I really am. They all will. And then it will be over. The same way it always is, and I’ll be left to pick up the pieces the same way I always do.
     
    It’s way too early to be up, and I wonder how long I’ll be able to keep up with these crazy work hours. I’m careful not to make any noise when I get ready. The kids and Aunt Callie are all sleeping and I don’t want to wake any of them, especially not Bristol. After putting my piercings back in and slipping on my old pair of black Converse, I head outside.
    I close the door and glance up, my breath hitching in my throat. Paige’s car is parked along the curb and she stands outside, leaning against the side of it.
    “Good morning.” She smiles, and I realize that her smile is becoming my favorite thing in