Read Until Next Time (The Shooting Stars Series) for Free Online

explained.
    “Jackson must seem small after all those big cities,” Katherine noted.
    “I think Mom was ready for a slower pace,” he shrugged. “Mom always avoided the south until now so I was a little surprised when she picked here. I don’t know; here lately I never know what to expect from her,” he shared.
    “Why’s that?” Katherine asked of him as she admired the way his eyes and hair matched almost perfectly.
    “She used to drink a lot on the weekends but here lately it’s any time she isn’t at work,” he admitted.
    “Your mom drinks?” she asked in concern.
    “Yeah. I’m fine, Kaitlyn, quit worrying, I can see it in your eyes,” he told her.
    Katherine tried to sweep aside the tightness in her chest. It hurt her to think of Adam not having a proper dad or mom.
    “What’s your favorite childhood memory? I know you have to have one,” she asked him and watched him smile.
    “When we first moved to Detroit it was winter and school was just letting out for Christmas break. We weren’t even unpacked yet but it snowed heavily and mom played hooky from work. We spent the day in the courtyard building snowmen and playing. That’s when we met Uncle Jack. He saw us, stepped out of his apartment, and stood at the railing to watch us. I remember thinking I was too old to be seen with my mom, but that day it didn’t matter. I didn’t care; I had my mom all to myself. What’s yours?”
    “Probably the weekend we spent at the lake with my grandparents the summer before my grandfather died. It was the last time we were really all together,” Katherine smiled.
    “What are you doing after graduation?”
    “College. You?”
    “Don’t know yet.”
    “You should go to college. You have a very quick mind.”
    “I’m not college material,” Adam argued with a shake of his head.
    “Adam, you are very smart. I study with you almost every night; remember? So don’t tell me you aren’t college material.”
    “I’m not. Besides what would I go for?”
    “Learn to mix music.”
    “That’s an idea. But still…” he shrugged.
    Katherine sighed and studied him a moment. “Who shut you out when you wanted to be included, Adam?”
    Adam startled as he turned to look at Kaitlyn. How could she know that?
    “Why would you ask that?” he demanded.
    “Because you try hiding behind a mask of indifference but I see you, Adam. I know better. I also know how smart you are; do you?”
    Adam could only stare at her a moment before he looked away. He didn’t like that she could see into him so easily.
    “Are you afraid of failing?” she asked softly.
    Adam wanted to lash out at her, intended to until he turned and read the sincerity in her eyes. He swallowed hard; he was pretty sure no one had ever believed in him before.
    “It’s easy for you Kaitlyn; it isn’t as easy for everyone,” he finally offered and saw the disappointment in her eyes; it made him feel as though he had already failed before he had even tried.
    “Are you going to the prom?” she changed the subject.
    “I have never been to a school dance in my life,” he mumbled.
    “So that’s a no then?”
    “I haven’t decided.”
    “Adam, it’s only three weeks away.”
    “I know.”
    “Why wouldn’t you go?”
    “Why would I? So I can say I did?”
    “That’s right, you and all the other non-conformists are all going to skip so that you can be different together,” she said to the air.
    Adam was laughing. “You are incorrigible.”
    “I know,” her green eyes were sparkling.
    “Who are you going with?” he asked her.
    “No one. I was asked but I didn’t know any of them well enough to go and relax and I want to be able to relax and enjoy the night,” she shrugged.
    “So let’s go together,” he proposed; she smiled.
    “Are you serious?”
    “I am,” he nodded.
    “Okay,” she agreed.
    “Great. Mom’s gonna freak,” he was grinning.
    “Why’s that?”
    “She’s been after me to go but I said I wasn’t