a temporary sling. Her mother, a prominent member of the school board, hovered over her, dabbing at her daught

the coach, Sabrina'

pain. It was a calculated performance. "You were ri

Ethan Lester, I heard you were right besi

k," I said, my voice flat a

always protected me." She was trying to re-establish the old dynamic,

change,"

. Matthew has his big scholarship interview next week, and I need to be there for him. But I can't even

me to her, to make me her errand boy, to keep me under

nt smirk. He thought this was a done deal. He thought I

" I

Sabrina' s face froz

was clear and public. "I have my own things

on washed over Sabrina's face. She had tried to manipulate me in front of an audience, and I had

ffice, leaving her sputtering in disbelief. I didn't go to the

nfirm that all my application materials for the Miller St

te. In fact, the board just sent their final approval. The o

followed by a cold dread. The approval was already s