The Wayward Sons: (Book 3) Starlee's Home

by Angel Lawson

  “That’s easier said than done,” Mrs. Delange replies.

  I feel my mother shift next to me, whispering to Leelee. God, the last thing we need is for her to insert herself in this. Everything about this situation is like her worst nightmare.

  “Judge Adams,” I hear her say, and I shake my head.

  “Mom, sit down.”

  She looks down at me and says, “Starlee, trust me.”

  Like Mrs. Delange says, that’s easier said than done.

  The judge looks at her and says, “State your name for the court.”

  “Star Jones. I’m Starlee’s mother and Mrs. Nye’s daughter.” He leans back in his seat and motions for her to continue. “I’ve spoken with Sierra and, well, I think she’s just exhausted. This whole thing has been overwhelming for her. Not only has she not had time to heal from her parents' death, but she took in her brother and three other boys—then the State put her through all of this. The last few weeks have been the straw that broke the camel's back.”

  “Thank you for your insight. As much as I regret saying it, the system isn’t always functional.” He sighs. “That, unfortunately, doesn’t help our current issue.”

  “Judge Adams, I may have a solution,” my mother continues. He raises his eyebrow when my grandmother stands next to my mother. “We’d like to step forward and provide temporary shelter for the boys. As it’s been noted, Jake is already eighteen. The other three have birthdays coming up in the next few months. My mother has known the boys for the past two years and feels very close to them. Due to her age and obligations, I wouldn’t suggest she take this on by herself, but I’m here and willing to assist in supervision.”

  “You agree to this?” he asks, Leelee. “You’re the one with residency.”

  “I do. I consider them part of my family—and after sending the twins back to their father, I think you owe them one.”

  The judge looks at the two caseworkers. “Do you have any objections?”

  “No,” they both say, looking a little relieved. Finding four placements for older boys like this can’t be easy.

  My mind swirls at the implications. Is my mother saying she’s staying? What does that mean for me? And if she’s acting as a guardian for them…

  I swallow, thinking how hard it will be to hide my true relationship with the boys from her.

  “I’ll sign off on ninety days.” He skims the paperwork in front of him. “That should give everyone time to turn eighteen. Mrs. Nye and Mrs. Jones will have to agree to a placement inspection and basic training.”

  “That’s not a problem, Your Honor,” my mother says.

  He stands and looks at each boy. “I don’t want one bit of legal trouble out of the four of you—understand?”

  “Yes, sir,” they all mumble. He leaves the room and the social workers call over my mother and grandmother. The twins and Dexter leave the table and meet me and Jake at the railing splitting the seating and the court. Dexter leans over the rain and pulls me into a tight, desperate hug.

  “Did you know about Sierra?” Charlie asks Dex once he releases me.

  “She came to me last night. I thought maybe she’d sleep on it and change her mind. I guess not.”

  “Wow,” George says. “Maybe she just needs a little space.”

  Dexter nods, running his hands through his hair. “I’m not sure what just happened.”

  “I think,” Charlie says slowly, “Starlee just became our foster sister.”

  George smiles devilishly, crossing his arms over his chest. “Oh, taboo. I like it.”

  “I’m happy for you guys,” I say, “but my mom, you know how she is. Or was. I don’t even know anymore.”

  Jake throws his arm around me. “Babe, it’s a good thing. I’m sure there will be more rules and we’ll break them and things are going to be a mess for a while, but it’s better than the alternative.”

  I nod, trying to wrap my head around it all.

  The wayward sons just became my brothers.

  42

  Starlee

  Two Weeks Later

  The scent of burned coffee assaults my nose as I walk up the steps to the Wayward Sun. The shop itself is closed—there’s a sign on the door telling people to come tomorrow. It’s a training day, and I pull open the door and step inside.

  George stands at the mural, touching up a few additions to the scene. There’s a line of blue down his jaw and he smiles when he sees me. Charlie sits at one of the tables, laptop open in front of him. One peek shows that he’s updating the website.

  Classic rock plays on the stereo. Even with Sierra gone, I’m not surprised this hasn’t changed. My mother was a child of the '70s after all.

  “What did I do wrong?” she asks, peering into the coffee machine. Dexter stands next to her with a line of frustration slashing his forehead.

  “There wasn’t enough water,” he says, glancing over at me while rolling his eyes. I fight a laugh, because it’s hilarious watching him force patience. He doesn’t have a choice.

  “Starlee!” my mom cries when she realizes I’m in the room. “The boys are getting me up to speed.”

  “I see.”

  She’s wearing a black Wayward Sun T-shirt and an apron. It’s weird seeing her behind the counter. It’s weird not seeing Sierra. I know the boys, Dexter in particular, hope she’ll be back soon.

  As my mother told Judge Adams, Sierra needed a little time. When we got back from court she’d already packed her bags and left, only leaving a note for Dexter explaining she needed time and space. She promised to keep in touch but so far, he’s only received a few messages that were left when she knew he’d be at school, unable to answer the phone. Overall, he’s sad but understanding. “She was barely an adult herself when she took me and the others in,” he’d told me out on the porch that first afternoon. “We stole that time from her and I understand if she needs some space to get it back.”

  Decisions were made quickly, and with Mrs. Delange, it was determined my mother would move into the house with the boys. I’d stay with Leelee in the cottage. This worked on many levels, as I still needed a little space from my mom as we healed our relationship. The other catch? My mother would work at the shop.

  That is…if she can figure out how to make a cup of coffee.

  She still doesn’t know about me and the guys. She thinks Dexter and I are dating, although I’ve seen her watching the four of us. More than once, she’s opened her mouth and shut it quickly. If anything, I think she’s giving everyone time to adjust. After that? I don’t think she can keep it up.

  The front door opens and Jake walks in, shivering from the cold. I ask, “At the gym?”

  “Yeah.” His nose wrinkles. “What’s that god-awful smell?”

  “My mom. Making coffee.”

  He laughs. “What are you doing here?”

  “Just came over to make sure everyone is ready for tonight.”

  His lips quirk. “To get our belated Christmas present from you? Definitely.”

  “When are you going to tell us what our gift is?” George asks from the backseat.

  “When we get there,” I say for the fourth time. Leelee let me borrow her car. If she’d known where I was going, I don’t think she would have been so generous.

  My heart hammers in my chest. I’m not just nervous about what I’m about to do. I mean, it’s going to hurt, I know that, but it’s a big step with the guys. It’s a little presumptuous, but it feels right. It’s something I want to do.

  I’d never been able to find them each the right gift. They mean so much to me as a group, as individuals, but the night after the hearing I was lying in bed and it came to me.

  I knew the perfect way to show them how I feel, and with my family combining with their family…

  Once I pull into the parking lot I know it won’t take them long to figure it out, and sure enough, Dexter looks over at me with a small, sexy grin. “Really?”

  “Yeah. Is that okay?”

&
nbsp; “It’s more than okay.” He lifts my arm from the center console and kisses me on the forearm.

  We pile out of the car and butterflies fill my stomach. Jake catches me by the waist. “You nervous?”

  “Terribly.”

  “It’ll only hurt for a minute, after that it feels good.”

  I’m not sure I believe that, but George nods in agreement. He pushes through the door, then holds it for me to pass through. A guy in the back walks out and greets the boys. They all know him, of course, they’ve been here before. He looks me up and down and says, “Same treatment?”

  “Yep,” Dexter replies for me.

  They each give me a kiss and when I sit in the chair, my arm braced to keep still, they hover around, watching, waiting. Jake is right, it does hurt at first, but then oddly, it feels kind of good. Thrilling. And when he’s finished and my skin is raw and red, I hold it up against theirs, feeling a kinship I’ve never had in my life.

  Family Don’t End in Blood

  Now more than ever, the words seem right. We’ve all had to fight to get where we are but the journey isn’t over. If we were an episode of Supernatural, Kansas would be playing in the background and the title “The Road So Far” would come across the screen.

  Things are better but not resolved. My mom. Sierra. Our futures? They’re all up for grabs.

  But for right now, we’ve all got a home. A family. But best of all? We’re all together.

  Readers! Friends!

  Let me tell you, I love the Wayward Sons. You’re not supposed to say that about your books any more than you say that about your kids but I did it and I do. I love them.

  There will be a book 4. I’d decided from the beginning to make this series encompass their senior year. Which right now seems to be a 4 book arc. I also after Sierra went and took off….well, I plan on giving her a story as well. Maybe just one. Maybe more. We’ll see. Something about her is calling to me. I hope to you, too.

  I need to give my thanks like always. To the awesome people at Angel’s Antics who have helped me through this dreary winter, to my amazing beta reader Jennifer who helps me with the hard choices (how much sex is too much in a YA?) to my ARC team who always comes through! And of course my ammmmmmaaaaazing cover designer Angstyg who is epicly epic and my editor VCedits who keeps up with my ridiculous pace.

  Don’t forget to check out my other series in the meantime—my catalogue is growing! And I’ll see you soon!

  Angel

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