Chapter 49

The three of us sat huddled together on gym bleachers at Tripp's school, waiting for his name to be called during the awards ceremony. Liam hooted and hollered as loudly as Hayden and I did when he walked out to accept the title of "Best Manners." My heart melted when Cash looked up at us and waved. He was cute as hell with his spiked hair, polo shirt, jeans, and Docs. Blowing him a kiss, I tried to remember where the last seven years had gone.

He was tough as nails but had the sweetest heart of any child I'd ever known. Wildly popular among the other students, he never let anyone be left out-ever. That child didn't see race, status, social ranking-all he saw were humans to love. My guess was this would backfire loudly when he was a teen, but right now, we each embraced him for his genuine soul.

After Cash collected his awards, we saw him for a brief hello. He returned to class with his friends, and the three of us clamored back to the car.