She raises one finger and I close my mouth.
“Protection,” she says, crisp and clear as a school bell. “Every single time. I don’t care if it feels like a hassle or feels better without it. I don’t care if you think you know your body. You use it.” Her eyes land on me, then Justin and then at Katy and Braydon.
Katy makes a small sound beside me that might be a laugh she’s swallowing.
“I used to have full confidence in Katy,” Mum continues, shaking her head slowly. “Full confidence. That girl, I said to myself, that girl has sense.”
“Mrs. Katherine, I still have sense —” Katy starts.
“And then,” Mum talks right over her, “she went and caught feelings for a hockey player.” Braydon presses his lips together. “No offence, Braydon.”
“None taken, ma’am,” he says, in a voice that is impressi
