It was nearing the end of the school year, only a couple more months until graduation, then I would be thrusted into the world of university. The logical portion of my mind knew I should have been spending as much time as possible with my nose in the books. But to be completely honest, even though it was noon on a Tuesday, I would much rather be here in this basement with Lincoln than anywhere near a classroom.

"Did we take a picture of that?" I questioned, gesturing towards the framed photograph of a Mustang. "I forgot." Not even bothering to glance up from my laptop screen I awaited Lincoln's response.

"Yeah. It was one of the first things we photographed."

"Then why can't I find it?" The question was directed more so to myself, nevertheless, Lincoln wasted no time in taking a jab at my work ethic.

"You had one job California, one job." He mused from his spot in the cramped nook of his basement.

I flipped him off from where I sat, perched on a less than stable box. "Maybe if I was getting paid more than a piece of chocolate an hour for my services I'd have more motivation to do a better job."

Breezily Lincoln turned his vision on me. "I can motivate you." His brows wiggled furiously, encouraging an eruption of giggles.

"Ew, stop you're reminding me of Andrew."

Lincoln peeled back to the lid of another box. "Only better looking, right?"

Ignoring his ego I returned back to the task at hand; searching for that one stray picture in a sea of .jpg files. "You get back to work, we need to finish this by today. You can't afford to miss another day of classes."

"Well if you would just do your job properly we wouldn't have to worry about that, would we?" Without taking my eyes away from the screen I flipped him the bird. When the rumble of his laughter filled the underground room I knew he had taken notice of my gesture. The hardy sound travelled across the concrete walls, caressing my spine.

"Why can't we do this after school again?" I asked, feeling the need to create conversation.

"Because I'm trying to keep this on the down low from my mother."

The Mustang photograph appeared on the screen of my laptop. A rush of relief came over me at the knowledge that I wouldn't have to get up from my spot to take another picture. "And why's that?" I asked clicking on the eBay tab.

"Because I don't think she would be too okay with us selling his shit. I'd rather not worry her more so than she already is."

At his explanation I paused my typing, the clicking sound now dissipating. "What's there to be afraid of?"

"Him finding out and coming back to throw a hissy fit over his sold trash."

"Well, I can see how that could cause problems..."

Lincoln sighed, maneuvering one box only to stack it on another. "Don't you get cold feet too."

"I'm not." I assured him in a hurry. "I just don't want your mother to get upset with me."

"You have nothing to worry about." It was his turn to reassure me. "In her eyes you could do no wrong, saved her family and tutored her no-life of a son. She loves you. I can't understand why."

His last sentence had me reaching out for a forgotten stuffed animal prior to aiming for his head.

"Hey!" He scolded after ducking out of the way. "No damaging the merchandise."

"I thought we weren't selling Hoppy." I teased while poking out my tongue.

"We're not." He reconfirmed, the fist sized rabbit in his hands. "I meant my face. I kinda need that." With that being said he flung the toy back in my direction.

"Why? Who do you need to impress, eh?"

The easy smirk that always managed to unleash the butterflies found it's way onto his face. "College girls."

Shaking my head at his tactics I choose to direct my attention to something other than my reddening cheeks. "Did you ask Phil about those?"

Lincoln's eyes followed the line of my pointer finger to an over flowing container of spare car parts. "Yeah," kicking a lone box out of his way he continued, "when he called about Vikki I asked. He said he'd take a look but he can probably give me a few hundred for what's in there. They're always down for spare parts at the shop."

"I figured he'd take them." Treading carefully I asked, "Anything in there you could use for Vikki?"

"Not unless we come across a new engine while we're down here."

"That wouldn't be too surprising to be honest." I understood what it felt like to love something - obsess even. But Lincoln's father took his obsession to a whole new level. If I ever needed a lesson in hoarding I knew who to go to.

The two of us fell back into silence with me typing and with Lincoln digging around for more things to sell online.

With the notion of Philip still fresh in my head another question came to mind. "Did you ask about the apartment?"

"No." His answer came briefly, running a hand through his hair.

"Why not?" Confusion must have been clearly written on my features when Lincoln peered over. One look was all he needed to know he had to explain.

"I don't think you realized how much I owe him. I know for a fact that if I did end up landing that make-shift apartment he would lower the rent, on top of practically handing me freebies with Vikki. I don't want to live there feeling like I'm in constant debt."

As Lincoln shuffled around in a new section of the basement I digested what was said. "Is it really so bad to have people who want to help you in your life?"

His tongue darted out, running along his bottom lip, "No."

"You may not be able to see it yet Lincoln but I know you're going to do great things. It's just going to take a little time. Accepting some help every now and again isn't going to obligate you to owe anyone. We care about you. We want you to succeed. Do you think we're trying to help you just to get something in return?"

"I don't know."

Feeling challenged by his reply I rose a brow. Instantly he changed his tune.

Peering deeply into the box in front of him he reiterated his response. "No."

"Exactly. So accept help when you need it. We all know you'll find some way to make it up to us anyways, even if you don't have to."

The lingering silence would be off putting with anyone else, but with Lincoln I knew that meant he was considering what I had just said. Much better than a flat out 'no'.

"Just ask Phil about the space when you next see him. I'm sure your mom would appreciate not starting out with zero."

"Yeah. Okay. I'll ask about it. Wouldn't be surprised if it already has a tenant though."

"Won't matter. At least you tried."

With that being said Lincoln and I fell back into our familiar pattern. The clacking of my nails tapping against the plastic keys was the only audible sound. Just as I thought my fingers could ache no more another box would slide my way across the concrete floor. Needing a much deserved break I removed my computer from my lap and rose from my position.

The cracking of my spine caught Lincoln's attention.

"Granny."

"Oh, shush you." I chastised, finishing up my stretching. "It's been another hour. Where's my payment?"

As promised a piece of chocolatey goodness was lobbed in my direction. The Turtles wrapper crinkled in my grasp and in response saliva began to build. Chocolate made everything worth it.

Releasing the candy from its casing I took a long await bite. The chocolate and caramel swirled together on my tongue and I fought back the urge to moan as I chewed. Instead I joined Lincoln in the midst of of the towering boxes. Like in my previous location of the basement I found a short stack of packages to sit on. Allowing my legs to dangle I swung them back and forth, relieving the cramp I had in my lower limbs.

Lincoln was too focused on digging through containers of forgotten stuff to pay much attention to me behind him. I hummed to myself as I sat there, swinging my legs and secretly admiring the thick physique before me. Unexpectedly my phone made a beeping sound, taking my attention off the muscles in Lincoln's back.

Rolling my eyes I ignored the interruption only to re-pocket my phone.

"Anymore news on Silva?" For the last few days I've been receiving erratic text messages on the subject. Ella had been thrusting her theories in the group chat with Harper and I. The latest theory involved Silva's involvement with the Italian mafia. How that was even a possibility - I couldn't even tell you. High school gossip was nothing short of amusing at best.

"Well he's definitely not coming back." Lincoln responded, turning away from the box he was going through.

"How can you be so sure?"

Pausing what he was doing he spun to face me completely, leaning back on the dusty desk behind him. "Because that's what he wanted. He turned himself in for what happened to your car; threw Kane under the bus in the process."

"He wanted to get in shit from his father?" The bewilderment in my voice was detectible, even to my own ears. Most people aimed to please their parents, not upset them to the point of banishing them to reform school.

"He was counting on it." Lincoln shifted his position in order to cross his arms. "From what Felix tells me Silva pissed off a lot of people when he brought a knife to a fist fight. Jack doesn't exactly need a murder to happen in the place he tries to keep under the radar. Silva could have ruined all of that in one night, everything Jack has built for himself. And trust me when I say he's got a good thing going for him."

"So, Jack, he's the founder of The Pit?" My question was rewarded with a nod. "Was he the one with Felix that day Silva got arrested?"

Another bob of Lincoln's shaggy head. "Apparently he wanted to make sure everything was taken care of."

"Wait." I said, putting my hand out. "So, he was the reason behind Silva's arrest?"

"Indirectly. Silva turned himself in all on his own. Jack just made it so Silva would rather be shipped off to military school than be seen around here."

"What did he threaten him with?"

"His life." That would explain why he was hiding in the boy's bathroom. Lincoln pushed himself away from the desk, wiping the dust off his palms. "Just goes to show you never come between a man and his money."

Lately it felt like no truer words could be spoken. Lincoln's father proved how horrible that could turn out on Amelia's birthday, and again the night Amelia refused him while Lincoln, Sadie and I were at the park. Now that Lincoln was trying to put a stop to his secondary income once and for all I highly doubted Claudio DeLuca would take this sitting down.

"You've got that right..."

"You're over thinking things again." Lincoln reminded me only to creep closer.

"It's sort of hard not to."

Gently he nudged my knees apart, creating a nice little space for him to stand between. "No, it isn't. Just stop thinking."

"I don't exactly know how." I answered honestly, a short laugh escaping my throat. Overthinking was just something I did. It came naturally, like breathing. And trying to stop was like trying not to live. Eventually the burn was too much and I was left trying to catch up on every thought I ever missed.

"I'll show you."

With determination Lincoln closed the almost nonexistent space between us. The movement had me instinctively closing my eyes in anticipation. Lately this had been happening more and more. I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it, but it was an odd feeling, being so intimate with the boy who showered me in Kool-Aid a couple months prior. Lowering his head I felt the pickling of his jaw against mine. The short hairs brushed against my cheek as he planted kiss after kiss, making my mind go numb.

It was getting harder to think, let alone breathe, by the time his lips reached mine. My toes curled in delight, my fingers tangling themselves in his t-shirt.

When we separated, his warm breath fanned across my face, the smell of vanilla and mint wafting up my nose. "You done overthinking now?"

Pulling my bottom lip in between my teeth I nodded. There was definitely no room for thinking when kissing Lincoln Pierce. No matter how much I knew that a small, uncooperative part of my brain wanted me to say no - to say he hadn't stopped my wild thoughts - so he would ravish me with affection once more. That hormonal portion of my mind was so convincing but so, so dangerous. And the reason why I knew I had to escape the tight confides of the basement.

"Why don't I go pick up Sadie now?" I offered, "This way you can start getting ready for work."

"I can spare another half another before showering." He insisted, leaning in to peck the skin on my forehead. The lingering feel of his lips had my eyes involuntarily closing again.

"You're going to be late." I rebutted, ignoring the disappointment when I removed his hands from my thighs. To be honest, he could probably spare the half an hour but I knew that was all he would need to have me never wanting to leave again.

Lincoln groaned in disscontempt, intertwining his fingers with mine. "You're such a goody-goody, California."

"Maybe, but you still love me for it." I quipped while slipping down from the make-shift seat.

A meaningful, intense expression appeared on Lincoln's usually hard features, "Yeah, I do."

The confession had froze me in place, the only movement I felt was the fluttering of the butterflies erupting in my stomach.

"Let me go get Sadie. I'll be back." I promised, not wanting to step away.

The sweetness of another brief kiss was pressed upon my lips. "Alright. Hurry back. We can hang out a bit before I have to leave for work."

Wild thoughts took over my mind again at the prospect. A lot could be done before he had to leave for work later on today. Nodding I fought down the blush heating my cheeks before stepping out of the nook, almost tripping over a box in the process. Trying to recover I dashed up the stairs as fast as humanly possible.

I didn't know what was happening between Lincoln and I. All I did know was that I liked it.

* * * * *

It always felt so odd stepping into the daycare now, knowing I didn't have to go into work. It felt like I had no clue what was going on anymore. There were new name tags over each of the kid's hangers. Dawn had traded in the snow flakes for cute little silhouettes of rabbits and baby chicks. It was an appropriate change considering the weather. There were no more stray boots or hazardous puddles plaguing the hallways.

Turning the corner I peaked into my old room. The children were just getting up from their cots, half of the beds already empty. I assumed the rest were with Veronica doing the first bathroom run before heading outside.

"Long time no see." I piped at the sight of Dawn folding the children's' blankets. Her brown eyes peered at me from behind her glasses.

"Oh, Calista!" She chirped in excitement. Her high pitched voice had me grinning ear to ear. I missed her so much. "How are you? How's school? What brings you here? Missed me that much, eh?"

"Of course." I admitted, leaning through the upper half of the door to give my ex-coworker a hug. "Things are so different since I've been here. School's been going well though, just a lot of work."

She nodded along with my reply. "That's to be expected. Heard back from any schools yet?"

"No. Just early admission to Windsor, but I don't think I want to go that far."

"Don't worry," she said, squeezing my shoulders, "any of those schools you've applied to will be lucky to have you."

"Thanks Dawn." I smiled, hoping she was right. "Is Sadie with Veronica in the bathrooms?" Out of the few familiar faces in the preschool room none of them belonged to the little blonde angel.

"Sadie?" Dawn questioned, "She was picked up earlier this afternoon."

"She was?" That didn't seem right. There wasn't anyone else around to pick her up. "By who?"

"Were you not told? Sadie's father came in. He's such a well-mannered man. He explained everything. I completely understand as to why he hasn't come to pick her up now."

"And why is that?"

"Because he's always away on business." Dawn stated matter of factly. "He was saying how he was just returning from a year of work in Japan. It was no wonder Sadie was acting so shy around him. The poor girl hasn't spent much time with her father at all, has she?"

Shaking my head I tried to calm all the jumbling thoughts. "No... I guess she hasn't. Well," I forced out in a rush, "I guess I should get going then. Just wish someone would have told me he had come for her sooner."

"Of course, but at least you know she's with her father now." Dawn confirmed with that signature, bright smile of hers.

"Yeah. That's good to know." Pumping out a goodbye I dashed back down the hall in which I came. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, shaky fingers digging for my phone from within my worn satchel.

Hurriedly I punched in a string of numbers, cursing when I messed it up the first few times. I was back in my car by the time the line started ringing. Pressing speaker I prayed for Lincoln to answer as I twisted the key in the ignition.

"Did they mistaken you for a child and lock you in one of the rooms?" Lincoln joked upon answering.

"Lincoln, Sadie was already picked up." I announced, speeding out of the parking lot and running a stop.

The shuffling I once heard in the background came to an abrupt halt. "By who?"

Taking a deep breath I regurgitated the newly acquired information.

"Your father."