Sarah squeezed his hand as they drove away, “Thank you for that. I know that couldn’t have been easy.” She brought his hand to her mouth and kissed it.

“Why does he call you Lynni?” Angel didn’t want her to think he was angry but he couldn’t help asking.

She shrugged. “From the moment I met him and I introduced myself as Sarah Lynn, his first remark was, you look more like a Lynn than a Sarah. After a while it turned into Lynni.” She kissed his hand again. “Does that bother you?”

Angel decided to just be honest. “I hate it.”

Sarah laughed. “Why?”

He turned to look at her brilliant green eyes staring at him. “Sound’s too damn sweet.”

Sarah told him about her mom not liking it either, but after years of trying to correct him she’d given up. Sarah was Lynni to Sydney and always would be. Great.

When they got to the women’s detention center they were still early. Sarah’s mom wasn’t done being prepped and handling paper work. They sat on a cold hard bench in the lobby. Sarah leaned against Angel and he put his arm around her. He could tell she was anxious and he kissed the top of her head.

“Almost, sweetheart.”

She nodded. A good hour later her mom finally walked out and they stood up. Angel was surprised at the lack of resemblance. Her mom’s hair was light brown and she had very dark eyes. The one thing that she did have was Sarah’s smile.

Sarah rushed to her and hugged her. After holding each other for a few minutes Sarah turned to introduce her to Angel.

Angel reached out to shake her hand but her mother hugged him hard instead. When she pulled away she examined him thoroughly. “She was right kid, you are a doll.”

“Never been called that before,” Angel smiled.

He took the bags her mother carried and Sarah’s mom locked her arm in his, then locked the other in Sarah’s arm. All three began the walk down the corridor. “So, what do you say, kids? Let’s forget the past and go start our new lives in California.”

Angel and Sarah glanced at each other and smiled. Yeah, Angel liked the sound of that.

Epilogue

The musicians made their way through the restaurant taking requests. Sarah sat with her mom, aunt, uncle and Valerie in one of the bigger booths. Angel’s parents had thrown a graduation party so the restaurant was open to guests only.

Sarah’s mom squeezed her hand and Sarah smiled. Her mom looked nothing like what she’d looked like when Sarah first visited her in jail. She’d gained weight and looked healthy and vibrant.

Her mom had been right there for her during the coaches’ trial. After Sarah pressed charges several other girls stepped forward to accuse him of the same thing. All in all he was tried on several different counts ranging from sexual molestation to attempted rape. But many others testified that he’d acted inappropriate with them as well. It took the jury only two hours to deliberate.

He was found guilty and after all the counts were added up he’d be doing at least thirty years before he’d even be up for parole. Angel couldn’t have been happier. But Sarah couldn’t help feeling bad for the guy. So young and his life was ruined. She’d kept those feelings to herself though and celebrated along with everyone else.

Sofia winked and smiled at her from where she was sitting with her parents, holding Eric’s hand. After Sarah had helped convince Angel, Sofia and Eric doubled with her and Angel to the prom. When she turned seventeen a month ago, she was allowed to date. Of course Eric staked his claim the moment he found out.

Angel and Alex had been doing their best to not give them a minute alone. Sarah winked back and giggled. They’d never know just how sneaky little sister could be.

When Sydney walked in with Carina, Sarah stood up to go meet them. She hugged Carina first then Sydney. His fingers ran through hers as they stood and talked. Sarah turned to see Angel walking toward them and quickly dropped Sydney’s hand. Old habits die hard.

“How’s it going, man?” Angel shook Sydney’s hand and clapped his shoulder.

Then he turned and hugged Carina.

Angel asked them about the drive and pulled Sarah gently to him by the waist. He was getting better with the whole Sydney thing, but a lot had changed. It was inevitable. Sarah stopped calling Sydney her best friend. At least around Angel, and the calls had been down to once a week ever since their talk, Angel’s patience only went so far.

Sarah had only gone back to Arizona the one time when they had picked up her mom. But since then, Syd and Carina had come out to visit several times and each time got a little better.

They walked over to the bar to get drinks.

“So, is your mom finally getting used to California?” Sydney asked.

Sarah told him about her mom having a hard time adjusting. “Yeah, she is now, even got a job. Angel’s parents said she could work here at the restaurant. She starts next week.”

“She won’t be doing the books though,” Angel smirked, handing her a soda.

Sarah glared at him, appalled, and he kissed her. “I’m kidding.”

Sarah rolled her eyes and continued. “We won’t be at my aunt’s very long, though. We’re getting an apartment real soon.”

“Do you still baby sit?” Carina asked.

“No. The restaurant has been real busy. I’ve been working here so much I just haven’t had the time.”

“That’s right, Lynni told me business is booming,” Sydney turned to Angel. “You guys ever think of opening up another one?”